Cristiano Ronaldo was relishing the “fresh air” that Roberto Martinez would bring to Portugal, but Bruno Fernandes did not see the need.
Bruno Fernandes does not believe Portugal needed the “breath of fresh air” that Cristiano Ronaldo was looking forward to under Roberto Martinez.
Martinez took charge of Portugal for the first time this international break, replacing Fernando Santos after the World Cup.
The former Belgium coach oversaw 4-0 and 6-0 defeats of Liechtenstein and Luxembourg to open Euro 2024 qualification.
Captain Ronaldo has scored twice in each game, having previously spoken of the “fresh air, different thoughts and mentality” with Martinez at the helm.
Despite the positive start, it is not an assessment team-mate Fernandes agrees with.
“No, it’s just a new coach with new ideas,” the Manchester United midfielder told RTP3 after Sunday’s win against Luxembourg.
“There is no breath of fresh air at all, it is just a transitional period.
“The atmosphere in the national team has always been good. There was never anything that wasn’t fresh, so I think it’s just a new dynamic, a new coach and you have to adopt his ideas.”
Fernandes was handed his Portuguese debut by Santos, leading the Selecao to their first major honor at Euro 2016.
Portugal failed to build on this strong start to the coaching mandate, exiting the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020 at the last 16 stage.
Santos then retired after a shock quarter-final exit at the hands of Morocco at Qatar 2022, with Ronaldo eliminated for the knockout rounds.
