ROBERTO MARTINEZ faces a collision course with Belgium to seal an Everton comeback.
The Spaniard was the No 1 choice of Toffees majority owner Farhad Moshiri to replace axed Rafa Benitez.
Wayne Rooney and current assistant Duncan Ferguson are also on Moshiri’s shortlist.
But SunSport understands Everton’s approach for ex-boss Martinez has been blocked by the Belgian FA.
It is believed Martinez wants to stay in charge of the Red Devils for the World Cup finals, which kick off on November 21.
But the 48-year-old had hoped to operate as Everton’s interim boss as well after Benitez was sacked on Sunday.
Belgium, ranked No 1 in the world, blocked that plan.
Unless Martinez can persuade his employers to change their minds, he faces staying put at international level rather than returning to Goodison.
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Everton would have had to pay a £2million release clause in the Spaniard’s deal, which is due to expire after the Qatar finals end on December 18.
Martinez managed Everton from 2013-16 – and was the first of five bosses to be sacked by Moshiri.
The ex-Wigan gaffer won 61 of his 143 games on Merseyside and guided Everton to fifth and 11th in the Premier League, before being sacked with the Toffees in 12th late in the 2015-16 campaign.
He was hoping to bring in assistant Thierry Henry to work alongside him at Goodison.
Everton currently sit 16th in the Premier League having won just once out of their last 13 top-flight fixtures.
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