Everton turn to Ferguson again after Martinez talks stall
Everton set to appoint Toffees legend Duncan Ferguson as caretaker boss again after move for Belgium boss Roberto Martinez stalls over £2m release clause in his contract
- Everton’s move to bring Roberto Martinez back to the club has stalled
- The Spaniard, 48, was in charge at Goodison Park between 2013 and 2016
- Rafa Benitez was sacked by Everton over the weekend after loss at Norwich
Duncan Ferguson is on standby to resume his role as Everton caretaker boss after a move to recruit Roberto Martinez stalled.
Everton are back in the familiar territory of looking for a new manager following Sunday’s sacking of Rafa Benitez, who became the fifth man to be dismissed by majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri after a shocking run of results.
Martinez, the Belgium head coach, was under consideration on Sunday night to return to Goodison Park, six years after he was axed by Moshiri. The Catalan is eager to have another opportunity to work in the Premier League and would love to go back to Merseyside.
Duncan Ferguson (above) is on standby to resume his role as Everton caretaker boss
Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has been under consideration for an Everton return
His intention would be to have Thierry Henry as his assistant — but Everton have not been able to reach an agreement for Martinez, whose contract with the Belgian FA has a £2million release clause.
Everton are adamant that a thorough process is underway and they are examining the credentials of a number of other targets. Names linked to the post so far include Wayne Rooney, whose affinity with the club would make any move difficult to turn down, and former Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac.
But with no sign of an imminent appointment, Ferguson is preparing to ready the team for Saturday’s clash against Steven Gerrard’s resurgent Aston Villa — a role the Scot previously held with distinction in December 2019.
Martinez was Everton manager between 2013 and 2016 and could make a dramatic return
Martinez would want to work with his Belgium assistant manager Thierry Henry at Everton
Ferguson was in charge for three league games after Marco Silva was sacked and sparked a revival in fortunes, with a 3-1 win over Chelsea, 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford and a 0-0 draw against Arsenal at Goodison Park.
It is expected that Ferguson will lead training at the club’s Finch Farm base today and he has made it clear he would be happy to take on the role permanently. It is not clear, at this stage, whether Moshiri would be prepared to go that far.
Everton’s main business on Monday was clearing up the loose ends of Benitez’s departure and his backroom staff all followed the Spaniard out. They included assistant manager Paco de Miguel, first-team coach Antonio Gomez and Jamie Harley, the head of sports science. Cristian Fernandez, the fitness and conditioning coach, also exited.
Goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly, whose appointment predated Benitez, remains at the club.
Everton fired Rafael Benitez at the weekend and Martinez is among the potential replacements
Derby County manager and ex-Everton striker Wayne Rooney is another possible candidate
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