Everton’s Roberto Martinez request rejected as next manager shortlist shrinks to five | Football | Sport

Roberto Martinez will not return to England to manage Everton in place of Rafa Benitez after the former Toffees boss was given his marching orders earlier this month, according to reports. The 48-year-old, who is currently in charge of Belgium, had been widely tipped to fill the vacancy at Goodison Park over the coming days in the wake of the club’s shambolic defeat at the hands of Norwich City over the weekend.

However, it seems as though Martinez will be prevented from making the move after Everton’s request was turned down by the Royal Beigian Football Association.

The Merseyside club were hoping that he would be allowed to take over while remaining in his post with the Red Devils, but the nation’s governing body have taken a firm stance against the proposed switch, according to The Telegraph.

It is claimed that Martinez was interested in the possibility of returning to Everton, the club he managed between 2013 and 2016, but will not be permitted to share his managerial duties over the two jobs.

He has already promised the Belgians that he will not leave his international post ahead of this year’s World Cup in Qatar.

It seems as though Everton’s bid to bring Martinez back to the club is now all but over, meaning they will be forced to look elsewhere in order to source a permanent replacement for Benitez.

A number of other managers have been mentioned in connection with the vacancy as of late, with Martinez having initially been listed on a six-man shortlist for the role, according to Sky Sports.

However, the rejection of Everton’s request to re-appoint their former boss is likely to have seen the number of contenders reduced to five.

The report claims that Duncan Ferguson and Graham Potter are both under serious consideration behind closed doors at Goodison Park, while Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney have also been discussed by the club’s hierarchy.

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