Bookies suspend betting on Martinez exit

Leading bookmaker Coral has suspended betting this morning on Roberto Martinez leaving Everton before the opening game of the 2016/17 Premier League season due to a flurry of bets. Before Coral pulled the plug on the market, Martinez was 1-4 to depart before next season and 5-2 to still be in charge.

Coral has already opened betting on who will be the next permanent Everton manager in which they make Frank de Boer the odds-on favourite at 5-6, Stoke boss Mark Hughes is 9-2 and David Moyes is 8-1 for a return to Goodison Park.

“The weight of support behind this gamble on Martinez leaving Everton does suggest it may  just be a matter of time so we have decided to pull the plug on betting until the dust settles,” said Coral’s John Hill.

“Frank de Boer has recently left his job at Ajax and we make him the odds-on favourite to replace Martinez at Goodison Park,” added Hill.

Following Newcastle’s relegation from the Premier League last night, Coral make the North East club 4-1 to win the 2016/17 Championship and 6-4 to gain promotion next season. Rafa Benitez is 11-8 to still be in charge of the club for the opening game of the new campaign and 8-15 to leave before then.

Norwich, who were also relegated last night, are 10-3 with Coral to return back to the Premier League next season, while the Canaries can be backed at 9-1 with the firm to win the Championship next year.

In Coral’s betting to make the England squad for Euro 2016, Sunderland forward Jermain Defoe is a 10-1 outsider with firm to be selected by Roy Hodgson.

**Next permanent Everton manager

5-6 Frank de Boer, 9-2 Mark Hughes, 8 David Moyes, 10 Ronald Koeman, Manuel Pellegrini, 20 Eddie Howe, Martin O’Neill, 25 Lucien Favre, 33 Bar.

**Newcastle 2016/17 specials

6-4 To be promoted from the Championship, 4 To win the Championship