Jol the favourite to replace Santini

MARTIN JOL will almost certainly be handed the Spurs job in the wake of Jacques Santini’s decision last night to walk out of White Hart Lane.

Tottenham once again find themselves in a managerial void following Santini's decision to leave the club for personal reasons. After spending much of last season looking for the right man, Santini's sudden decision to quit the club has also put the spotlight on chairman Daniel Levy.

Last season, Spurs sacked Glenn Hoddle just six games into the season and now it is almost a case of deja vu for their long-suffering fans as Santini heads for the exit door after only 13 games in charge.

Levy spent much of last season scouring Europe for a manager with the right credentials to restore the glory days to the club. His insistence on introducing a continental-style structure to Spurs will be labelled a failure after Santini's exit.

It will be left to first assistant coach Jol to pick up the pieces and there are signs this will suit not only the club, but the players as well. They discovered the news while on the coach to the team hotel in preparation for their clash with Charlton today.

The players, according to one source, were said to be shocked at Santini's sudden departure.

The former France coach had started his Spurs career in style as the team enjoyed much of the early part of the season with the front runners. But in recent weeks there have been signs Santini's style of management and his team selection were causing problems with the players.

Santini was alleged to have had a dispute with Michael Carrick a rumour subsequently denied by Spurs. But some of his team selections were puzzling to say the least.

England striker Jermain Defoe had been left out of Santini's side altogether on occasions and striker Robbie Keane often asked to play an unfamiliar holding role in midfield.

Carrick has failed to make a start under Santini, partly because of injury, but mainly because the Frenchman insisted the former West Ham man was not fit enough. Santini insisted nothing was wrong with team spirit after the 2-0 defeat by Fulham last weekend but the body language of several of the players told otherwise.

Then there was Santini's unfortunate decision not to attend a press conference after their home defeat by Bolton on the day managerial legend Bill Nicholson passed away. Spurs were forced to issue a statement denying Santini had snubbed their late manager. But by then it was too late and the damage was done.