Ajax fight to keep Jol

Dutch giants Ajax insist they won’t let Martin Jol join Fulham without a fight.

The former Tottenham boss is hotly tipped to fill the vacant Cottagers hotseat this week, but having led the Amsterdam club to Champions League qualification and domestic cup success last season, director Rik van den Boog is keen to keep hold of his man.

"Ajax are eager to hold on to Martin Jol,” he said. “He has done a great job at the club so far and we're confident that he can guide the team to success in the near future.

"He turned the squad into a real team and individual players have hugely improved under his guidance. Ajax don't want any unrest and it's crucial that the club continues to walk the path it's currently walking.

"However, it's not a surprise for us that a coach like Martin has attracted the interest of other teams."

Jol, who joined Ajax from Hamburg last summer, is reported to have already opened negotiations Fulham, who have earmarked him as Roy Hodgson’s successor after talks with Sven Goran Eriksson broke down.

The 54-year-old still has a house in London and would welcome another crack at the Premier League, having led Spurs to the verge of the Champions League with a fifth-placed finish in 2006 –  their highest since 1990.

Fulham fly out for a 10-day pre-season tour of Sweden today and hope Jol will be able to link up with the squad before the end of the week.