 Martins started his managerial career in 2006, with lowly Quimper Cornouaille FC.In the following year he was named his first club's director of football, but had a brief spell as interim coach in the beginnings of the 2008–09 campaign; he subsequently stayed on the bench, now as an assistant for the Ligue 2 team.During 2011–12 and 2012–13, Martins acted as caretaker for Brest as a replacement for sacked Alex Dupont and Landry Chauvin, respectively.