Fulham appoint Jol as new manager

Jol is ready for a new challenge at Craven Cottage

Fulham have appointed Martin Jol as their new manager following the resignation of Mark Hughes last week.

The former Tottenham and Ajax boss joins Fulham on an initial two-year contract, with the option to extend it for a further year.

Jol said: “I am very happy to join Fulham. It is a club with good, solid foundations and a great fan base.

“I am looking forward to being part of the Fulham family and thank the chairman for the trust shown in me.”

Hughes departed last week after less than a year in charge at Craven Cottage.

The former Wales manager had joined Fulham in the summer of 2010 and had been in talks about a new contract prior to his resignation.

Jol moved to White Hart Lane in 2004 as assistant to Jacques Santini but took over as head coach in November 2004 after Santini stood down.

But despite finishing fifth in the Premier League in two consecutive seasons, the club asked Jol to stand down in October 2007.

In May 2008 he was appointed coach of Hamburg but left a year later to join Ajax.

Last summer he was linked with the Fulham role after the departure of Roy Hodgson to Liverpool but opted to remain with Ajax.

He has been out of work since quitting the Dutch club last December.