Belgium coach Roberto Martinez stepped down following his side’s World Cup first-round exit earlier today, saying he had made the decision to end his six-year tenure some time ago and would have left even if they had been crowned champions.

It ends a long spell in charge of the side in which he took them to number one in the world rankings and third place at the World Cup in Russia.

Belgium missed numerous opportunities to score the goal against Croatia that would have taken them through to the knockout stages, but had to settle for a goal less draw and third place in the pool behind Morocco and Croatia.

It summed up a disappointing campaign in which they scored only once across three matches, and made more headlines for reported off-field squabbles than their football on the pitch.

Martinez admitted this might be the end for some of the team’s ‘Golden Generation’ too, but believes he leaves the team with a fresh band of young players to reignite the European side.