Belgium coach Roberto Martinez is close to extending his contract to lead the country until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, local media reported on Sunday.

Martinez, 46, reached an agreement in principle with the Belgian football federation three weeks ago, according to La Derniere Heure newspaper.

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The Spaniard’s contract was due to run out after this year’s European Championship, which was pushed back until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Reports indicate Martinez, who took Belgium to third place at the 2018 World Cup, would double his current annual salary of 1.2 million euros ($1.33 million).

The former Everton, Wigan and Swansea manager replaced Marc Wilmots as Belgium boss in August 2016.

Belgium were drawn alongside Denmark, Finland, and Russia in Group B for Euro 2020. They qualified as Group I winners with a perfect record across 10 matches, scoring 40 goals and conceding just three in the process.

[AFP]

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