Axe me and you could have big problems, warns Jol

The Dutchman was given a vote of confidence from Levy after Spurs officials were caught meeting Sevilla coach Juande Ramos 11 days ago.

Adamant: Martin Jol says if Spurs replace him with a manager who doesn't speak much English, they could have similar difficulties to those they experienced with Jacques Santini

However, it is believed that Jol's position at the club is still very much under threat and that Ramos, who can't speak much English, remains high on the wish-list despite his initial decision to stay in Spain.

Champions League football is a must for Levy but the club has started with three defeats in the first four games, with tough matches at Fulham and at home to Arsenal to come.

The last time Spurs went for a big-name foreign manager they ended up with former France coach Santini in 2004.

He struggled with the language and was replaced by Jol, his assistant manager, after a miserable three months in charge.

Jol said: "If someone else wants to come to Spurs and can promise the board they can get into the top four then good luck to them, but I think I have done a good job.

"But if you go for top managers and they don't know the language you can have a big, big problem. Tottenham have experienced this before."

Jol failed to put an end to the speculation over his future after defeat against Manchester United at the weekend.

Asked if he was confident he will still be in a job next month he replied "we'll see".