Martin Jol

Fans back Jol as Spurs board demand Champions League

Manager hangs on to his job amid rumours replacement was being lined up

TOTTENHAM fans have urged the club’s board to lay off under-fire head coach Martin Jol and give him a chance to compete for a top-four place this term.
Speculation about Jol’s future at Spurs reached boiling point this week but Tottenham Supporters Trust chairman Daniel Wynne, who represents Spurs fans on the board, told the New Journal that supporters are “massively” behind the manager.
He said: “He is the man to take us forward. Martin has been left in a delicate situation. It went full circle from him going to staying in just 12 hours. Now we want a response from the players, starting at Manchester United on Sunday.”
Jol’s days at White Hart Lane looked numbered this week – despite an outlay of £40 million on new players during the transfer window, senior directors were rumoured to be considering Seville manager Juande Ramos as a replacement.
Ramos now looks set to stay put in Spain and a statement from the club released on Tuesday backed Jol, but made it clear he is expected to deliver.
Chairman Daniel Levy said: “We want Champions League football at White Hart Lane. We have made a massive investment in the squad and we have the best squad of players this club has had for over 20 years. We have discussed all of these expectations with Martin and he has confirmed to me today that he feels he is equipped with a squad and a determination to take on that challenge.”
But many supporters fear the timing could unsettle the team.
Mr Wynne said: “It is all well and good that the board have debates about the manager’s progress, but this is not the right time. His performance is not about the first three results of the season. We only won one in six at the start of last season and still finished well. If you are going to make a change, get rid of him in the summer.”
Jol defended his record on Saturday after watching his team brush aside Derby.
He said: “In the past, we had not done as well as we should. Now we have secured 125 points in two seasons.”
He added: “Would I have been sacked if we had lost today? I do not know, but I know it takes time to build a team, and that is exactly what I am doing.”