Everton want to hire former manager as Benitez is sacked

Negotiations are ongoing for the return of former manager Roberto Martinez.

The appointment of Rafa Benitez as manager of Everton was a very unpopular one due to his antecedent with fierce rivals Liverpool. The Spaniard struggled to deliver to win the hearts of many Evertonians, who did not warm up to him.

Results in recent weeks spiralled for Everton, putting pressure on the Champions League-winning manager. The last straw was the 2-1 away defeat to relegation-threatened Norwich City.

Everton are now in the market for a new manager and want to land former manager Roberto Martinez. The Belgium manager looks interested in returning to the everyday shenanigans of the Premier League. Up to six managers have already been sacked in the Premier League this term, with Newcastle being the last EPL side to change gaffers.

Everton sack Benitez, interested in Martinez

Over the weekend, Everton showed Rafa Benitez the door following a spate of poor results that has seen the club drop further down the league table. The Toffees haventified a replacement for the Spaniard and have already opened talks with the Belgian FA over signing their manager Roberto Martinez.

As per the Daily Express, Martinez, who emerged as the favourite to replace Benitez, has shown an interest in returning to the club and helping to resurrect the club. Roberto Martinez led Belgium to the number one spot in the world ranking and made them one of the favourites to win the World Cup in Qatar later in the year.

The pain of seeing Everton plunged into relegation woes is too much for the Belgium manager, and he favours a return to his former club.

Everton and the Belgium FA talked well into Sunday night as they strove to reach an amicable position. Martinez was favourite for the job in the summer but was dramatically axed at the last minute for Benitez by owner Farhad Moshiri.

The many sins of Benitez

Rafa Benitez was dismissed from his role as manager of Everton after less than seven months and 25 games in charge. Benitez became the manager with the shortest reign in the club's history. The dismissal came after another shocking result against Norwich City, who are rooted to the bottom of the table.

Benitez had tried to maintain complete control at the club. He engineered the exit of thector of Football Marcel Brands and French full-back Lucas Digne. News making the rounds also suggest that he turned down the opportunity to sign Philippe Coutinho, despite the club agreeing on a deal that facilitated a move to Merseyside.

With Benitez gone, Everton want to quickly finalise the arrival of Martinez before their weekend game against Aston Villa. Martinez should arrive with Thierry Henry.

Club owner Moshiri is also interested in bringing former Everton player and Derby manager Wayne Rooney, with former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard another alternative.

There were talks of Duncan Ferguson taking over in an interim capacity. Thea has been shelved, with the arrival of Martinez close.

Benitez released a statement on his website, declaring his sadness at leaving the club.