Roberto Martinez’s return to manager at Everton

ROBERTO MARTINEZ faces a collision with Belgium to mark Everton’s return.

The Spaniard is the No. 1 choice of Toffees majority owner, Farhad Moshiri replace Rafa Benitez.

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Wayne Rooney and current assistant Duncan Ferguson are also on Moshiri’s shortlist.

But SunSport understands Everton’s approach to former manager Martinez was blocked by the Belgian FA.

It is believed that Martinez wants to stay and lead the Red Devils to the World Cup finals, which kick off on November 21.

But the 48-year-old had been hoping to function as Everton’s caretaker manager after Benitez was sacked on Sunday.

Belgium, ranked No. 1 in the world, has blocked that plan.

Unless Martinez can convince the bosses to change his mind, he faces a stay at international level rather than a return to Goodison.

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Everton will have to pay a £2m release clause in the Spaniard’s contract, which expires after the Qatar final ends on December 18.

Martinez managed Everton from 2013-16 – and was the first of five bosses to be sacked by Moshiri.

The former Wigan man won 61 of his 143 games at Merseyside and led Everton to fifth and 11th in the Premier League, before being sacked with the Toffees on 12th at the end of the 2015-16 season.

He was hoping put assistant Thierry Henry to work with him at Goodison.

Everton are currently 16th in the Premier League having won just once of their last 13 top-flight matches.

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