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Fulham football club's prime target has slipped through their fingers leaving them managerless just weeks before the start of the season. Contracts were signed, compensation negotiated and the rival candidates informed of their failure to make the grade - the move for Martin Jol has backfired spectacularly. This mornings news from Ajax was not that all unexpected as news emerged from the Netherlands of Jol's 'change of heart'- noises from the continent of Jol's apparent power play to secure transfer guarantees from the Dutch league’s runners up had paid off. It seemed the man had his heart on another crack at the Premiership but the pain of so narrowly losing out to former England boss Steve McClaren's FC Twente to the Dutch league last season has seen him spurn the South West Londoners. Personnel terms were agreed, Fulham chief executive Alistair Mackintosh travelled to the Netherlands for direct talks as the clubs battled out a compensation package with the new man set to fly to Sweden to join up with his new squad on a pre season tour. That announcement was widely expected last Saturday - the race is now wide open with the new manager acutely aware that he will always be known as the second favorite for the top job. It was believed that former favourite Sven Goran Eriksson was dodged due to his high wage demands but Fulham may have to chase and pay the current Ivory Coast what he wants if they're to have a top flight manager at the helm come August 14. But does the Swede want the job? Before Jol emerged as the likely successor to Roy Hodgson he threw cold water on returning to England revealing he is mulling over a new contract with the Elephants. Eriksson told Swedish broadcaster SVT: "I do not know, honestly. I do not think Fulham have decided what they want to do. They (Ivory Coast) were really pleased (with the team's efforts in the World Cup) and I guess that I can stay on if I want to. If so, it will be for four years until the next World Cup finals. I'll make up my mind in a week or so. I have to do it soon since there are friendlies in August and qualifications for the Africa Cup of Nations in September and October." Also putting the breaks on a possible move to the Whites is Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld who ruled himself out of the running. The 61-year-old saying: "I've now got another two years in Switzerland – and they will be my last two years in management." Last week it was revealed that the long drawn out process was affecting the team. "It is a little bit frustrating not having someone in place," said midfielder Simon Davies following Fulham's opening pre-season fixture against Brentford on Wednesday. "I've no idea who it's going to be but the club have said that by the end of this week or the beginning of next week, they'll have someone in place." USA coach Bob Bradley was out of the frame after the United States Soccer Federation outlined their intention to extend Bradley's current contract. A representative of former Siena manager Alberto Malesani, Michele Ruggiero, revealed that Fulham are interested. Glenn Hoddle, Mark Hughes, Tony Mowbray, Alan Curbishley and Gianfranco Zola all failed to make the cut as Fulham compiled their three man shortlist. With many of these famous name booted out of their respective clubs at the hands of boardroom shenanigans the London club's top brass will have to play any rapprochement very carefully.
How Jol bowed out
Jol clarified the situation by telling Ajax's website: "Ajax let me know they didn't want me to go. And I don't think I can bring myself to leave Ajax at this time. I came here last summer to be successful, to build a good team and to have fun. And those three things are what I am interested in achieving next season. Last Thursday was the first time I heard of Fulham's interest and it gave me some tough days as it made me doubt," added Jol, who signed a three-year deal when he joined Ajax last July."
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