Martin Jol is new Fulham manager

Fulham have hired Martin Jol to replace Mark Hughes as manager of the English Premier League club.

The 55-year-old Dutchman has agreed to an initial two-year contract with the west London side, with the option for a further year's extension.

Hughes resigned as Fulham manager last week after one season in charge, following the club's eight-place finish in the Premier League table.

As revealed by The National, Jol was Fulham's first choice following Hughes's departure.

Fulham wanted Jol to succeed Roy Hodgson last summer. They made an offer to the Dutchman under the mistaken understanding that the popular former Tottenham Hotspur manager was free to leave Ajax Amsterdam.

Jol, who led Tottenham to consecutive fifth-placed finishes before being ditched in 2007, has subsequently left Ajax and is free to return to London where he still owns a house.

sports@thenational.ae