It would have been a smart man, or perhaps one with a great deal of inside knowledge, who staked a pre-season pound or two on 50-1 shot Martin Jol to be the Premier Leagues first managerial casualty.
Tuesday’s newspapers are reporting that, just three games into the new season, the man who guided Tottenham to two fifth place finishes in successive seasons could be replaced by Sevilla coach Juande Ramos.
It’s true that Tottenham have made a poor start, with two defeats and one win so far, but Jol remains a popular figure and Spurs bloggers have reacted with incredulity.
“I simply can’t comprehend why there is serious talk about replacing Martin Jol as manager,” begins a piece at Push and Run and similar sentiments are on show all over the web.
Ashley Lawrence at Spurs Pies calls the reports of Jol’s imminent departure “worrying and infuriating”, while The Shelf argues that sacking Jol now would effectively write off their season.
With the fans still firmly behind him, shouldnt Jol at least be given a full season to prove himself with a new squad? The last manager to leave White Hart Lane this early in the season was Christian Gross in September 1998. Surely serving Jol a similar fate would be doing the man an immense disservice?
Padraic Halpin, London
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9 comments so far
This really is just nuts. I’m with the guy at The Shelf who says this will write off the whole season. How could someone like Ramos come in now and get the best out of this squad? It’s completely and utterly bonkers. And remember, Spurs are better off than Man U at the moment!
- Posted by RafaRight man, wrong time. I can totally understand why Spurs want Ramos, who must be the number one target for a lot of clubs, but the timing is awful. Maybe they’ll stick with Jol for now and do a deal with Ramos for next season. That might make more sense.
- Posted by LondonStop the madness! It’s only three games. Still, if rumours of his “It’s me or Berbatov” standoff with Levy are true then Jol must have a managerial deathwish.
- Posted by fionaIts only three games so far and they have got three points. Its way to early to dismiss a manager. I feel its the media that has created a issue of nothing. They are just going overboard.
- Posted by NachiketIf then Spurs manager is likely to dismissed for the poor start, what would happen to Sir Alex? ManU have scored only 2 points in their three matches, which is worse than the start made by Spurs. So better not talk about sacking managers after just three matches.
If Spurs really wanted to change managers, do it at the end of the season!
Really crazy to change at this time. Not enough time to build rapport with players, not enough time to fit in, especially to the English game etc. Good luck to Spurs if they decide to do it. Really silly IMHO.
- Posted by Five TimesYOU GUYS ARE IDIOTS
Martin Jol is the best manager we have had in a long time. look what he has achived in 2 seasons…
this speculation needs to stop! Rumors like this isn´t doing the squad any justice…
Yes he has spent a lot of money and yes maybe he didn´t buy players that could benifit us like, not buying a left back or left sided midfielder.
But we need to give him a chance!!
NO ONE is saying sack sir Alex because he hasn´t won a game this year, so give him untill Christmas and lets see whats happens!
- Posted by Mark HustwayteRamos said no, but you know that Klinsmann is at the match at Wembley tonight. Just a thought…
- Posted by LondonMartin Jol is the best thing that has happened to Spurs for a long time, consistent top 6 finishes is what we’ve needed for years and a good solid basis of young English players such as Huddlestone that can only get better is surely the way forward. Very unlucky vs Man U today so let’s get behind the Spurs to achieve the best we can for years.
- Posted by Chris ReeceMartin - for the first time in years we have had in you a manager who gives the job everything and understands the club. We love you and are so sorry for the way you’ve been treated. You will always be loved by the Spurs fans.
Thank you for everything.
- Posted by DebbieDebbie, Portsmouth