Source: Team_Talk
Lack of security for Jol
Fulham manager Martin Jol believes managerial contracts mean little in football due to the unpredictable nature of the game.[LNB] The former Tottenham boss returned to the Premier League to replace Mark Hughes, who stepped down at the end of his sole season at Craven Cottage last term. [LNB]Jol, who almost took the Fulham job last summer, admits his two-year contract provides him with little comfort as a poor start in the job could easily put him on the managerial scrapheap.[LNB]He said: "I'm ambitious, but not over-ambitious. If I had asked for a three-year contract here, they would have given it.[LNB]"I signed two years with an option for another year, but it doesn't really mean anything. They can get rid of me after a couple of months if they want.[LNB]"When I was at Ajax they offered me a 10-year contract, but I still left after 18 months."[LNB]Jol admits good-natured talks last summer, from which the parties failed to come to an agreement before Fulham turned to Hughes, played a pivotal part in his appointment this time around.[LNB]"Football is about relationships," he said. "Fulham were good to me last year when I could have joined, and they were good to me again this year.[LNB]"I don't know the reasons Mark Hughes left. I thought he would stay here for a couple of years to be honest, because he was doing a good job.[LNB]"Instead, I was thinking of other challenges and other clubs. But when the chief executive Alistair Mackintosh called me, I came the next day."[LNB]With Fulham qualifying for Europe through the Fair Play League, Dutchman Jol will make his competitive debut against Nes Soknar Itrottarfelag on Thursday.[LNB]The former Hamburg coach admits he will treat the early stages of the Europa League as pre-season, but plans to be competitive, starting against the Faroe Island minnows at the Cottage.[LNB]"I will now work to see how we can become better and we will treat the Europa League like it is our pre-season, but it will have a serious touch," said Jol.[LNB]"Of course, it would be nice to progress in the tournament."
