Jol - Spurs have identity crisis

Dutchman not bitter over White Hart Lane exit

Last updated: 5th October 2008

Martin Jol

Jol: Not bitter

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Former Tottenham boss Martin Jol believes the club are struggling because they have lost their sense of identity.

Jol was sacked as Spurs manager last October after three years at the helm at White Hart Lane.

The Dutchman helped Spurs to consecutive fifth places during his time at the club and they also boasted half a dozen players in the England squad.

Jol, who is now back in management with German outfit Hamburg, says Tottenham's transfer policy in bringing in a host of foreign stars has replaced the English core and affected the club's form.

"I feel if you work for an English club you need an English identity and I think that worked," Jol told the Sunday Times. "We were developing young players and were in Europe every year.

"I had six players in the England squad. Now there is Corluka, Giovani, Pavlyuvhenko, Modric...and Spurs have a different philosphy.

Identity

"They've changed the team's identity. They are so desperate for succcess that if they are not successful it will be a disaster."

Jol also claims Tottenham had lined up a move for Juande Ramos before he was sacked.

Despite his acrimonious departure, the 52-year-old says he has no bitterness towards chairman Daniel Levy or director of football Damien Comolli.

"I knew Comolli was trying to get Ramos in the summer, even when we had just finished fifth," added Jol.

He also rejected suggestions that Tottenham's management structure of a coach and a director of football was to blame for the side's current plight.

He said: "If you work with a football director who's your choice, or you're his choice, the system functions.

"When Frank (Arnesen) was at Spurs it was perfect. But if one coach leaves and the next one is changing 10 or 12 players what's the value of having the structure?"