Roberto Martinez "honoured" to be named new Belgium boss

Roberto Martinez watches on during the Premier League game between Everton and West Ham United on March 5, 2016
© Getty Images
Former Everton boss Roberto Martinez intends to make new side Belgium "more attractive" after taking up his first position in international management.

Roberto Martinez has targeted a "special journey" with his new Belgium squad after swapping club management for a stint in the international game.

The Spaniard surprised many when taking up the job left vacant by Marc Wilmots, who departed following a disappointing Euro 2016 showing last month.

Martinez, who has spent his nine years as a manager to date in English football, claims that he will bring his own style of play in order to take second-in-the-world Belgium up another level on the big stage.

"I felt this was a great opportunity, a great challenge, and I'm thankful to the Belgian FA," The Guardian quotes him as saying. "I've been working with Belgian players and I've been intrigued by Belgian football, the talent of the Belgium players is there to be seen.

"I'm humbled, proud, honoured to be the head coach of Belgium as a country. It will be a special journey together, to support these players that have got the world at their feet.

"My style is very clear and it goes along with this Belgian team. We will always work to be on the ball and be an attacking team but you have to be able to defend. We want to play attractive football but we have to win."

Martinez had been among the frontrunners to take over at Hull City, having been sacked by Everton at the end of last season following a poor run of form.

Roberto Martinez watches on during the Premier League game between Everton and West Ham United on March 5, 2016
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