Fulham’s hopes of acquiring Martin Jol as their new manager have been dashed after the Dutchman confirmed his decision to stay with Ajax.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Hamburg boss was the Cottagers’ number one target to take over in West London after Roy Hodgson’s departure for Liverpool, and he himself had previously reportedly told the Amsterdam club that he wanted to return and manage in England again.
However, Ajax have been determined to keep hold of Jol, who had grown frustrated by the departure of players and lack of funds for replacements.
The Dutch giants, who finished second to Steve McClaren’s FC Twente in the Eredivisie last term, had been completely unwilling to let Jol go throught all of the last week of speculation, and have since held further talks with him, talks that appear to have convinced him to stay put.
"Ajax told me they did not want to let me go and I don't think I can bring myself to leave Ajax at this time," Jol said on the Dutch club’sofficial website on Thursday morning.
"I came here last summer to be successful, the build a good team and to have fun, and those three things are what I am interested in achieving next season.
"I am pleased that this hectic few days is over. We are all going to do our best to get the team to the desired level."
Fulham, it seems, will now have to look elsewhere.