Jol: My position has not been weakened

Fulham manager Martin Jol insists the recent addition of Rene Meulensteen as head coach at Craven Cottage has not undermined his position.

Meulensteen, the highly-regarded former assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, was drafted in alongside the under-pressure Whites boss last week, with many believing him to be a possible successor to Jol.

But Jol says Meulensteen was his appointment following a seven month-long pursuit and can help turn their dismal start to the season around.

“I spoke to him when I heard they were looking to change staff at Man United,” Jol explained.

“He decided to go to Anzhi, and then we had a very good discussion after he left Anzhi but he had offers from Germany and Qatar.

“He had to make his mind up and he did – he was going to Qatar – but before he signed for them I texted him again just before the Man United game and, by coincidence, he texted me back saying he wanted to come back to England.

“It was very surprising and obviously I was very happy. He is a very good trainer and coach and that’s why we took him.

“We did a lot to get him. After the first time we spoke, I asked the chairman to go back for him again because I thought he wasn’t coming. But in the end he decided to come here and that was great.”

Fulham suffered three straight league defeats prior to Meulentseen’s arrival and Jol’s position came under the most intense scrutiny yet following a 4-0 thrashing at Liverpool that sent the Whites back into the bottom three.

But Jol said: “People can always speculate on things but, for me, Rene coming in is not an issue.

“I know him well – for at least 25 years – and maybe he does have aspirations to be a manager, you’ll have to ask him, but on his CV he is more or less a head coach or an assistant.

“He was not a manager before and I think his qualities are on the training pitch during the week.

“My role hasn’t changed. I gave Rene a little more responsibility in the first week because I thought it would be good for the players to get to know him. But things are no different than before.”

Jol added: “With Rene I feel we get a different rhythm, a different tongue, a different mouth – and that’s what I needed.

“I spoke to English guys as well but I thought Rene was the one who could come in and change something.

“If it doesn’t help over the next couple of weeks I won’t blame Rene, I will blame myself. But I have the feeling we’ve got a good spirit again.”

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook