The 72 Hour Cock Up (Just In Case You Missed It)

[White Noise]

The Daily Mail report that Fulham were surprised at the collapse of talks with Jol this week when it became clear a £1m break clause in his contract was no longer valid.

Ajax had finally relented and agreed to see a delegation from south-west London on Wednesday night.

But what was to be a new dawn for Fulham turned out to be a false one. They, along with Jol, believed the Dutchman's determination to quit the four-time European champions, allied to the escape clause, would force his paymasters into accepting defeat.

But upon closer inspection it was found the window of opportunity had closed on Sunday.

Had it still been in operation, Fulham would have been able to hand over £1m and speak to their target, irrespective of Ajax's wishes.

[Hazey]

If true that is a ridiculous cock up.

School boy error!

Fark me if we ran our hospital this way people would be freaking dead everywhere!

[White Noise]

If true that is a ridiculous cock up.

School boy error!

Fark me if we ran our hospital this way people would be freaking dead everywhere!

Yeah but whose error? Jol's methinks. I have recruited people who have not read their contracts properly and have told me one thing and then be unable to come on board at the time desired. Martin Jol does not look like a big reader to me. Big eater, drinker, shagger, fighter, hellraiser - yes, but reader of contracts no. I guess it is his agents fault - but the agent would probably blame it on that large breasted PA he recruited without looking at her CV.

[TonyGilroy]

Which is what I guessed at yesterday


"Probably because the exit clause had a window of opportunity. Maybe it could be activated only in May or June for example. It's one thing to lose your manager in the middle of the season and quite another in the summer.

It might even be that the expiration date was, say, 21st July and Ajax strung things out and Jol either forgot (or didn't really want) to serve the necessary notice.

I normally charge for this sort of thing."

Thing is that Jol still had the option of resigning. The compensation payable would have been the value of his remaining contract - the money he would have earned.

An injunction to stop him leaving would have been possible but very unlikely.

Had Ajax sacked Jol he couldn't have refused to go or taken out an injunction to stop them appointing a successor - he'd have got damages.

Jol may have used us or changed his mind. Maybe he was dithering and we put an end to it but the bottom line is that he chose not to come to us.

Our only possible mistake was not sussing that he wasn't serious or committed.