Coach Jol is sacked by Tottenham

LONDON, England -- Martin Jol was sacked as Tottenham manager, just before the London club's UEFA Cup Group G match at home to Spanish side Getafe -- which they lost 2-1.

The club revealed after the game that Jol and his assistant Chris Hughton had been asked to stand down with immediate effect.

Jol's future at the club had been under intense scrutiny after a series of poor results, which has seen them languishing in the bottom three of the Premier League table.

However, the circumstances behind his departure were bizarre.

News leaked out at half-time that Jol would be leaving and first reports suggested that he had resigned.

Only after the game did Tottenham reveal that he had been sacked.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said:"For me, the departure of Martin and Chris is regrettable.

"Our greatest wish was to see results turn in our favor and for there to be no need for change.

"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."

Sevilla coach Juande Ramos is reported to be the favorite to take over at White Hart Lane, with Tottenham officials allegedly agreeing a deal to bring him over from Spain earlier in the season. Former Tottenham midfielder Gus Poyet -- currently the assistant at Leeds United -- is being lined-up as Ramos' assistant.

Despite Spurs' lowly position, Jol had not lost the support of the supporters and when news filtered through -- the fans chanted "stand up for Martin Jol" in appreciation of his three years at White Hart Lane, during which he brought consecutive fifth-placed finishes in the Premier League.

Jol said: "For me the fans were always amazing with their support so I would like to say thank you - I shall never forget them.

"I can understand the position of the club in the light of results. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Tottenham Hotspur is a special club and I want to thank the terrific staff and players."

Tottenham's development coach Clive Allen and youth team chief Alex Inglethorpe will be in temporary control of the first team.

Thursday's defeat summed up Tottenham's season, plenty of pace and power going forward but defensive frailties once again proving their undoing.

Jermain Defoe, who has struggled to establish himself under Jol, opened the scoring in the 19th minute, taking his tally to three for the season, all of them in the UEFA Cup.

Pascal Chimbonda had his first cross blocked from the right but then curled the rebound to the far post where Dimitar Berbatov headed into the path of Defoe, who nodded home.

But the visitors were level within two minutes when Esteban Granero's free-kick from 40 meters out bounced in, with Ruben de la Red claiming the slightest of touches.

Berbatov then headed in Tom Huddlestone's cross but the effort was disallowed for offside.

Reports of Jol's future emerged during the break, making for a strange atmosphere as he was still in the dug-out for the second half.

An open second half was eventually won by Getafe with 20 minutes remaining when David Cortes crossed from the right and Nobrega Braulio skillfully flicked the ball home.

Tottenham continued to press forward but the Getafe defense held firm to end Jol's reign at the club in a disappointing fashion.

Getafe manager Michael Laudrup, who has come under pressure himself after poor early season performances, sympathized with Jol.

"Football is a hard world. One year you are fantastic, the next you are the opposite.

"Given what he has done last year I don't think he will have a problem finding a new job."

That view was echoed on Friday by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Jol was once interviewed by Ferguson for the assistant manager's position at Old Trafford and the United manager is convinced he has been treated harshly.

Ferguson added: "I don't know the ins and outs of it but I do know there has been a drip drip effect since the start of the season when there was talk that Spurs had met with the Sevilla manager.

"I don't know if that happened or not but there was so much talk about his future that you are almost relieved for him.

"And I say that knowing his qualities. He has great integrity and is a decent man and did well in Holland with hardly any resources. And that gives him a cv that will get him a job almost anywhere." E-mail to a friend