Roberto Martinez is the leading candidate to replace Rafael Benitez as Everton manager, sources told ESPN.
The Belgium The coach received strong support from the following Goodison Park hierarchy fired Benitez after just 200 days in power.
Former Everton striker Wayne Rooney now manages Championship club Derby county, is being linked with a return to Goodison, but sources have told ESPN that Martinez is a leading contender at this stage.
Martinez, who spent three years in charge of Everton from 2013-2016, is being seen by senior figures at the club as both a short-term option and a long-term successor to Benitez.
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Having led Belgium to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar later this year, Martinez’s determination to look at the job he started in 2016 could prevent him from taking up the full-time job for Everton for come after the tournament.
But missed out on his return to Everton last summer due to Farhad Moshiri’s decision to hire his ex Liverpool Benitez coach Martinez is currently a leading candidate to return to the club due to his success with the Belgian national team and his reputation for attractive attacking play.
Martinez is favored by Marcel Brands, who has stepped down from his role as Everton’s director of football at the end of 2021, when Carlo Ancelotti leaves the club to Real Madrid last summer. But even though he was considered a candidate for Brands, he still supported Goodison.
Assistant coach Duncan Ferguson is expected to take charge of the game against Everton Aston Villa Next Saturday, allow the club to spend time during the international break, after which a temporary or permanent manager will be appointed.
