Roberto Martinez targeted in £700,000 burglary at Cascais home as police investigate foreign gang

A gang broke into the Cascais home of former Everton and Swansea manager Roberto Martinez while he and his wife, Beth Thompson, were out for dinner on Saturday afternoon, stealing designer watches and jewellery believed to be worth as much as £700,000. Portuguese police said the couple were away for around four hours, during which the burglars forced a window to gain entry into the luxury property in the coastal town west of Lisbon.

Forensic experts have swept the house for clues as Portugal's PSP police carry out the investigation. Officers are examining the possibility that the break-in was carried out by a foreign gang specializing in high-end property crimes. The total number of items taken has not been disclosed. State broadcaster SIC cited a figure of about £87,000 for the watches and jewellery, while Correio da Manhã reported that Martinez and his wife estimate the value at around £700,000.

Martinez, 52, has built a long coaching résumé after playing for clubs including Wigan, Motherwell and Chester City. He later managed Wigan again, Swansea and Everton in England, before taking charge of Belgium’s national team and then becoming Portugal’s head coach in January 2023. In June, he guided Portugal to their second UEFA Nations League title after a 5–3 victory over Spain on penalties. He married Beth Thompson in Swansea in June 2009; the couple, who have two daughters, Luella and Safiana, met in 2002 when Martinez was with Motherwell. Their wedding reportedly featured their Pomeranian dog, Leo, acting as chief bridesmaid, with ex-Man United star Jordi Cruyff as best man.

The incident comes as Portugal’s security services continue to monitor a region where high-value home invasions have periodically occurred. Martinez and Thompson have not spoken publicly about the break-in, and police have not announced any arrests or suspects. In recent years, similar security concerns have affected residents in and around the greater Lisbon area, underscoring ongoing concerns about property crime in the region.

Separately, a high-profile case from December 2021 involved Nicolas Otamendi, then a Benfica player, who was ambushed returning home from a match near Lisbon. Otamendi and his family were shaken but unharmed, and the incident prompted renewed discussion about protecting prominent athletes and their families in the area. The current investigation into Martinez’s home is ongoing, and authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward.