Belgium gaffer Roberto Martinez extends deal until 2022 World Cup - Report

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.

Brussels: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 a leading newspaper.

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.

Roberto Martinez

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).

Martinez, 46, had already said in interviews over the last weeks he wanted to stay in charge in order to take Belgium to Euro 2021, where they are drawn in Group B and will play Denmark, Finland and Russia.

The team, who are top of the FIFA world rankings, had qualified in imposing fashion, by winning all 10 qualifiers, scoring 40 goals and conceding just three.

Spanish-born Martinez, the former Wigan Athletic and Everton manager, is popular among the players.

Roberto Martinez

With much of Belgium's 2018 World Cup squad set to be in their early 30's or approaching retirement by the end of the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

The next two tournaments will be seen as crunch moments for a golden generation.

Eden Hazard will be 31-years-old and Kevin de Bruyne 30 after Qatar, and will be primed to lead Belgium to rival France's reigning champions.

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