Martinez denies Barcelona contact amid Koeman sacking talks
The Belgium manager claims he did not ask Jordi Cruyff to see if there will be a vacant place at the Blaugrana.
Roberto Martinez
claimed he is not in contact with
Barcelonaas speculations raise regarding him being a potential successor for
Ronald Koeman
.
The Barca manager is on the verge of being sacked after their 3-0 loss at the hands of Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Martinez and the Catalans sporting advisor Jordi Cruyff are close friends, and Joan Laporta reportedly admires the Belgium manager.
However, the Spanish tactician has downplayed talks of his possible return to his homeland.
"
There is absolutely nothing. There are no contacts,"
Martinez told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.
"The basis of my friendship with Jordi is that we separate the private from the professional.
"At no time did I ask Jordi what my situation was in Barcelona. I don't think he has the function of appointing a possible new coach."
Martinez’s contract with the Red Devils expires after World Cup next year and he insisted that he is committed to the job he has, as his side get ready to face Italy in the Nations League semifinals on Thursday.
"
I would love for us to be the first European country to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar. That is the challenge after the Nations League final,"
he added.
"But in football you never know what will be done tomorrow. I wake up every morning as Belgium coach until the last day of my contract, but I realise that many circumstances can arise along the way."
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