A GANG of burglars have broken into the Portuguese home of former Everton and Swansea manager Roberto Martinez and his Scottish wife Beth Thompson and stolen designer watches and jewellery reportedly worth up to £700,000.
The criminals struck while the Spanish soccer boss, who now coaches Portugal’s national team, went out for around four hours on Saturday afternoon with his partner.
They are thought to have forced a window to break into the luxury property in the upmarket town of Cascais a short drive west of Lisbon.
Police are working on the theory the burglars knew the couple were going to be out and made a thorough search of every room for valuables confident they had several hours to act without being caught.
Forensic experts have already swept the house in the centre of Cascais for clues.
Portugal’s PSP police force, which is heading the investigation into the break-in, is said to be focusing on the theory it was carried out by a foreign gang specialising in high-end property heists.
The number of items taken has not been revealed.
Portuguese national broadcaster SIC is reporting the watches and jewellery pinched were worth around £87,000, but respected daily Correio da Manha says Martinez and his wife have estimated the value of the valuables stolen at around £700,000.
The 52-year-old, who played for teams including Wigan, Motherwell and Chester City before going on to manage a number of English clubs including Wigan, as well as Everton and Welsh side Swansea, has yet to make any official comment.
He managed the Belgian national side before becoming Portugal’s head coach in January 2023.
On 9 June, Martinez guided Portugal to their second UEFA Nations League title after defeating the reigning European champions Spain 5–3 on penalties.
He married Scots wife Beth at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Swansea in June 2009 with their Pomeranian dog Leo as chief bridesmaid and ex-Manchester United star Jordi Cruyff as best man.
The couple met in 2002 while he was playing for Motherwell. Beth was on a student placement at a hotel in Glasgow at the time. They have two daughters named Luella and Safiana.
In December 2021 former Manchester City star Nicolas Otamendi was ambushed by a gang of robbers as he returned to his home south of Lisbon after a game with current side Benfica.
Reports at the time said he had a belt tied around his neck before being forced inside the property which his family were inside.
Argentinian Otamendi admitted afterwards he and his family had been left shaken by the drama.
Using heart and prayer emoticons he wrote on social media: “Hello to everyone, my family and I are okay.
“Many thanks for your messages, they help us to get through this situation better. A huge hug.”
His manager admitted at a press conference after news of the incident emerged that the footballer, whose wife Celeste Rey and children Valentin and Mia were inside the house when it was targeted, was “super scared.”
