Arnesen confident Jol will resist lure of Ajax job

Frank Arnesen, Tottenham's sporting director, is keen to assure supporters that the club's head coach, Martin Jol, will not be leaving White Hart Lane, despite reported interest from Ajax in taking him back to the Netherlands.

Ajax are understood to have Jol at the top of their shortlist as they search for a new manager following the resignation of Ronald Koeman. Although Arnesen conceded that the opportunity for a Dutchman to manage Ajax is rare and tempting, he said he was certain Jol would reject the lure of Amsterdam to stay with Tottenham.

"Martin is here for the foreseeable future," Arnesen said. "Ajax is a magnet, but so is Spurs. I have no fear on that. It's true that Ajax like him, and I love that, but he stays. We have to make sure our people are happy here and that is what we are doing. I am convinced he will be coach here. He is very happy.

"He is relaxed, as I am. We speak on a daily basis and I am very comfortable and sure he will stay. What he has said publicly is what he has said to me privately."

Jol is said to be frustrated that negotiations over a new contract are dragging on and reports have suggested he is unhappy that Tottenham have not offered more money.

He is reported to be on Ajax's three-man shortlist, including the Ajax youth team coach Danny Blind and current Barcelona assistant Henk Ten Cate. Arnesen said he was not surprised Jol had attracted the attention of Ajax after the strides he has made with Tottenham this season.

"Martin is very good and it is good that a big club like Ajax are talking about our people," he said. "I was delighted he came to Tottenham. I was so convinced and so confident in his capacity as a coach and a man-manager that I thought it was the right man in the right spot. He has proven that on a weekly basis.

"We have a combination of a very good coach, very good players and together we are growing and I am delighted we are going in the right direction."

Jol initially arrived at Tottenham as assistant to Jacques Santini, having become one of the most respected managers in the Netherlands by transforming the unfashionable RKC Waalwijk into European challengers on a tight budget.

It is understood that Jol was the man Arnesen wanted to appoint as head coach and, when Santini left, he had no hesitation in promoting the former West Bromwich midfielder.