The bookmakers are convinced that Jose Mourinho will turn his back on Britain after his sudden departure from Chelsea.

William Hill cheekily quote the Special One at 10,000-1 to become Head of Promotions for the Egg Marketing Board but, in common with Coral, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power, reckon it is more likely that the job as Portugal manager/coach beckons.

Coral initially offered 14-1 against him replacing the under-fire Luiz Felipe Scolari but, after a flood of bets, cut him to 1-2 before suspending betting. “We made the Portugese job a 14-1 shot when we opened betting, but that was smashed into 4-1 in less than 30 minutes,” David Stevens, spokesman for Coral, said. “The one-way traffic continued, forcing us to cut the odds to 1-2, at which stage we decided enough was enough. If the money talks, then it looks as if Jose is on his way home.”

William Hill make Mourinho a best-priced 2-1 to take charge of Portugal. Graham Sharpe, spokesman for Hills, explained: “He’ll have his pick of any job he fancies but he might decide to take an extended break.”

Ladbrokes are betting on who will be manager at Stamford Bridge on the first day of next season and believe Avram Grant will not be at the helm, quoting him at 5-2. The firm make Juande Ramos 2-1 favourite, with Didier Deschamps (9-2) and Guus Hiddink (5-1) being next in the market.

The bookies clearly lack faith in Grant’s powers and have been unanimous in lengthening Chelsea’s odds for all of this season’s competitions.

Coral have pushed them them out to 7-2 from 9-4 to win the Premiership, while Ladbrokes have extended their odds against going all the way in the Champions League to 10-1 from 8-1. The Blues are 5-6 not to win any silverware this season.

Robin Hutchison, of Ladbrokes, said: “As far as the bookies are concerned this has had a hugely adverse affect on Chelsea’s immediate future. A defeat at Villa and a disappointing draw against Rosenborg aside, you have to think Chelsea have got a better chance of winning things under Mourinho than Grant.”

Betting on who will be the next Premiership manager to part company with his club remains lively. Martin Jol (11-10) and Sammy Lee (5-2) are the two who, apparently, have most to fear.

Mourinho’s next permanent job: Ladbrokes bet: evens Portugal, 5-1 Tottenham, Barcelona, 8-1 Real Madrid, 12-1 Benfica, England, 14-1 Inter Milan, 16-1 Sevilla, Porto, 20-1 AC Milan,

Who will be Chelsea manager on the first day of next season? Ladbrokes bet: 2-1 Ramos, 5-2 Grant, 9-2 Deschamps, 5-1 Hiddink, 6-1 Klinsmann, 14-1 Scolari, 20-1 Lippi, Capello, 33-1 Eriksson, Wenger.

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