Spurs manager ‘sacked at half-time’ of game but loved it for incredible reason

Ange Postecoglou could meet the same fate as Martin Jol on Thursday night.

The Tottenham boss is at risk of losing his job if his side are knocked out of the Europa League by Eintracht Frankfurt.

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Postecoglou could be sacked immediately after the match in a repeat of Jol’s Spurs exit.

The Dutchman was dismissed following a 2-1 defeat to Getafe back in October 2007, with Juande Ramos replacing him just two days later.

However, reports at the time and player accounts of the match claim Jol was let go at half-time.

Jermaine Jenas had been signed for Spurs by Jol but was not involved against Getafe.

He recalled in 2015: “I remember speaking to him before the game because I was carrying an injury and his face was just blank, as if he was looking right through me. In the weeks leading up to that, you could tell something had changed within him.

“It was leaked in the papers that Spurs were speaking to Juande Ramos. We’d seen it, he had obviously seen it, so it was impossible to ignore. As players, we were trying to concentrate on doing our jobs – and we all liked Martin – but there’s no doubt it was distracting.”

Meanwhile, Darren Bent told talkSPORT in 2023: “Yeah at half-time, during the game when I was at Tottenham. I can’t remember what game it was. Martin Jol got sacked during the game.

“He was standing on the touchline, he’s got a face on him. We come in at half-time, there is all this commotion so I said to Ledley [King], ‘Oi, Ledders, what is happening?’

“He said to me, ‘Ah the gaffer has been sacked’. Do you know what is mad, now I think about it? His team talk before the match was really subdued. He just said, ‘Get out and play lads’.”

However, Jol has denied the suggestion he was sacked during the match and instead found out from his nephew at full-time.

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Speaking days after his departure, he explained: “The first I knew was when I saw my nephew in the tunnel immediately after the game and he pulled me to one side and told me what everyone else seemed to know already.

“So it is rubbish to say that I heard it before the game.”

Reports that Jol would be leaving had filtered through to supporters during the match, with fans chanting his name throughout.

The atmosphere at White Hart Lane left a lasting impression on their outgoing manager.

Jol added: “I went into the dressing room to tell the players and say farewell to them – and they all stood up and applauded me.

“It was a strange night because it was my final game in charge but it was also a special night. I had a great connection with the Tottenham fans and that will always be there.

“The fans were unbelievable the way they were chanting my name throughout the game, and I am a little embarrassed because they knew before me that I was gone.”

Despite the nature of his exit, Jol later said he had no ‘hard feelings’ or ‘unfinished business’ despite feeling ‘bruised’ by the experience.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy also admitted his regrets over how the decision was handled.

In an open letter to fans at the time, Levy said: “Several events clearly did not happen as we all would have wished and I am the first to admit that things could have been handled differently and better.”

Jol had guided Spurs to a pair of fifth-place finishes in each of his full seasons in charge in north London.

His achievements at the club were recognised by then Getafe boss Michael Laudrup following the result.

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He backed Jol, stating: “Given what he did last season I don’t think he will have a problem finding a new job.”

Following his Spurs exit, he joined German side Hamburg at the end of the campaign.

Jol later had spells in charge of Ajax, Fulham and Egyptian giants Al Ahly but has been away from the dugout since 2016.

Postecoglou will be hoping he can avoid being let go this week with two years still remaining on his Spurs deal.

The Europa League remains his side’s only route into Europe next season and their last hope of a trophy this term.

Following 21 defeats across all competitions, Spurs are also 15th in the Premier League with six matches remaining.

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Sunday’s loss to Wolves leaves them just two points above 17th-placed West Ham.

The tie against Frankfurt is level at 1-1 following the first leg, with the winner facing either Bodo/Glimt or Lazio in the semi-finals.