Everton’s Bid for Martinez Gets Rejected

Everton FC has hit a snag in hiring Roberto Martinez as the club’s new head coach.

Only six-and-a-half months ago, Rafael Benitez was announced as Everton’s coach. Come Sunday, 16 January, however, he got the sack in the wake of their recent 2-1 defeat at Norwich. All in all, the club recorded five wins, four draws and ten losses in 19 league games.

Now, according to reports, the Toffees’ board formally approached Martinez – who previously coached the English outfit between 2013 and 2016 before being fired himself – to once again take over the manager’s reins.

The Spaniard currently coaches the Belgium national team. As such, talks between Everton officials and the Royal Belgian Football Association began in the wake of Benitez’s sacking to negotiate a deal.

However, the association apparently shot down the officials’ approach on Monday, 17 January, as they do not want their campaign leading up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar to be disrupted should Martinez walk out on his current contract.

Other potential candidates include Derby County coach Wayne Rooney, Roma coach Jose Mourinho, and Everton assistant manager Duncan Ferguson.

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