Jol leaves Hamburg for Ajax
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Article summary
Martin Jol has sealed a return to the Netherlands having been unveiled as Marco van Basten's successor at AFC Ajax, signing a three-year deal after the Dutch side made an agreement with current employers Hamburger SV.
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AFC Ajax have appointed Martin Jol as coach after reaching an agreement with his current club Hamburger SV.
Agreement
Jol, 53, has signed a three-year deal to replace Marco van Basten, who stepped down after leading Ajax to third place in his sole season in charge. The former Roda JC, RKC Waalkwijk and Tottenham Hotspur FC coach moved to the Arena Hamburg last summer and at the start of May the side were in contention for Bundesliga, UEFA Cup and German Cup honours before the campaign petered out, their cup ambitions ended with semi-final defeats while they finished fifth in the league. He will not only coach the Ajax first team but will also be responsible for transfer policy, scouting and the youth department.
'Beautiful opportunity'
"Ajax offers me a beautiful opportunity, with an eye to the long term," Jol said. "I will get a very extensive package of responsibilities. Ajax are a fantastic club and I really look forward to starting my work there. I had a really good time at HSV, they are a great club and Hamburg is a nice city to live and work in. In recent years I have worked abroad, and now I will return to the Netherlands, something I really look forward to." Ajax, like Hamburg, will enter the new UEFA Europa League next season though Jol's side will enter in the play-off round, one stage later than HSV.
