Portugal boss Martinez reveals ‘special’ truth behind historic cup shock
The 52-year-old sat down with BBC Sport to discuss a career that has taken him from the lower leagues to the international stage.
It is part of The Football Interview series, which explores the mindset and motivation behind the sport’s biggest names.
The Latics fairytale
Martinez first joined Wigan as a player in 1995.
Few could have predicted he would mastermind one of the competition’s greatest upsets nearly two decades later.
The Spaniard led the Latics to a stunning 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the 2013 final at Wembley.
That triumph remains a defining point in his managerial career.
It came shortly before the club were relegated from the Premier League and his subsequent move to Everton.
A life shaped by football
The former Belgium boss revealed that his obsession with the game began in infancy.
“For me, it’s a way of living. I was born in a family that was breathing football,” Martinez said.
“My dad was a coach at that time – a local team. I would be the mascot and I’ve got pictures where probably at the age of two and three, I would be listening to the team talks.”
He described the dressing room environment as his “safe zone” during childhood.
“I thought that all the kids did that. I thought that was the normal thing to do. And then I realised that it was the opposite.”
International ambitions
Martinez took charge of the Portuguese national team in January 2023.
His tenure has included guiding the Euro 2016 winners to further Nations League success.
A key part of his role involves managing global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Despite the outside noise often surrounding the forward, Martinez insists the task is “easy” due to the veteran’s elite professionalism and drive.
The full interview will be broadcast on BBC One from 00:15 GMT on Sunday, 15 February.