Jol staying at Spurs, says Levy

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has told under-fire manager Martin Jol that his job is safe but has warned him he wants to see Spurs in the Champions League.

Levy said in a statement: "We are an ambitious club and we have discussed our expectations with Martin.

"For that we need our management standards to be of the highest quality so that we can compete with the best.

"Martin has confirmed to me that he feels he is equipped with a squad and a determination to take the challenge."

Jol and his assistant Chris Hughton met with Levy and the rest of the Spurs' board on Tuesday.

"We had a full and frank conversation," added Jol. "I fully understand the ambitions of the club - they are the same as the supporters.

"He has put a lot of hard work into this club and with the squad of players we have assembled, it is realistic that we should look to challenge for a top four position and I have assured him and the Board that that is what I shall aim for.

"Yes, it is pressure to deliver, but that is what we managers should expect. Hopefully all the media will relax now - all I shall be concentrating on is each and every game."

Spurs lost their first two matches this season but beat Derby 4-0 on Saturday.

BBC Radio 5live football correspondent Jonathan Legard believes some senior club officials are not sure Jol can deliver regular top-four Premier League finishes.

Sevilla coach Juande Ramos was thought to be in line to replace him but now looks set to stay in Spain.

On Monday, Ramos' agent Alvaro Torres denied there had been any talks with Tottenham, despite Spanish press reports claiming that the 52-year-old coach met with Spurs officials at the weekend.

Both clubs said Ramos' appearance at a Spanish hotel was a private matter and Torres said the meeting was with a friend and had "nothing to do with football".

And Sevilla sporting director Ramon Rodriguez has outlined the Spanish's club determination to keep Ramos.

"From the club's point of view, Ramos has one year left on his contract with Sevilla," said Rodriguez.

"There's no doubt that we want him to continue."

Italy's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi and Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp have also been linked to the post at White Hart Lane.

Jol came under pressure after the two losses - to Sunderland and Everton - in the first four days of the season following a �40m summer outlay on players.

But Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov says he has no problem with Jol, despite claims he wanted to sell the Bulgarian, who reacted angrily after being substituted at Sunderland.

Berbatov's agent Emil Dantchev told BBC Sport: "I can tell you for sure that there is not a problem."

Jol signed Berbatov for �10.9m from German side Bayer Leverkusen the previous summer and the Bulgaria international scored 22 goals in his first season at White Hart Lane.

Dantchev added: "Martin Jol is one of the people Dimitar has a very big respect for and he is not a player who can permit himself to make problems for the manager.

"The manager is one of the reasons that Dimitar came to Tottenham. They have a very good relationship."

Berbatov was said to be unhappy following his substitution after 77 minutes of his team's defeat at Sunderland on the opening day of the season.

But Dantchev said: "If he was not happy it was because they did not have a good result and his job is to help the club win games.

"They discussed the situation but it is football matter, it is normal."

Source: BBC Sport