Levy admits Jol mistakes
29 Oct 2007 - 07:57:49
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has admitted the club handled the departure of former manager Martin Jol poorly.
Jol was sacked after Thursday's UEFA Cup defeat by Getafe with the Dutchman claiming his nephew told him the news after the 2-1 loss, although rumours about his exit had begun during the match.
His future had also been brought into question after Spurs officials were photographed meeting newly-installed coach Juande Ramos in Sevilla back in August.
The Spurs board has come under fire from some supporters unhappy with their treatment of Jol and Levy has admitted mistakes were made in their managerial manoeuvring.
"Several events clearly did not happen as we all would have wished and things could have been handled differently and better," he told the club's official website.
"But the first time we met to discuss his position was after the match.
"There were no discussions prior and there were none of the reported disagreements.
"We would not have, in any case, asked Martin to take charge of the match under those circumstances.
"Media speculation which preceded the game, inaccurately reporting Martin as having resigned, was in no way a deliberate measure by this club, in no way served our purposes and we have resented any suggestion that this was the case.
"Leaks (which are wholly unacceptable) and speculation accompanied the game and it is a sad and regrettable aspect that individuals get caught in their midst."
Meanwhile, caretaker-manager Clive Allen, who presided over Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Blackburn, admits he now fears for his own White Hart Lane future.
"I will report for work in the morning. I'm passionate about the work I do at the football club and I'd like to go forward with Tottenham," he said.