Jol farce over £4m exit deal

As Standard Sport exclusively revealed yesterday, a meeting of senior board members was held to discuss possible replacements to take over for the rest of the season.

A group of directors, including chairman Daniel Levy, met at the club's training ground in Chigwell yesterday afternoon while Jol was preparing his squad for tomorrow's Carling Cup tie against Middlesbrough.

It is understood that they discussed possible candidates for the caretaker role having already earmarked Sevilla coach Juande Ramos to take charge on a permanent basis next summer.

Reserve-team coach Clive Allen, who led his side to the championship last season, was discussed at length but there are concerns that he is not yet ready to manage in the Premier League.

The situation is quickly turning into a shambles with the club still unsure of who they can bring in to keep the seat warm for Ramos. That means they can't get rid of Jol, who will walk away with £4million compensation, just yet.

It leaves the Dutchman in the terrible position of knowing it is only a matter of time before he loses his job, but the massive compensation payment ensures he will continue without speaking out. Former Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle, who was himself replaced as manager by Levy after only six games of the season in 2003, believes the way Jol has been treated is disgraceful.

He said: "The same thing that looks like is happening to Martin happened to me so I have got every sympathy for him. It is okay saying you have given him [Jol] £40m to spend and then instantly wanting results and telling him that he has to get into the top four, but the directors need to be a little bit more patient. The fans are behind Martin and so are the players."

Jol, who is understood to have contacted the League Manager's Association for legal advice, last night issued a denial he was leaving on the club's official website, but sources close to Jol confirmed that the club's attempts to get Jose Mourinho last week was the final straw.