Roberto Martinez on the ‘Very Special’ FA Cup Miracle and Why Managing Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘Easy’

In the pantheon of FA Cup fairy tales, one story stands out for its sheer, unadulterated improbability. It’s a story not of a giant, but of a minnow operating on a shoestring, defying physics, finance, and footballing logic to lift the oldest cup competition in the world. At the heart of it was a thoughtful, tactically audacious Spaniard, Roberto Martinez. In an exclusive conversation for the BBC’s groundbreaking new series, The Football Interview with Kelly Somers, Martinez opens up on that defining day, his unique managerial philosophy, and the surprising simplicity of handling a global icon like Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Wigan Miracle: A Triumph of Belief Over Budget

When Roberto Martinez first arrived at Wigan Athletic as a player in 1995, the club was a world away from the Premier League. Nearly two decades later, as their manager, he engineered one of the greatest upsets in the competition’s storied history. The 2013 FA Cup final pitted his Latics, a team battling relegation, against the financial juggernaut of Manchester City. The result—a 1-0 victory sealed by a last-gasp Ben Watson header—was more than a win; it was a validation of an entire ideology.

Speaking to Kelly Somers, Martinez reflected on the profound meaning of that day. “It was very special, not just for the result, but for what it represented,” he explained. “It was a reward for a culture, a way of working. We weren’t just a team; we were a community project with a Premier League status.” Martinez’s Wigan were renowned for their commitment to a possession-based, attacking style, a brave choice for a club perennially in the bottom half. The FA Cup triumph was the ultimate justification of that courage.

Expert Analysis: Martinez’s achievement remains a masterclass in tactical setup and psychological fortitude. On the day, Wigan’s disciplined 3-4-3 formation stifled City’s creative hubs, and every player executed a specific, demanding role. The victory wasn’t a fluke; it was the culmination of a philosophy built over four years. It proved that with clear identity and unwavering belief, structural disadvantages can be overcome. This win continues to inspire every underdog in the cup today.

The Martinez Mindset: Beyond Tactics on a Board

The Football Interview series promises to delve into the mindset and motivation of sport’s biggest names, and Martinez’s segment is a quintessential example. For him, management has always transcended formations. “The job is about people first,” he told Somers. “You have to create an environment where a player feels trusted, feels they can make mistakes and still be supported. The tactical understanding comes after that human connection.”

This people-centric approach is his trademark. It’s what allowed him to build such a resilient unit at Wigan and later achieve success with the Belgian national team and Portugal. He doesn’t just manage footballers; he curates talent and nurtures mentality. Key pillars of his management style include:

• Authentic Communication: Being clear, consistent, and honest in every interaction.
• Empowerment: Giving players ownership of their roles and responsibilities on the pitch.
• Positive Framing: Focusing on solutions and possibilities, not limitations and fear.
• Cultural Builder: Instilling a collective identity that is bigger than any individual.

“Managing Ronaldo is Easy”: The Secret Behind the Statement

Perhaps the most striking revelation from the interview was Martinez’s candid take on managing one of football’s most monumental figures. “People might be surprised, but in many ways, managing Cristiano Ronaldo is easy,” Martinez revealed. He was quick to clarify that ‘easy’ doesn’t mean without challenge, but rather straightforward in terms of professional expectation.

“You are dealing with the ultimate professional,” Martinez continued. “His commitment is absolute, his standards are a benchmark for everyone, and his motivation is intrinsic. The ‘easiness’ comes from not having to motivate him. The challenge, and the joy, is channeling that incredible drive for the benefit of the team structure. He is a manager’s dream in terms of dedication.” This insight peels back the curtain on the reality of working with superstars. The difficulty often lies in managing ego, but with Ronaldo, Martinez suggests the primary task is integrating an unparalleled winning mentality into the collective framework—a challenge he clearly relishes with the Portuguese national team.

Defining Futures: Predictions and Lasting Legacy

Looking ahead, Martinez’s perspective is invaluable. His work with Portugal’s golden generation, including Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, and Rafael Leão, positions them as a formidable force for the upcoming European Championships. Prediction: Under Martinez’s holistic guidance, Portugal will be a more cohesive, tactically flexible unit than in previous cycles, making them a favourite to go deep in the tournament, with Ronaldo’s role as a lethal finisher and leader being perfectly optimized.

Furthermore, the legacy of that 2013 FA Cup win endures. It serves as a permanent reminder that football is not purely a transaction of financial power. It showed that a well-defined project, built on trust and a bold idea, can reach the summit. For upcoming managers, the Martinez doctrine offers a blueprint: have the courage of your convictions, connect with your players as humans first, and never let budget define your ambition.

Conclusion: Roberto Martinez’s conversation on The Football Interview with Kelly Somers is more than a retrospective; it’s a lesson in modern leadership. From the rain-soaked pitch at Wembley to the intense pressure of international management, his journey underscores that the core of the game remains human. The ‘very special’ FA Cup win was a miracle built on process. And managing a legend like Ronaldo is ‘easy’ when you understand that true greatness craves structure, respect, and a shared vision. This interview, dropping this weekend across BBC platforms, is an unmissable insight into the person behind the manager—a thinker, a believer, and a permanent architect of the possible.

Source: Based on news from BBC Sport.