Not even Mourinho could have done better here, says Jol

TOTTENHAM boss Martin Jol has suggested getting rid of him would be a backward step for the club and feels his board understand the progress the team has made in the last three years.

His view is backed up by chairman Daniel Levy who this week denied a package was being agreed for Jol’s departure, although there has been a lingering suspicion of the Dutchman keeping the seat warm since Spurs officials met Sevilla coach Juande Ramos last month.

Spurs were also linked with Jose Mourinho after the Portuguese coach left Chelsea, yet Jol is confident that his consecutive fifth-placed Premier League finishes have been recognised.

“The fans know how difficult it is if they change management again, they know you could easily go back for years,” Jol said yesterday. “I hope people are realistic — you can get anyone in the world to come, but to do better you must finish fourth.”

He added: “ I think they (the board) realise it, otherwise they probably would have made a decision. I feel top five was probably more than we would have expected when I started.”

Spurs are currently in the bottom three and have to wait until Monday’s clash (hosting Aston Villa) for a chance to turn their league form around.

After two fifth-place finishes, expectations for a top-four place this time around were high.

“That is why it was an eye-opener when I said no-one could have done better, because I firmly believe that,” he added. “Even Mourinho.”

Jol’s case is strengthened by the number of young players he has brought through since taking over from Jacques Santini in 2004 — the oldest players starting against Middlesbrough last night were 27-year-olds Paul Robinson and Teemu Tainio.

The Dutchman feels the club can now attract the finest young talent in the world to White Hart Lane, which they did this summer with Gareth Bale, Younes Kaboul, Darren Bent and Kevin-Prince Boateng.

“I can mention five or six players,” he said. “I feel it is more a matter of examples. If they see Tom Huddlestone, Aaron Lennon and Michael Dawson.

“I feel we have more talented players than any other club. Maybe Arsenal have the same.”

“For us it’s still different, because of Ledley King being out, we needed cover. We could go for (Cristian) Chivu, (Sylvain) Distin or Kaboul. We felt in the long term, Kaboul will be a better player than the others.”

Criticisms of Jol include his tactics and substitutions, and his decision to take off Jermain Defoe against Boro put him in the spotlight, although his change was vindicated as Spurs turned the Carling Cup tie immediately after the switch.

Defoe, left out of the matchday squad for the last two Premier League games, was upset at being taken off.

“He wasn’t happy but Keane wasn’t happy against Fulham, (Dimitar) Berbatov wasn’t happy against Sunderland. It’s the same all the time. Jermain did okay (against Boro) but not more than that,” he said.

Defoe’s contract runs out at the end of next season and chairman Levy wants to avoid the England striker leaving for free, like Sol Campbell.

“Of course,” was Jol’s response when asked if he wanted Defoe to commit.