Jol under pressure to deliver

Updated 09.39 Wed Aug 22 2007

Keywords: Juande Ramos, Sevilla, Premier League, Martin Jol, Tottenham Hotspur, football, sport

Martin Jol is under pressure to deliver Champions League football to Tottenham Hotspur after clear-the-air talks with chairman Daniel Levy.

The Dutchman's position in the White Hart Lane hotseat has been the subject of much speculation with the likes of Sevilla boss Juande Ramos being linked with the north Londoners.

"It is realistic that we should look to challenge for a top-four position and I have assured him and the board that is what I shall aim for. Yes, it is pressure to deliver, but that is what we managers should expect" - Martin Jol

But Jol has insisted that he is up to the task of helping Spurs break into the Premier League's top four having guided them to fifth place finishes for the last two seasons.

Following talks with Levy, the Tottenham boss said: "We had a full and frank conversation and I fully understand the ambitions of the club.

Back-to-back defeats at the hands of Sunderland and Everton had put Jol under pressure following his £40 million summer spending spree which saw Darren Bent, Gareth Bale, Younes Kaboul and Kevin-Prince Boateng head to the Lane.

But he will be hoping to build on last Saturday's 4-0 drubbing of Derby County when Spurs visit Premier League champions Manchester United.

Levy said: "We have discussed all of these expectations with Martin and he has confirmed to me that he feels he is equipped with a squad and a determination to take on that challenge."

Sevilla want Ramos to stay for at least the year he has remaining on his contract with president Jose Maria del Nido saying: "I have had conversations with the coach who has confirmed to me he is going to fulfil his contract.

"All the speculation that he is going to leave Sevilla are false and until June 30 2008, at least, he is going to be with us."