Roberto Martinez and Julen Lopetegui will make their international management bows when Belgium and Spain clash in an international friendly at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Thursday.
The Belgium FA caught everyone by surprise when they named Martinez, who had recently been let go by Everton, as the new manager of the team, after Marc Wilmots' underwhelming spell with the talented outfit ended following Euro 2016.
While Martinez is a manager with plenty of nous going forward, he looked quite inept in improving a team's defence, and, therefore, it will be interesting to see how this Belgium team goes. To help with matters, Martinez named a superstar as an assistant in the shape of Thierry Henry and the Arsenal legend will certainly take plenty of the spotlight and focus away from the Spaniard, which might help him to get this team working in the manner he wants without the added pressure from outside.
"Attitude is the most important thing," Martinez said before the international friendly which is being played on Thursday after it was called off last November due to a security threat. "We know we have the talent but talent on its own will take us only so far. This campaign will be a lot tougher than people imagine.
"It's been very busy, no time to think. It has been interesting putting the staff together, meeting the staff, meeting the players, seeing the younger groups of players, working with the federation.
"I've never believed you have to be a certain age or at the end of your career to become an international manager. The challenge for me was to work with this group of players and look forward to try to qualify for the World Cup."
Lopetegui was also an interesting choice for manager and another who probably has his best managerial years ahead of him. Taking over from someone who guided Spain to the World Cup and European Championship title is never easy, but it was clear watching the side in the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016, that some freshening up was needed.
Spain will hope Lopetegui is the man to do just that. "We have to focus on things that we can control, what happens on the pitch," Lopetegui said. "It's not a case of changing something specific but rather putting order in the great potential this team has.
"We have great players and we need to be able to manage games how we want. This national team has achieved historic feats. I will try to give it what I think it needs and nothing more."
Where to Watch Live
Belgium vs Spain is set to begin at 8.45 p.m. local time (12.15 a.m. IST, 7.45 p.m. BST). Live Streaming and TV information below.
India: TV: No live coverage.
Belgium: TV: La Une and Een.
Spain: TV: Telecinco Espana.
USA: TV: ESPN3. Live Streaming: Watch ESPN.
Middle East and North Africa: TV: Bein Sports. Live Streaming: Bein Sports Connect.
South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa: TV: SuperSport 3. Live Streaming: SuperSport live video.
