‘Absolutely bizarre’ - pundit makes frank claim if favourite Roberto Martinez lands Everton manager’s job

Roberto Martinez has emerged as the frontrunner to become Everton's next manager.

The former Toffees boss is the early favourite to make a surprise return to Goodison Park after the sacking of Rafa Benitez.

Martinez succeeded David Moyes in 2013 spent three years in the driving seat.

In his first season, the former Wigan chief ensured a fifth-place finish and Everton collected a club-record points total (72) in the Premier League.

‘It’s a non-starter’

But things then unravelled. Back-to-back mid-table finishes meant that Martinez was axed before the final game of the 2015-16 season amid intense pressure from supporters.

Yet the Spaniard is in the frame to leave his role as Belgium manager to come back to Everton. It’s been reported that Martinez has already been offered the role.

However, former Liverpool and Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy believes it would be "absolutely bizarre" if that was the case.

Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “I think it's a non-starter. I think it would be absolutely bizarre because of the way he went.

“There was a protest to get him out. It started great for him, of course, in that first season when they got a record points total.

“I know there is an argument he inherited a really good side from Moyes but you've still got to win the games.

“But the second and third season - especially the third season, they went out with a bit of a whimper and were mid-table - the fans protested to get him out.

“What you'd be doing is replacing a manager the fans don't want with another manager fans didn't want the last time he was in charge. It would seem ludicrous, I don't see that working at all.”

Reports suggest Everton would have to pay a £2 million release clause to Belgium if they wanted to bring back Martinez.

The likes of Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Graham Potter have all been linked.

As has fans' favourite Duncan Ferguson, who is currently assistant manager.

Murphy believes he would be perfect to take charge on an interim basis.

“The obvious, logical solution, for the time being, is to get a feel-good factor about the place, get the fans on board,” Murphy added.

That means giving big Dunc the reins for a little while.

“They've got some games coming up where they've got a chance. The last thing you want to do is put the players on the pitch feeling pressure from the supporters. You want the fans on board.

“The next time Everton play at Goodison, if big Dunc is in charge then the fans will be behind him, behind the players, there will be fresh impetus and it'll be a different game going there.”