Roberto Martínez was “intrigued”. Intrigued as to how Belgium could produce “this generation” of footballers; intrigued as to whether there are more to follow; intrigued, also, as to why the British system has got it so wrong over the years. “And I can be critical of the British game because I have been part of it and I am to blame as well,” he says.

Martínez is in the reception area of the hotel that forms part of Belgium’s impressive national training centre at Tubize, 20 minutes from Brussels, close also to his new home in Waterloo, as he prepares for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Greece on Saturday, followed by a friendly away to Russia.

Challenging at the World Cup finals in Russia next year is the goal for Belgium’s coach, appointed last August after being sacked by Everton. But there is more to his role – which is partly why he stepped away from club management to “immerse” himself in international football.

“In ’95, at the age of 21, a little Spaniard, new to the UK, to go to the old Third Division (as a midfielder with Wigan Athletic), was a brave move,” Martínez says when I ask whether taking the job, moving to Belgium, was just that also. “In football you have to be fully committed, give your all, and then I don’t think there is any difficulty.”