Thursday Fulham Stuff (22.07.10)

[White Noise]

Fulham refuse to back down over Jol

Published 23:00 21/07/10

By Darren Lewis



Mohamed Al-Fayed is still confident of bringing Martin Jol to Fulham as the Ajaxgate saga rolls into a FOURTH day.

Jol agreed a three-year deal with the Cottagers owner at the weekend, as revealed by Mirror Sport.

The 54-year-old Dutchman - sacked by Spurs three years ago - expected Ajax to agree compensation with Fulham swiftly, allowing him to return to the Premier League on Monday.

But Ajax immediately blocked the deal, refusing to speak to the London club, and launched a desperate bid to persuade Jol to stay.

It emerged last night, however, that despite promising the Dutchman the funds he has demanded to strengthen the runners-up in last season's Eredevisie, Ajax simply do not have the money.

It is also understood, however, that Ajax are keen not to score the PR own goal of allowing the man who also led the four-time European Cup winners to last season's Dutch Cup to simply walk away for a club of supposedly smaller stature.

Fulham, however, have refused to back down, with chief executive Alistair Mackintosh in Amsterdam with instructions from Al Fayed to seal the deal.

The club's players, meanwhile, are still out in Sweden on their 10-day pre-season tour and have been engaging in the pre-season routine they have normally undergone under former boss Roy Hodgson.

Meanwhile former Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez believes the club will be left with red-faced and in disarray if they fail to land Jol.

Sanchez, Hodgson's predecessor, said: "You look at his record at Spurs and he did reasonably well there before they undermined him, by seeing Juande Ramos two games into the new season [with a view to replace Jol].

"For him, it'd be a fantastic return to the Premier League, because I'm sure he'd like to prove to Tottenham that he's a good manager.

"For Fulham, they're essentially a little bit hamstrung now, because it's become so public that if they don't land him, they'll have egg all over their face. Jol is in a win-win situation at the moment.

"It's a fantastic Premier League club, it's a traditional club, fantastic stadium, good support with an owner that's one of the richest in the country and a fantastic training ground.

"There would be a lot of managers, Martin Jol included, who would take that job without hesitating."

There is uncertainty within the squad as around nine players are entering the final year of their contracts and fear they will be sacrificed for higher-profile stars with Jol having been handed a £25million war chest from Al Fayed.

Sanchez added: "When a new manager comes in, they have their own opinion on players. There was a massive turn around when I came into the job and the same with Roy and it will happen if Martin Jol comes in.

"There's talk of (Mark) Schwarzer, (Paul) Konchesky and (Bobby) Zamora leaving but it is in the club's domain whether those players are allowed to leave or not. Mark Schwarzer is 37 so if you can get £2million for him then it's a decent deal and he's been a good servant to the club.

"If Martin Jol comes in, he hasn't been in the Premier League for two or three years and probably won't know the players much and certainly won't know them intimately through their play, so he's only got until the end of the transfer market to get his squad the way he wants.

"With all of this up in the air, it can be unsettling for the players.

They don't know what sort of system they're going to be playing next year, so it's got to be sorted out sooner, rather than later."



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-refuse-to-back-down-over-Martin-Jol-and-are-still-confident-they-can-lure-him-from-Ajax-article533171.html#ixzz0uMHjF7Pk

[White Noise]

Hleb offered to Fulham and Birmingham with Barca desperate to sell

Published 23:00 21/07/10

By Football Spy


Barcelona are trying to offload midfield misfit Alexander Hleb for a bargain £3million.

Barca are prepared to take a huge loss on the Belarus midfielder (above) and have offered him to Fulham and Birmingham. They paid Arsenal £10m for him two years ago.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Former-Arsenal-star-Alexander-Hleb-offered-to-Fulham-and-Birmingham-with-Barcelona-desperate-to-sell-article533153.html#ixzz0uMIPFZBQ

[White Noise]

Milner refusing to sign new Villa contract after missing out on City move

Published 23:00 21/07/10

By James Nursey


James Milner is refusing to sign a new deal at Aston Villa this year after being priced out of a move to Man City.

England midfielder Milner, 24, is set to return to pre-season training at Villa on Monday.

And he fears his dream of a summer move to Eastlands is over after Villa refused to budge from their £30million price tag.

City had a bid of £18m plus £2m in add-ons for Milner, who has 11 caps, rejected in May.

City officials were prepared to go to £25m but Villa are steadfastly refusing to drop their valuation.

Villa are also insisting on a straight cash deal despite City's willingness to include fringe players like Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha.

Now Milner expects to spend the forthcoming campaign at Villa, where he has two years left on a £45,000-a-week deal.

Villa are keen for Milner to extend his contract as he will only have 12 months left this time next summer.

But the ace is no rush to commit his long-term future to Villa and has told them he won't be sitting down to talk terms in 2010.

Villa were willing to make Milner their highest-paid player on a new contract eclipsing Ashley Young's salary of £65,000-a-week.

But no contract talks are scheduled with the player, who just wants to concentrate on performing well again this season after a brilliant club campaign.

The deadlock in negotiations with City has surprised Villa who had budgeted on spending the cash from Milner's sale on Spurs striker Robbie Keane and Celtic winger Aiden McGeady.

Interest in Milner - signed from Newcastle in August 2008 for £12m - from Manchester United and Chelsea has also cooled due to his astronomical price.

Villa, who must sell to buy, are now stepping up their efforts to offload squad men like Steve Sidwell, Nigel Reo-Coker, Nicky Shorey, Luke Young and Curtis Davies.

But Sidwell, Reo-Coker and Shorey only have 12 months left on their contracts and will not command much as they are free agents next summer.

Fulham remain favourites for Sidwell after Mirrorsport revealed on June 17 the Cottagers had bid for the midfielder.


Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/James-Milner-refusing-to-sign-new-Aston-Villa-contract-after-missing-out-on-Manchester-City-move-article533151.html#ixzz0uMIwqxLP

[White Noise]

Arsenal hope to keep Sol after Everton knock back Jagielka bid

Published 23:00 21/07/10


By John Cross



Arsene Wenger believes he can persuade Sol ­Campbell to stay at Arsenal.

Campbell, 35, is a free agent and has had offers from Newcastle, Sunderland and Celtic have put forward a two-year contract.

But there is still a one-year deal on the table for Campbell at Arsenal and Wenger is hoping that his affection for the club will prove decisive.

Wenger is a huge admirer of Campbell and believes his experience last season was a strong influence on the dressing room.

Arsenal have already signed centre half Laurent Koscielny from Lorient for £8m but are still short of defensive cover after losing William Gallas, Philippe Senderos and Mikael Silvestre on free transfers this summer.

Even with the return of fit-again Johan Djourou, Wenger would ideally like to keep Campbell and sign another centre half.

Arsenal remain interested in Everton's Phil Jagielka despite having an enquiry knocked back with David Moyes adamant that he will not sell the England international.

Wenger is unlikely to break the bank for Jagielka which may see them renew their interest in Dynamo Kiev's Senegalese defender Pape Diakhate.

Arsenal have looked at home and abroad for a defender while their top keeper target remains Fulham's Mark Schwarzer, 37, as that would allow their youngsters to develop.

Schwarzer wants the chance to join Arsenal but will have to wait until Fulham can install Martin Jol.

Eduardo's ill-fated spell at Arsenal was brought to a close last night when he completed his £6 million move to Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Brazilian-born Croatia striker has agreed a four-year deal with the big-spending Ukrainian club three years after signing for Arsenal.

Just as he was showing signs that he was adjusting to the Premier League, he suffered a horrendous broken leg and dislocated ankle at Birmingham.

The severity of the injury shocked Eduardo's team-mates and although the 27-year-old made his comeback in February 2009, almost exactly a year after the controversial challenge by Martin Taylor there were concerns he has never recaptured his previous form.

Shakhtar's Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu said: "We wanted to buy Eduardo before he moved to Arsenal.

"Not everything went his way last season, but he is still a player of very high quality, a real marksman.

"Yes, he had a serious injury, we are aware of the risk, but at the same time we realise he can give a lot to Shakhtar. We expect a lot from Eduardo."



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-transfer-news-Gunners-hope-to-keep-Sol-Campbell-after-Everton-knock-back-Phil-Jagielka-bid-article533145.html#ixzz0uMJeFvnv

[White Noise]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jul/21/martin-jol-fulham-personal-terms


Ajax unmoved as Martin Jol agrees personal terms with Fulham

• Sources claim Jol has agreed three-year deal with Fulham

• Ajax, however, refuse to negotiate manager's release

   (5)Tweet this (23)David Hytner guardian.co.uk,

Wednesday 21 July 2010 16.21 BST

Martin Jol has two years left on his contract with Ajax. Photograph: Keith Williams/Action Images

Martin Jol has finalised personal terms on his move to Fulham and the only thing that is holding up the transfer is Ajax's continued refusal to negotiate with the London club over the manager's release.

According to sources in the Netherlands, Jol has agreed a three-year deal at Craven Cottage worth in the region of £2m a year. The contract is prepared and is merely awaiting his signature. It is the result of lengthy talks between Jol and Fulham.

Ajax, however, have dug in their heels and although the Fulham chief executive, Alistair Mackintosh, is in Amsterdam with the intention of closing the deal, the Dutch club have pulled down the shutters. Jol has two years to run on his contract at Ajax and they are keen to hold him to that, despite his desire to take on the challenge of succeeding Roy Hodgson at Fulham.

Jol is in dispute with Ajax over the direction in which the club are heading. Having recorded a loss of €20m (£16.8m), they have released the striker Marko Pantelic and the midfielder Dennis Rommedahl, and Jol is worried that further cutbacks are imminent. Ajax are fighting to convince him otherwise and said earlier today that they had ended negotiations with Bayern Munich over the proposed sale of the full-back Gregory van der Wiel.

One of the attractions for Jol at Fulham would be a freer rein on transfers. Mohamed Al Fayed, the chairman, has a history of backing his managers and would allow Jol to strengthen the squad who reached the final of last season's Europa League

[White Noise]

Murphy tells Fulham chiefs to hurry up and appoint Jol


Published 15:28 21/07/10


By James Nursey


Fulham skipper Danny Murphy has urged the club to hurry up and appoint Martin Jol as manager.

The Craven Cottage outfit have been in limbo since last month after boss Roy Hodgson went to Liverpool.

But Murphy and his team-mates are keen to build on the success of last season when they reach the Europa League final.

And influential midfielder Murphy,33, has now spoken to Fulham chief executive Alistair Mackintosh to urge him to appoint Jol swiftly.

Ajax manager Jol spent today trying to broke his exit from the Amsterdam club.

Fulham want to confirm his appointment later this week despite the Dutch club's hopes of retaining his services.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/New-Fulham-boss-Danny-Murphy-tells-club-chiefs-to-hurry-up-and-appoint-Martin-Jol-article533031.html#ixzz0uLL3rsz4

[White Noise]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jul/21/david-james-celtic-sunderland-fulham


David James ponders interest from Celtic, Sunderland and Fulham

• David James expected to decide on future this week

• Neil Lennon hopeful of tempting goalkeeper to Celtic

   
Tweet this (7)Stuart James guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 21 July 2010 23.00 


David James is likely to make a decision on his future at the end of the week as the England international considers interest from Fulham, Celtic and Sunderland. James, who will turn 40 next month, is currently available on a free transfer, after choosing not to take up an offer to stay at Portsmouth for another season, and has been keen to keep his options open during the summer to see what opportunities materialise elsewhere.

James's agent, Colin Gordon, contacted Celtic after Artur Boruc moved to Fiorentina and preliminary talks are scheduled to take place when the Scottish Premier League club return from their pre-season tour of the US later this week. Sunderland have also emerged as potential suitors, after their first-choice goalkeeper Craig Gordon broke his arm for the second time in eight months, while Fulham's pursuit is dependent on Mark Schwarzer, who has been a transfer target for Arsenal this summer, leaving Craven Cottage.

Celtic have taken encouragement from the fact that James's representative made the first move, although there are doubts about whether they would be in a position to meet his salary demands. James is thought to have been earning about £50,000 per week at Fratton Park and that sum is almost certain to exceed what Celtic would be willing to pay. Neil Lennon, however, believes that the talks are worth having as he seeks to bring in an experienced replacement for Boruc.

"We are still a long way off and it's early days in terms of negotiation," said the Celtic manager. "But just the fact he is interested is very encouraging from our point of view. I want to get the best goalkeeper I possibly can. Not only for the league and Europe but also someone who can fill Artur's shoes – and he's one who can. He will come up and have a look and see if he fancies it. I'd like to speak to him myself and see what he is thinking, but the fact they have made the initial contact is very encouraging."

James is said to have an open mind about the possibilities in front of him, with finance not necessarily the overriding factor for a player whose 22-year career, which includes spells at Watford, Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham United, Manchester City and, most recently, Portsmouth, has rewarded him well. Indeed Lennon might well hope that the opportunity to immediately feature in the Champions League, where Celtic take on Sporting Braga in a third-round qualifying tie next week, proves attractive to James.

Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager, is still considering his next move in the wake of what he has described as a "freak accident" to Gordon in training. He has Marton Fulop, who ended last season on loan at Manchester City, to call upon, as well as several younger goalkeepers, but it is thought likely that he will pursue a more seasoned replacement for Gordon, who is certain to miss the start of the new campaign. James, who started three games for England at the World Cup finals, would tick that box.

[White Noise]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/fulham/7903474/Martin-Jol-inches-closer-to-Fulham-move-after-Ajax-agree-to-talks.html


Martin Jol inches closer to Fulham move after Ajax agree to talks

Martin Jol has taken another step towards leaving Ajax for Fulham after reiterating his desire to leave the Dutch club in a meeting with the board.

By Jonathan Liew

Published: 7:11PM BST 21 Jul 2010


Ajax finally agreed to meet Fulham's chief executive Alistair Mackintosh for the first time in Amsterdam on Wednesday, but are still determined to cling on to Jol's services, even though the former Tottenham manager has already told them he wants to join Fulham.

Jol's frustration was clear after a friendly win against amateur side Rijnburgse Boys, when he criticised the club for allowing key players to leave.
"We have lost some good players and no-one is coming in," he said. "I fear for the future of Ajax in this position. I see teams buying players and that is what Ajax should be doing."

Reports in Holland suggest that Jol may already have agreed a deal with Fulham worth up to £2 million a year.

However, even if a deal has been thrashed out in principle, Jol is unable to sign it until Ajax consent to release him, and at present they appear intent on retaining their manager, who has two years remaining on his present deal.

In a last-ditch attempt to persuade Jol to stay, they broke off negotiations with Bayern Munich over the sale of Dutch international defender Gregory van der Wiel, another transfer that has exasperated Jol.

However, Jol has also long been disenchanted by the lack of transfer funds available, and is more keen than ever to move to Fulham, where he will be handed around £20 million to build on the work of Roy Hodgson

[White Noise]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jul/21/martin-jol-fulham-personal-terms


Ajax's stance softens as Martin Jol agrees personal terms with Fulham

• Sources claim Jol has agreed three-year deal with Fulham

• Ajax ready to open talks over a severance package

   

(8)Tweet this (29)David Hytner guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 21 July 2010 16.21 BST Article history


Martin Jol has agreed personal terms on a move to Fulham and the London club were cautiously optimistic about the prospect of the deal being struck as Ajax indicated tonight that they are ready to open talks over the manager's release.

According to sources in the Netherlands, Jol has agreed in principle a three-year contract at Craven Cottage worth in the region of £2m-a-year. The paperwork is prepared and is merely awaiting his signature. It is the result of lengthy talks between Jol and Fulham.

Ajax have dug in their heels but Fulham's chief executive Alistair Mackintosh, who has been in Amsterdam, finally got the nod to meet with Ajax's directors, which has been interpreted in west London as a softening of the Dutch club's stance. Jol has two years to run on his contract and Ajax have demonstrated a keenness to hold him to that, despite his desire to take on the challenge of succeeding Roy Hodgson at Fulham.

Jol is in dispute with Ajax over the direction in which the club is heading. Having recorded a loss of €20m (£16.8m), they have released the striker Marko Pantelic and the midfielder Dennis Rommedahl, and Jol is worried that further cut-backs are imminent. Ajax have fought to convince him otherwise and they said that they had ended negotiations with Bayern Munich over the proposed sale of the full-back Gregory van der Wiel.

One of the attractions for Jol at Fulham would be a freer rein on transfers. Mohamed Al Fayed, the chairman, has a history of backing his managers and would allow Jol to strengthen the squad that reached the final of last season's Europa League.

The impasse has caused frustration and an element of bewilderment at Fulham, who cannot understand why Ajax have refused to accept that their manager wants to leave them. Jol does not want to walk out on Ajax and open himself up to being sued by them, potentially at great cost, and so he has waited for Fulham to agree a suitable severance package, which they have been keen to do.

For Fulham, the situation carries some similarities with that of Hodgson from earlier in the summer. From the moment that Liverpool made him their top target to succeed Rafael Benítez, Fulham knew that he wanted to go but Hodgson would not resign for the fear of losing out financially. Instead, he waited for a compensation package to be agreed before he wrote his letter of resignation.

Jol, meanwhile, has played the game with the Dutch media. He told the Tuesday edition of De Telegraaf that Fulham "was interested but, in principle, I'm staying at Ajax" while he has subsequently expressed a willingness to talk about the future with Ajax, and plot how the club ought best to move forward.

At the same time, he has made plain his irritation at the financial constraints placed upon him, which are largely the legacy of the spending of his predecessor Marco van Basten. He has lamented the departures and stressed the need to strengthen, while pointing out that, at present, the funds are not available.

In another twist, Jol has found himself under attack from the Ajax striker Miralem Sulejmani, who Van Basten signed for €16m only for him to struggle. West Ham wanted to take Sulejamani on loan only for the deal to be blocked. The player blames Jol.

"I really don't understand why Jol has vetoed the move," he said. "It looks like he's trying to ruin my career. I was looking forward to relaunching my career at West Ham. Their manager sees me as a big talent and I'm keen to make a fresh start elsewhere."

[Tom]

Fulham refuse to back down over Jol

Published 23:00 21/07/10

By Darren Lewis



Mohamed Al-Fayed is still confident of bringing Martin Jol to Fulham as the Ajaxgate saga rolls into a FOURTH day.

Jol agreed a three-year deal with the Cottagers owner at the weekend, as revealed by Mirror Sport.

The 54-year-old Dutchman - sacked by Spurs three years ago - expected Ajax to agree compensation with Fulham swiftly, allowing him to return to the Premier League on Monday.

But Ajax immediately blocked the deal, refusing to speak to the London club, and launched a desperate bid to persuade Jol to stay.

It emerged last night, however, that despite promising the Dutchman the funds he has demanded to strengthen the runners-up in last season's Eredevisie, Ajax simply do not have the money.

It is also understood, however, that Ajax are keen not to score the PR own goal of allowing the man who also led the four-time European Cup winners to last season's Dutch Cup to simply walk away for a club of supposedly smaller stature.

Fulham, however, have refused to back down, with chief executive Alistair Mackintosh in Amsterdam with instructions from Al Fayed to seal the deal.

The club's players, meanwhile, are still out in Sweden on their 10-day pre-season tour and have been engaging in the pre-season routine they have normally undergone under former boss Roy Hodgson.

Meanwhile former Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez believes the club will be left with red-faced and in disarray if they fail to land Jol.

Sanchez, Hodgson's predecessor, said: "You look at his record at Spurs and he did reasonably well there before they undermined him, by seeing Juande Ramos two games into the new season [with a view to replace Jol].

"For him, it'd be a fantastic return to the Premier League, because I'm sure he'd like to prove to Tottenham that he's a good manager.

"For Fulham, they're essentially a little bit hamstrung now, because it's become so public that if they don't land him, they'll have egg all over their face. Jol is in a win-win situation at the moment.

"It's a fantastic Premier League club, it's a traditional club, fantastic stadium, good support with an owner that's one of the richest in the country and a fantastic training ground.

"There would be a lot of managers, Martin Jol included, who would take that job without hesitating."

There is uncertainty within the squad as around nine players are entering the final year of their contracts and fear they will be sacrificed for higher-profile stars with Jol having been handed a £25million war chest from Al Fayed.

Sanchez added: "When a new manager comes in, they have their own opinion on players. There was a massive turn around when I came into the job and the same with Roy and it will happen if Martin Jol comes in.

"There's talk of (Mark) Schwarzer, (Paul) Konchesky and (Bobby) Zamora leaving but it is in the club's domain whether those players are allowed to leave or not. Mark Schwarzer is 37 so if you can get £2million for him then it's a decent deal and he's been a good servant to the club.

"If Martin Jol comes in, he hasn't been in the Premier League for two or three years and probably won't know the players much and certainly won't know them intimately through their play, so he's only got until the end of the transfer market to get his squad the way he wants.

"With all of this up in the air, it can be unsettling for the players.

They don't know what sort of system they're going to be playing next year, so it's got to be sorted out sooner, rather than later."



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-refuse-to-back-down-over-Martin-Jol-and-are-still-confident-they-can-lure-him-from-Ajax-article533171.html#ixzz0uMHjF7Pk

This is great to hear that we are not backing down till we get our man.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=205598
Fulham - Bullard Fiasco Rumbles On!
How it must be so nice to be so unwanted!

The merry saga of Jimmy Bullard, at Hull City, continues to take many twists and turns.

Earlier this week it was reported, by the red-tops, that Jimmy had accepted a lump sum to leave Hull and join Celtic, then it was reported that he`d turned a move down to Scotland because his family were settled in Yorkshire.

Now I`m not sure how bona-fida either of those claims were but even I`d eventually get the hint when your new boss, Nigel Pearson comes out with the immortal line,

"It`s pretty obvious for both ourselves and Jimmy that it would be a positive thing for him to find another club for financial reasons."

A gun for hire scenario, highest prize secures!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=205598#ixzz0uOEF5Aqg

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=205600
Fulham - Get Jol!
Sent on a mission that appears to be our man in Amsterdam!

In something that could quite easily resemble a spy movie, it`s being inferred that Mr Al Fayed has dispatched his CEO, Alistair Mackintosh, to Amsterdam with the sole intent of getting Martin Jol`s signature on a managerial contract with Fulham.

Yesterday, with reports surfacing in the Dutch press that Jol wanted to join Fulham but was being restricted by Ajax`s refusal to discuss a compensation claim, the move was seen as possibly being in doubt.

In fact, it appears the British media have been prevalent in helping the deal to become complicated with Martin Jol quoted as having remarked,

"Nobody knew about it but now its news in the UK and then it gets over here and its hectic."

Do you get a similar feeling to me that this deal is going to rumble on for a few days yet and that we could still end up disappointed?


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=205600#ixzz0uOEhOoQF

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=205630
Fulham - Egg on Our Faces
A lot has been made of late about how we here at Fulham are a football club on the up. We're supposedly tracking bigger signings, selling more season tickets and of course, with the Martin Jol debacle, 'attracting' an altogether different class of manager.

Whilst touting an experienced and overly successful gaffer in Jol is very ambitious of the Cottagers, there's no doubt that the truth behind the unfolding events leads to a vividly worrying reality.

Of course, it's incredibly difficult to read too deeply into the media reports that are surrounding us, Ajax and Jol, yet, I can't help but get the feeling that in reality, the big Dutchman isn't all too desperate to leave the Netherlands to reside here in his London abode.

There have of course been claims that Martin wants to come to the South West of the capital and Ajax provide the only stumbling block, however, I see that as a slightly optimistic statement when taking into account the words that have come from the horse's mouth.

Loyalty barely exists in football any more. The game we all love has joined the real World in that money is what makes it spin. Reputation and pride come into it, but, at the end of the day, a job is a job and we have jobs to earn hard money.

With that in mind in comes the possibility that we are just a catalyst for Jol's wants at Ajax. The ex-Tottenham boss would like more money to work with and if he threatens to leave the Eredivisie runners-up, he may well get offered it.

Many articles splashed across the web state that this is exactly what Martin Jol is doing, whilst others categorically say he genuinely wants to take up the vacant Craven Cottage post.

Either way, his loyalty has to come into question.

If we are, as rumoured, being used as an outside money generator, we will be left with egg on our faces, and, that will all but diminish our newly found title as a team that is ready to shake up the Premier League.

We will literally have been embarrassed in front of the whole of Europe. It would be almost as if we are George Clooney and our wife had cheated on us with Noel Edmonds.

Not only that, but the search would have to start a scratch. With time constraints and fan pressure applied to Mohammed Al-Fayed and his group of hand-picked appointees, I can only see a rushed and disappointing decision being made.

If the Ajax manager does come, then it's a huge statement of our intent and I will be the first to congratulate Mo on a sterling signing.

On the other hand, if he doesn't come, I will hang my head in my hands and bemoan a wasted month.

Come on Jol; show the World we are a big club after all!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=205630#ixzz0uOExEwfP

[WhiteJC]

http://hammyend.com/?p=7407
Jol 'agrees three-year deal'
by DAN on JULY 21, 2010

According to the Guardian, the only stumbling block is Ajax's intransegience.

According to sources in the Netherlands, Jol has agreed a three-year deal at Craven Cottage worth in the region of £2m a year. The contract is prepared and is merely awaiting his signature. It is the result of lengthy talks between Jol and Fulham.

Ajax, however, have dug in their heels and although the Fulham chief executive, Alistair Mackintosh, is in Amsterdam with the intention of closing the deal, the Dutch club have pulled down the shutters. Jol has two years to run on his contract at Ajax and they are keen to hold him to that, despite his desire to take on the challenge of succeeding Roy Hodgson at Fulham.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/former-fulham-boss-sanchez-two-million-decent-deal-schwarzer-989781?
Former Fulham boss Sanchez: Two million a decent deal for Schwarzer


Former Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez believes the club should take £2million ($3.4m) from Arsenal for Mark Schwarzer.

The Australian goalkeeper is being heavily linked with a London switch from Craven Cottage to the Emirates and Sanchez, who coached the club in 2007, believes what they have been offered so far is a good deal.

"There's talk of (Mark) Schwarzer, (Paul) Konchesky and (Bobby) Zamora leaving but it is in the club's domain whether those players are allowed to leave or not. Mark Schwarzer is 37 so if you can get £2million for him then it's a decent deal and he's been a good servant to the club," he told Sky Sports News.

Fulham have reportedly already rejected a £2million bid for Schwarzer and are believed to be holding out for closer to £4million ($6.9m) whilst Arsenal have offered the veteran a player-coaching role to lure him across town.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-manager-search-delaying-schwarzer-arsenal-move-990701?
Fulham manager search delaying Schwarzer Arsenal move

Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is seeing his move to Arsenal stall over his club's managerial problems.

The London Evening Standard says the uncertainty surrounding Fulham's pursuit of Martin Jol to replace former manager Roy Hodgson is delaying Arsenal's bid for goalkeeper Schwarzer.

Wenger has identified the 37-year-old as the perfect short-term solution as 20-year-old stopper Wojciech Szczesny continues his development.

Schwarzer has reportedly been offered a coaching role working with Arsenal's young crop of goalkeepers and although the Australian is keen on the move, the Cottagers have suspended negotiations until a new man is in place.

Arsenal had a £2m bid rejected and may have to increase their offer to around £3m.

[WhiteJC]

http://hammyend.com/?p=7411
It's far from signed and sealed
by DAN on JULY 22, 2010

Alistair Mackintosh is in Amsterdam to try and secure Jol's signature

Is no news good news? There's not really a way of knowing.

The Daily Star quotes Martin Jol as demanding that his future is sorted out swiftly:

Ajax know about the offer from Fulham. In the past I have had other offers that no-one knows about. Now in England it is public, but that's not my fault.

I am concerned about the future. It's a matter for negotiation. I have not made an ultimatum but I do not want this uncertainty to last all week.

The Independent paints more of a rosy picture – suggesting that Fulham may be in a position to announce Jol's appointment by the end of the week. Mark Fleming's report says the former Tottenham manager remains keen to take over the reigns at Craven Cottage:

Jol has assured Mackintosh that he has not changed his mind about taking over at Fulham following the departure of Roy Hodgson to Liverpool, even though the Dutch press had quoted him as saying he had agreed to stay with Ajax.

Last week Jol agreed terms on a rolling contract with Fulham, who have offered him generous terms. He is understood to have agreed a basic salary of more than £2.5m a year, which is more than double what Hodgson was on. On top, there is a package of performance-linked bonuses, which could potentially add another £1m.

Jol was sold on making the move after conversations with Fulham's owner, Mohamed al-Fayed. He likes the idea of working with just one boss, rather than the complicated management structure at Ajax.

We'll just have to wait patiently.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premiership/fulham-on-brink-of-striking-martin-jol-deal-14882951.html?
Fulham on brink of striking Martin Jol deal

The Fulham chief executive, Alistair Mackintosh, yesterday opened talks with Ajax about releasing Martin Jol, paving the way for the Dutchman to be announced as the new manager at Craven Cottage later this week.

The stand-off between the two competing clubs appeared to be drawing to a close after Ajax mellowed their stance.

The Dutch club had initially refused even to speak with Mackintosh, who has been in Amsterdam since Monday.

Mackintosh and his legal team, however, are prepared to stay in the Netherlands for as long as it takes to secure Jol's release from his £2.5m-a-year contract, which still has two years to run.

Jol has assured Mackintosh that he has not changed his mind about taking over at Fulham following the departure of Roy Hodgson to Liverpool.

Last week Jol agreed terms on a rolling contract with Fulham, who have offered him generous terms.

He is understood to have agreed a basic salary of more than £2.5m a year, which is more than double what Hodgson was on. On top, there is a package of performance-linked bonuses, which could potentially add another £1m.

Jol was sold on making the move after conversations with Fulham's owner, Mohamed al-Fayed.

He likes the idea of working with just one boss, rather than the complicated management structure at Ajax.

Jol has been given assurances by the Ajax board that money would be released for new players. But when Jol asked for that in writing, the board refused.



Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premiership/fulham-on-brink-of-striking-martin-jol-deal-14882951.html?#ixzz0uOGzfWmS

[WhiteJC]

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/10/07/22/SOCCER_Fulham_Jol.html
WAIT FOR MARTIN JOL CONTINUES

Fulham will continue their mission to persuade Ajax to allow manager Martin Jol to leave for Craven Cottage on Thursday.

Jol is eager to succeed Roy Hodgson and the club's chief executive Alistair Mackintosh is in Amsterdam to finalise the move.

Sources in Holland have stated Jol has already agreed personal terms with Fulham.

The 54-year-old former Tottenham manager has two years left on his contract and his departure will require the Cottagers to pay compensation.

However, Ajax are intent on keeping Jol and are still refusing to engage in negotiations with Mackintosh.

It is proving a frustrating courtship for the Europa League finalists, not least because Jol had indicated he has his heart set on moving to south west London.

Ajax finished runners-up by one point in the Dutch Eredivisie last season and won the domestic cup.

However, Jol's relationship with the club's board has soured over their financial problems that has seen Serbia striker Marko Pantelic and Denmark winger Dennis Rommedahl allowed to leave.

Holland right-back Gregory van der Wiel and Uruguay striker Luis Suarez are also to be sold with doubts hanging over how much of the money would be made available to the manager to strengthen the squad.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/July/TourTickets.aspx
Tour Information

Fulham will play two friendly fixtures against Halmstad and Malmo in Sweden whilst preparing for the new Barclays Premier League campaign.

The Whites are based in Varberg for the duration of their stay in Sweden and the Club can now confirm ticket details for supporters wishing to follow the Team this week.

Fulham will play Halmstad first on Thursday 22nd July (KO 8pm local time) at the Örjans Vall Stadium before challenging Malmo on Tuesday 27th July (KO 7pm local time) at the Swedbank Stadion, Malmö.

Fulham v Halmstad

Thursday 22 July




Kick-Off 20:00 (CET)

Tickets can be pre-booked online or purchased on the day of the match


Fulham v Malmo FF

Tuesday 27 July





Kick-Off 19:00 (CET)



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/July/TourTickets.aspx#ixzz0uOHxR4Vf