Sven back on Fulham radar after Jol blow
FULHAM could revive their interest in former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson after a drawn-out attempt to lure Martin Jol from Ajax ended in embarrassing failure yesterday.
Ivory Coast coach Eriksson was on the Cottagers’ initial shortlist to replace Roy Hodgson and was said to be aggrieved at the club opting to pursue ex-Spurs boss Jol instead.
But the Londoners may now be forced to eat humble pie and renew discussions with the
Swede after Jol’s inability to break his contract left them managerless with just over three weeks until the start of the new season. Cardiff’s Dave Jones, USA coach Bob Bradley and ex-Manchester City manager Mark Hughes are also among the favourites to take the helm.
Dutchman Jol, who was sacked by Spurs in 2007 but still has a house in the London area, had agreed personal terms with Fulham and looked certain for a return to the Premier League. But chief executive Alistair Mackintosh was forced to accept defeat yesterday morning after Ajax made it clear there was no way they would let the 54-year-old leave, despite his wishes.
“It was unbelievable,” said Jol. “I like Fulham, I like England, I like London. So I was probably a bit disappointed I had to say no, because the board don’t want to let me go under any circumstances.
“I was willing to go there but as I said, I’m under contract. I had to tell them [Fulham] I had to stay. All the problems, going to court, I didn’t want that, because Ajax is too big to be put through that misery.”
Fulham admitted their hopes had been dashed in a statement, adding: “When Fulham commenced negotiations with Martin Jol, the club was informed that an exit clause existed in his contract with Ajax.
“Subsequent negotiations revealed that the clause was no longer valid and Ajax remained
steadfast in their desire to keep their manager.”