Spurs confirm Jol sacking

North Londoners reveal Dutchman did not fall, but was pushed

By Mark Kendall   Last updated: 26th October 2007

jol martin

Jol: Sacked by board

For me, Martin and Chris' departure is regrettable. Our greatest wish was to see results turn in our favour and for there to be no need for change.

Daniel Levy
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Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that the club took the decision to sack manager Martin Jol and his assistant Chris Hughton.

After a confusing night at White Hart Lane in which a 2-1 Uefa Cup defeat to Getafe was largely overshadowed by rumour and counter-rumour concerning Jol, the North Londoners have moved to clear up the circumstances surrounding the Dutchman's departure from White Hart Lane.

It was initially mooted that Jol had tendered his resignation, but chairman Daniel Levy has now revealed that it was the club's decision to remove their manager before the game with Getafe.

A statement on the club's official website read: "We can confirm that the board has this evening asked Martin Jol, Club Manager and Chris Hughton, First Team Coach to stand down from their positions with immediate effect.

"We have not taken these decisions lightly or without recognition of the contribution both Martin and Chris have made to the club."

Regrettable

Levy himself went on to add: "For me, Martin and Chris' departure is regrettable. Our greatest wish was to see results turn in our favour and for there to be no need for change.

"We feel honoured that Martin has been manager at our club, having seen us qualify twice for Europe.

"Chris has been with us since 1977, bar a three year period, both as player and coach and he has been an excellent ambassador for the club.

"They have been professional, popular and respected members of the coaching staff and there will always be a warm welcome for them both at the Lane."

Jol also commented in the statement and insisted he bore the club no grudge over his dismissal which has been the subject of constant media speculation in recent weeks and months.

"I can understand the position of the Club in light of the results," Jol stated. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here.

"Tottenham Hotspur is a special club and I want to thank the terrific staff and players. For me the fans were always amazing with their support so I would also like to say thank you - I shall never forget them."

Spurs also confirmed in the statement that development coach Clive Allen and and youth team manager Alex Inglethorpe would take temporary charge of first-team affairs until a successor to Jol was found.

It is widely expected that Sevilla coach Juande Ramos will be the man to replace the Dutchman with Spurs officials reportedly having met with the Spaniard earlier in the season.

Comments

Mike Flanagan (Middlesbrough fan) says...

Ok, as Middlebrough fan, I see this as the ideal pportunity to drop-the-flop Southgate and bring in what I regard as one of the best managers in the Premier League in recent years. Tottenham were struggling enough but now Jol has gone it is gonna be very hard.

Posted 13:39 29th October 2007

Gary Keane says...

The board and the media have set the wheels in motion for our demise. The way Martin Jol has been treated since the start of the season has been appalling. Fair enough, the results haven't been great, our defence shaky, but meeting with Ramos publicly, the media frenzy and constant questions over his future has magnified the situtation and brought doubt in the players and jol that surely spelled the end for him. Giving him his orders before our first uefa cup game just shows the sort of disgusting manner in which levy and the board operate and should be ashamed of themselves. Good luck martin, you were a true gent and will be sorely missed by the spurs fans who held you in such high regard. As for us now... more instability and an untenable situation for the next man in the job as im sure we'll be singing for Martin all season. Sack the board!

Posted 15:18 26th October 2007

Andrew Kirk (Arsenal fan) says...

With West Ham's turmoil last season, Charlton's relegation, Chelsea's in-fighting and now the events at Spurs, London clubs have not had a good 6 months! Jols departure was always on the cards once the chairman gets too involved with on the field stuff. I really can't see how this is going to improve the club. Jol has stabilised and brought more success to the club than they've had for decades. Realistically, UEFA places are what teams like Tottenham must aim for, until one of the top 4 teams depart with their managers/money men, I can't see anyone breaking into the Champions league places (I know you gave us a good challenge when it went to the last game of the season) It's a shame Jol has gone, he had alot of respect from supporters of other teams... even us goooners!! My advice for whoever takes over... get rid of your prima donna players who don't want to play for the club.. I know that must hurt seeing a gooner giving advice, but beating a weak spurs side isn't as rewarding! Jols' Spurs gave a bit of edge to the last few derbys. Sad day for Spurs, Sad day for premiership football!

Posted 14:14 26th October 2007

Stacey George (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

To have 26,000 fans singing "I love Martin Jol..." followed by a 2min standing ovation actually DURING the game (whilst ignoring what wa happening on the pitch), shows the level of respect true Tottenham fans held for Martin Jol. He was loved by everyone, except the board, who I blame for this mess entirely. The board, who can never call themselves true fans, acted shamlessly throughout all this. Levy is selling the club and just wants to keep them up so as not to lose money. Damien Comolli needs to go NOW. He was the one who sanctioned the £16m spent on Bent. He was the one who bought Zakora for £8m, a player worthy of the Coca-Cola Championship (at best). He also told MJ that Arjen Robben was NOT needed! Err, hello Mr Comolli, this is a true left-midfielder.....we need one!!!!! Spurs fans need to gather on mass and email the club (address found on website) and demand they sack Comolli.....otherwise he'll do to Ramos or whoever we get, the same as he did to MJ, which is interfere, choose the players he buys an an overly inflated price, neglects what is needed and ultimately stabs him in the back. I for one, was proud to signing Martin's name last night and joining in with the standing ovation. It was quite moving and humbling in my opinion, and I hope that it showed Martin that us Spurs fans loved him dearly as manager. I'm gutted !!!!! Spurs board should be ashamed of themselves this morning.

Posted 13:55 26th October 2007

Louis Trevallion (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

What a sad day it is for our club. A great man has been ousted because of a lack of heart shown from his players. If they had shown an ounce of the determination and passion he has shown on the touchlines we'd be top of the league. It is individual errors that has got us in this position not Jol's tactics. Hopefully he will be remembered for the winning times he brought back to the lane and also his heart warming smile.

Posted 10:56 26th October 2007

Jamie Watson (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I have to say i am not shocked but absolutely gutted why have we just sacked the best manager we have had in years. I like to congratulate martin and especially chris for all there hard work and bringing entertaining football to the lane. I just hope we get klinsmann as the replacement not ramos he is a spurs legend not just another manager who doesnt care about the club just the money. Thanks Martin and Chris

Posted 10:51 26th October 2007

Steve Clements (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I am gutted. I thought Jol was the man Spurs have been waiting for, for many years. OK results were bad this season so far but I blame that on the board pulling the rug out from under Jol's feet with the Spanish manager meeting debacle. It ruined confidence and belief and ultimately affected results. Jol has to carry the can and take the bullet but I do feel things were out of his control once the board decided to dabble. We need long term management with allowances for bad terms as look at Man Utd and that French team who also play in North London - their managers have been in charge for over 10 years and they have built great teams. Jol could have been that man had the board not ruined it for him. Shame on the board for their impatience, shame on the players (especially Berbatov) for their lack of conviction and conduct, shame on the media for making life terrible for everyone connected to Spurs. A true gentlemen, a character, a Spurs fan. Jol will be missed. I am gutted.

Posted 10:50 26th October 2007

Red Rooster (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Yes I am sorry to see him go. Some of the players (especially Berbatov) seem to think they are bigger than the manager. Berbs was a waste of space last night - apart from assisting Defoe's goal - he fluffed so many chances he looked like he was playing for the opposition. He was amazing last season but has not contributed at all so far. Not to the standard we are used to anyway. Let him go to ManU with the other prima donnas that's what I say. That might settle the team again and Ledley is ready for training again so that should sort out our shambles of a defence. Ramos, Hughes, Mourinho - who knows. We need someone to come in and do what Roy Keane did with Sunderland last season.

Posted 10:41 26th October 2007

Bryan Bennett (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Here we go again - THFC fans in a state of dismay, blaming the board, players anybody but the true culprits. Martin and Chris have been victims of their own success. They have taken the club forward with dignity and style over the last two years but I believe they have reached the pinnacle of their abilities. Even whilst finishing 5th in consecutive seasons the problems have always been there - no bite in midfield, a defence that cannot defend and not enough left sided players in the squad. How many fans would swap Bent for a decent defender and midfielder? Martin and Chris have been in charge of coaching ¿ why was this not addressed? The Spurs board have again been a disgrace with their handling of the situation and Martin has left with his integrity intact and the best wishes from all the fans and thanks for two of the best years anyone can remember for a long time. Now let¿s move on and really become a team to be proud off, as for the board will we ever be proud of them?

Posted 10:38 26th October 2007

Bob Comolli (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

What a shambles! The best manager weve had since Burkinshaw and they,ve dumped him!! I agree with other contributors that certain players have let him and us down.Too often we see players trying to make a name for themselves,failing and putting the side in jeopardy.KEEP IT SIMPLE. It works. GOOD LUCK MARTIN AND CHRIS.

Posted 08:19 26th October 2007

Phil Donnelly (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Here we go again on the managerial merry go-round. Jol and Hughton were stabbed in the back by the board and the players. I hope a number of the board and players/board couldn't sleep last night when they realised that throwing their toys out of the pram and meeting prospective managers whilst Jol was still in charge has undermined the manager/team confidence. I'd like to congratulate Martin and Chris for what they have done at the club, 2 fifth places in the past 2 years is not an easy task. Jol won't be out of a job for long and whatever club gets him will get an honest hardworking coach, lets hope he gets the full support of the board this time! The fans will never forget him at the Lane as yesterday proved with the chanting of 'Stand up for Martin Jol'.

Posted 08:18 26th October 2007

Kev Middleton (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

It's a shame it has come to this. Martin Jol has to be praised for the last two seasons. But I believe it's clear he is not the man to take us onto that next level. Speculation about who was pulling the strings in the transfer market is irrelevant, first and formost Martin Jol is a coach. But our defensive weaknesses haven't been addressed, our lack of bite in midfield hasn't been addressed. The same problems are still there we haven't moved on. I'm afraid to say that responsibilty is the managers so buck stops with him when it doesn't improve.

Posted 08:18 26th October 2007

Roy Baldwin (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Martin Jol hold your head up high youve been great for us, its a shame the players dont adopt the same attitude and commitment your be sadly mist by all supporters at the lane. All the best for the futre.

Posted 08:06 26th October 2007

Matt James says...

And so Spurs commit suicide. People keep refering to Spurs as a great and successful club with a glorious past. How many titles and trophies have they actually won ? Martin Jol was their most successful manager for ages and gave Spurs fans something to cheer about. This season they have started poorly but a a couple of wins from mid-table. Now they will probably sink back into the mediocre side most impartial fans actually know them to be. The board lost their bottle and treated a good man in a dispicable way. Shame on them !

Posted 08:05 26th October 2007

Dan Hockley (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Such a shame. You can't help but wonder if it's effectively the media that has brought this on Jol. If they hadn't been calling for his head for the last couple of months, things may have been different. He was the best manager that Spurs have had for many years and his style of play was what brought the good times back to The Lane. You also need to look at the players - for weeks now they have been playing like a team with no respect or support for the manager and it's almost like they knew he was on his way out of the door. Berbatov should be ashamed of his conduct on Monday - 26mil for him over the summer all of a sudden looks like it would have been a tidy bit of business!! If all the players had some heart like Keane, things would be very different right now. Tottenham must now move quickly to appoint a very good manager to turn their season around - can we afford to wait until next season for Ramos?!? Do the fans really want him?!? I'm not sure on either question! The biggest casualty in this (apart from the disillusuioned fans!) is Chris Hughton - he's been a fantastic asset to the club and team and I'll sorry that he has been involved in this.

Posted 07:49 26th October 2007

Paul Burkett (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I am gutted for Martin Jol after everything he has done for the club over his 3 year tenure. I agree that some of the "star" players should take a long look at themselves in the mirror and ask the question "Did I give the Gaffer my all?" - bet some of them wont be able to answer honestly -- disgraceful!! Should be interesting to see who comes in now (although probably not suprisingly) and how he/they turn things around?! I just want to say good luck Martin - you are a top man.

Posted 07:46 26th October 2007

Rob Flack (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Martin Jol deserves his place in the WHL hall of fame, he has brought 3 exciting years to the club and the best finishes in the league we could have hoped for. He is the one manager in the Premier League who always wears the teams coulours at the game, not some cheap suit! Showing he is well and truly proud of Tottenham Hotspur, thank you for being our manager!

Posted 07:44 26th October 2007

Ron Seyward (tottenham fan) says...

Could there have been any other result last night other than a loss - giving Jol the axe from a wnning side would have been even more bizarre - especially as the man was sacked before a ball was kicked last night - so the result was almost academic. Whoever it is that takes the job on has to assert their authority not be overseen by a board whose real interests lies in the bottom line - If the rumours are true that the board is looking to sell the club anyway with or without success - should that transpire then it was all about money anyway wasn't it? I think it was Burkinshaw who said "There used to be a great football club here" As he stood outside the ground. Will that Club ever be great again and who will make it so?

Posted 07:37 26th October 2007

Pompey Geeza says...

Jol was sacked before the team had even kicked a ball this season.. the atmosphere at the club caused by the board buying players Jol didn't want (bent) and not buying players he did want (left winger) and then sounding out his replacemnet after just 3 games are the reason he's gone... how the hell could anyone perform under that pressure???? i hope levy gets everything he deserves and I feel for Martin and the Spurs community in general... p.s hey, yidders, leave our harry alone!

Posted 07:27 26th October 2007

Craig Washington (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Martin Jol was the only one who acted with total integrity out of the whole club. Stabbed in the back by the board. You are a legend.

Posted 07:20 26th October 2007

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