Martin Jol found out he had been sacked as Tottenham manager when his
nephew Rob told him seconds after the 2-1 defeat to Getafe on Thursday night.
Reports that the Dutchman had been dismissed were in the
public domain during the UEFA Cup game and the news filtered through to
supporters, who chanted in support of Jol.
But crucially Jol did not know
until after the game, and admitted he was 'embarrassed' that supporters knew his
fate before he did.
He told The People: 'The first I knew was when I saw my
nephew in the tunnel immediately after the game and he pulled me to one side and
told me what everyone else seemed to know already.
'So it is rubbish to say
that I heard it before the game.'
Juande Ramos was last night appointed as
Jol's successor, with first-team coach Chris Hughton also being dismissed
alongside Jol.
The Dutch coach added: 'I went into the dressing room to tell
the players and say farewell to them - and they all stood up and applauded me.
'It was a strange night because it was my final game in charge but it was
also a special night. I had a great connection with the Tottenham fans and that
will always be there.
'The fans were unbelievable the way they were chanting
my name throughout the game, and I am a little embarrassed because they knew
before me that I was gone.'
Despite that embarrassment, Jol denies he
angrily confronted Spurs chairman Daniel Levy as some reports suggested.
'I
don't have a problem with Daniel or the club because they treated me very well
throughout my time there.
'Spurs are a great club and I am 100% certain that
they will get better and better. They will strengthen the team and when Ledley
King is back from injury soon they will be very strong.
'I am going to have
a few weeks off but I would love to stay in English football. I have a house
here, my daughter is settled in school and we love it in England.'
Linked here: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=476624&cc=5901
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