Former Everton striker Victor Anichebe says reappointing Roberto Martinez to replace Rafa Benitez would be an "absolute joke".
The Toffees sacked Benitez on Sunday after just six months in charge and now are in talks to bring Martinez back to Goodison Park.
Martinez, 48, managed Everton for three seasons from 2013, finishing fifth in his first term on Merseyside as he replaced newly-appointed Manchester United boss David Moyes.
But the Spaniard was relieved of his duties amid fan unrest and a significant drop in performance level in May 2016, switching to international football later that year by taking over as Belgium manager.
And Anichebe - who spent 10 years at the club before leaving less than three months into Martinez's reign - has warned his ex-employers about the potential return being "toxic."
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"I've heard the likes of Martinez and people like this - is that some kind of joke? That you'd bring Martinez back to the club. It's actually quite funny to think of it," the 33-year-old blasted, speaking to Sky Sports.
"They finished fifth in the first season [under Martinez] with David Moyes' team. The next season I think it was 11th twice.
"Sometimes I think people don't remember what happened before. There were protests to get him out of the club. So you've gone from one toxic situation to bring back another toxic situation that happened when Martinez was at the club.
"Yeah, he played good football but he's more of just a good talker. He's really good at talking.
"He's been manager at Belgium for a long time, who have been ranked No 1 for how long? Where's he finished?
"They haven't won anything, they've got knocked out against Wales [shortly before Martinez was appointed], Italy and France who are two really good teams too. They've been top ranked [of the FIFA World Rankings] for so long."
Anichebe, who was born in Nigeria but grew up in Liverpool, noted: "That's the first manager that [owner Farhad] Moshiri sacked, so why would you want to bring him back?
"You've gone through a manager that had the disconnect in Benitez with the fans.
"To bring back another that they held fan protests to get him out of the club - if they actually do that it's a joke again.
"It's an absolute joke to even think of it. He plays good football but it's not Everton."
Ahead of former player Wayne Rooney, Martinez has emerged as the frontrunner to take the vacant hot seat at Goodison.
The 48-year-old, who famously won the FA Cup with Wigan Athletic in 2013, is still highly regarded by Toffees chiefs and chairman Bill Kenwright is believed to be pushing to bring him back.
Reports claim that the club have already contacted the Belgian FA, who are reluctant to let Martinez go given there is a World Cup at the end of the year.
He guided the Red Devils to third place in 2018, with their golden generation now in their twilight years.
