LONDON, England -- Martin Jol has resigned as Tottenham manager, just before the London club's UEFA Cup Group G match at home to Spanish side Getafe -- which they lost 2-1.
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Jol has left Tottenham after three seasons during which he has led the club to consecutive fifth-placed finishes.
Jol's future at the club had been under intense scrutiny after a series of poor results, which has seen them languishing in the bottom three of the Premier League table.
However, the circumstances behind his departure were bizarre to say the least, with the Dutchman apparently agreeing a severance package prior to Thusday's match -- with the news leaking out at half-time.
Sevilla coach Juande Ramos is reported to be the favorite to take over at White Hart Lane, with Tottenham officials allegedly agreeing a deal to bring him over from Spain earlier in the season. Former Tottenham midfielder Gus Poyet -- currently the assistant at Leeds United -- is being lined-up as Ramos' assistant.
Despite their lowly position, Jol had not lost the support of the supporters and when news filtered through -- the fans chanted "stand up for Martin Jol" in appreciation of his three years at White Hart Lane, during which he brought consecutive fifth-placed finishes in the Premier League.
Thursday's defeat summed up Tottenham's season, plenty of pace and power going forward but defensive frailties once again proving their undoing.
Jermain Defoe, who has struggled to establish himself under Jol, opened the scoring in the 19th minute, taking his tally to three for the season, all of them in the UEFA Cup.
Pascal Chimbonda had his first cross blocked from the right but then curled the rebound to the far post where Dimitar Berbatov headed into the path of Defoe, who nodded home.
But the visitors were level within two minutes when Esteban Granero's free-kick from 40 meters out bounced in, with Ruben de la Red claiming the slightest of touches.
Berbatov then headed in Tom Huddlestone's cross but the effort was disallowed for offside.
Reports of Jol's future emerged during the break, making for a strange atmosphere as he was still in the dug-out for the second half.
An open second half was eventually won by Getafe with 20 minutes remaining when David Cortes crossed from the right and Nobrega Braulio skillfully flicked the ball home.
Tottenham continued to press forward but the Getafe defense held firm to end Jol's reign at the club in a disappointing fashion
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SPORT/football/10/25/uefa.tottenham/
