The head coach of the Belgium national team Roberto Martínez has announced his resignation from his position barely three hours after The Devils crashed out of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

“Roberto Martinez has announced that he will stop as national coach of the Belgian Red Devils. The decision was already made before the tournament,” the Belgium Football Association said in a statement on Thursday.

Belgium, who finished third in the last edition of the World Cup in Russia in 2018 failed to progress to round of 16, following a goalless draw against Croatia in their final group game, putting the final nail on the coffin.

A win against the 2018 finalists would have ensured Belgium a safe passage to the knockout stages but despite multiple chances they were unable to overcome Croatia.

The Red Devils finished third in Group F with four points behind group winners Morocco and runners up Croatian, abruptly bringing an end to the Spanish manager’s six-year stint with Belgium.

Martínez joined the European country in the summer of 2016 and led Belgium to their best finish in the history of FIFA World Cup when they defeated England 2-0 in the third-place playoff match in the 2018 World Cup to win bronze.

Under the former Everton manager, Belgium rose to number position in the FIFA World rankings in September 2018 and remained there until February 2021.