Date published: Sunday 16th January 2022 7:09 – Jason Soutar
Former Everton boss Roberto Martinez is “firmly in with a chance” of being appointed Toffees manager on an interim basis, according to reports.
The Spaniard spent three years at Goodison Park before being sacked in May 2016.
He was close to finishing inside the top four in the 2013/14 season but ultimately fell short, finishing in fifth below Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Martinez – who is currently in charge of the Belgium national team – has been linked with a surprise return to Everton following Rafael Benitez’s sacking.
This is according to Daily Mail journalist Dominic King, who wrote on Twitter: “As being mentioned in many places, Roberto Martinez is now firmly in with a chance of being brought into Everton – potentially on an interim basis.”
As being mentioned in many places, Roberto Martinez is now firmly in with a chance of being brought into Everton – potentially on an interim basis.
— Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) January 16, 2022
Wayne Rooney has also been linked with the managerial role at Goodison Park.
Current Derby County manager Rooney played 117 games for Everton during two spells on Merseyside, breaking through at his boyhood club to make his first-team debut at the age of 16.
He returned in 2017 after a trophy-laden 13 years at Manchester United, where he won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Europa League, the FA Cup and three League Cups.
Ending his career as the all-time top goalscorer for both United and England, Rooney has since taken over at Derby, remaining with the club as the Rams entered administration and were docked a total of 21 points as a result.
Despite the financial issues, Rooney has guided Derby to eight wins this season and they climbed off the foot of the Sky Bet Championship with a win over Sheffield United on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Graeme Souness admits he was left “mystified” when Rafael Benitez took the at Everton job last summer.
“Benitez, I was mystified when he took that job because he’s worked in Liverpool, I think he still lives in Merseyside, he knows the strength and feeling between the two clubs,” Souness told Sky Sports.
“It would be nigh on impossible… there’s very few players have made that cross to go to the other club. For a manager to do that? Nah.
“Especially his brand of football would not be something the Evertonians would have been looking forward to and indeed in these 200 days they have enjoyed.”