Roberto Martinez had been backed in from as long as 25/1 into a shortest price of 2/1 for the Scotland job.
The hunt for Steve Clarke's successor has taken a fresh twist, with Roberto Martinez suddenly emerging as the man bookmakers expect to walk into Hampden. The Spaniard's departure from the Portugal job has transformed him from an outside shout into the clear front-runner, and punters have moved quickly to back him.
He has moved from as long as 25/1 when markets opened to as short as 2/1 today.
Clarke walked away from the national team job immediately after Scotland's group-stage exit at the World Cup, bringing an end to a hugely successful seven-year reign that included three major tournament qualifications.
The Scottish FA, now with new chief football officer Craig Mulholland involved in the process, has made clear that no candidate is being ruled out on the basis of nationality as it tries to find a replacement before the Nations League campaign resumes in September.
Next Scotland Manager Odds
Speculation over Clarke's successor began almost as soon as his resignation was confirmed, with names ranging from established international coaches to domestic favourites thrown into the mix. Ange Postecoglou was an early frontrunner but removed himself from contention by agreeing a lucrative move to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, a switch that has reshuffled the entire betting market.
That left space for other candidates to move up the list, and the picture has shifted again this week following developments in Portugal. Martinez left his post as Portugal head coach after their last-16 World Cup exit, with the Portuguese federation confirming the end of his contract and that of his coaching staff.
His sudden availability, combined with his profile as a former Premier League title winner with Everton's most memorable modern seasons, has made him an attractive option for an SFA board keen to appoint quickly but sensibly.
Elsewhere, Rafael Benitez has publicly flagged his own interest in the vacancy, telling talkSPORT he had watched Scotland during the World Cup and would be open to taking on international management, though he stressed any move would depend on being given the right resources. Given his recent salary demands in Greek football, however, a deal for the former Liverpool and Chelsea boss looks financially unrealistic for the governing body.
Who is favourite to be the next Scotland manager?
Roberto Martinez has moved to the top of the betting after news broke of his Portugal exit, with odds compilers reporting a significant swing in his direction. Martinez is priced as short as 2/1, having tumbled from 8/1 before his departure was made official yesterday, with 100% recent bets via oddschecker landing on the Spaniard to take charge at Hampden Park. He is a best price of 9/1 with BetMGM.
Falkirk manager John McGlynn sits just behind at 6/1 (bet365), continuing to attract support as the leading candidate with genuine domestic pedigree. David Moyes, Alex Neil and Steven Naismith are grouped together further back in the market, while former Manchester United caretaker boss Darren Fletcher is also in the conversation at longer odds.
Next Scotland Manager Candidates
Roberto Martinez – Now a free agent after his Portugal exit, the former Belgium and Everton boss brings major-tournament experience and has become the clear market leader almost overnight.
John McGlynn – The in-form Falkirk manager continues to be talked up as a home-grown option who understands the demands of Scottish football.
David Moyes – Widely regarded as an ideal long-term fit, but with a year still left on his Everton contract and the club pushing for a return to Europe, most observers expect any approach to be premature. Former team-mates and players have suggested the timing simply isn't right, even if his admiration for the national side is well known.
Alex Neil and Steven Naismith – Both carry Scottish credentials and have been mentioned as potential candidates, with Naismith already inside the camp as Clarke's former assistant, making him a plausible interim option if a permanent appointment isn't finalised in time.
Darren Fletcher – The most speculative name in the mix, sitting at longer odds but not entirely dismissed given his standing in the Scottish game.
Steven Gerrard – A surprise inclusion on some lists, though those close to the situation have poured cold water on the idea, suggesting it would be a shock move for both parties.
