Roberto Martinez has reportedly been approached about a sensational return to Everton.
The Spaniard is currently in charge of Belgium, a job he's held after spending three years at the helm at Goodison Park.
Everton sacked Rafa Benitez on Sunday, after just 200 days at the helm. His departure was precipitated by a shock 2-1 loss away to Norwich City on Saturday.
According to The Athletic, Everton have made an approach for Martinez to return on an interim basis.
The 48-year old is 10-months away from managing Belgium at the World Cup. Martinez steered them unbeaten through their qualifying group, comfortably ahead of the likes of Wales and Czech Republic.
Martinez is believed to been keen on the idea of combining the two jobs but, according to The Telegraph, the Royal Belgian Football Association don't share his enthusiasm. It's reported that the RBFA have denied him a dual role.
🗣 "I'm focused on my job here"
Graham Potter emphasises that he is happy at Brighton, and would not consider moving to Everton to replace Rafael Benitez. pic.twitter.com/5AedslsShy— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 17, 2022
The ex-Wigan manager led Everton to a 5th place finish in the Premier League during his first season in charge, but diminishing returns soon set in and he was sacked with one game remaining of the 2015-16 season.
His link to the Everton job appears to make more sense than some of the other names mentioned in the wake of Benitez's departure. Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Derby boss Wayne Rooney are some of the others to crop up in dispatches.
However, Brighton boss Graham Potter has categorically ruled himself out of the running. "I'm not here because I'm that good, it's because I'm at a good club," said Potter.
"I have good support, good people around me that give me support, give me trust. These things are important.
"We’re not as good as people think, but we’re not as bad as people think when things aren’t going too well as well."
"So that’s a no to Everton then?" Potter was asked. His response? "That’s my answer, yeah."
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