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The former Chelsea and Porto manager has been well backed in the early going to succeed Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane and is now the outright leader in the market

Andre Villas-Boas may have left Chelsea under a cloud after less than a year in charge but the 34-year-old Portuguese has been the biggest gamble to make a return to the Premier League as Tottenham's next permanent manager since Harry Redknapp and the club parted company.

Having opened up at as big as 10/1 (11.0) in places, the best price available on Villas-Boas to take the role is now 11/8 (2.38) with William Hill.

Although he has received support in the early going, next manager markets are extremely volatile and it is not unusual to see several names given the tag of favourites before an appointment is made.

This is especially true when a job opens up after the domestic season has been completed, with teams in less of a hurry to recruit someone and more inclined to take a number of candidates into consideration.

Villas-Boas may lead the market at present, but Roberto Di Matteo's impressive performance at Chelsea has not helped his case.

That performance was one which culminated in victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final and an FA Cup triumph with the same squad that was on the brink of crashing out of Europe under the Portuguese boss. That could raise serious questions in some quarters about whether Villas-Boas is the right man for another high-profile Premier League appointment so soon after his Stamford Bridge disaster.

David Moyes was initially the bookies favourite and was odds-on at one point but his price has been drifting after sustained support for Villas-Boas, although the Everton boss is still available at 7/4 (2.75).  

Is Martinez the man for Spurs?
Next Permanent Tottenham Manager
Andre Villas Boas David Moyes Roberto Martinez Rafael Benitez Sam Allardyce	11/8 7/4 7/2 8/1 10/1

As Goal.com exclusively revealed on Thursday, Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is the front runner for the position while both Villas-Boas and Moyes are expected to make up the initial shortlist to succeed Redknapp.

Martinez is available at 7/2 (4.50) with William Hill, a price which should prove excellent value as Spurs begin to make approaches to speak to their candidates of choice.

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is next in the market at 8/1 (9.0) while Fabio Capello (10/1) and current West Ham boss Sam Allardyce (12/1) make up the list of top contenders.

Despite the early support for Villas-Boas the underlying questions over his ability to manage at the top level remain and there is significantly more value in backing a candidate such as Martinez.

The Spanish boss would not only be a popular appointment in the White Hart Lane boardroom but also has more Premier League experience and is someone whose stock is on the rise, rather than a manager whose last role ended on such a sour note.

As Brendan Rodgers and Paul Lambert's recent moves have proven, there has been a recent trend for young managers who have proven their worth with teams outside the top echelons on the Premier League to be given their chance at a higher level, and Martinez looks to be a great bet at this point in time at 7/2 (4.50) with William Hill.

Back Roberto Martinez to be the next permanent Tottenham manager at 7/2 (4.50) with William Hill

Jim Knight is Betting Editor at Goal.com and has been tipping football games since he was old enough to place a bet. He is a Leicester City fan, writer and member of the We Are Going Up Podcast
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