Fulham appoints Martin Jol as new manager

LONDON (Reuters) -- Fulham have appointed Martin Jol as manager to replace Mark Hughes, who left last week, the English Premier League club said on their website (www.fulhamfc.com) on Tuesday.

The Dutchman, who managed Tottenham Hotspur between 2004 and 2007 and who stepped down as boss of Ajax Amsterdam six months ago, has signed an initial two-year contract with Fulham with the club having an option to extend for a further year.

"I am very happy to join Fulham, a wonderful traditional club," Jol said in a statement on the website.

"It is a club with good, solid foundations and a great fan base. I am looking forward to being part of the Fulham family and thank the chairman for the trust he's shown in me."

Fulham finished eighth under Hughes, who walked away from the club last week amid media speculation linking him with the vacant manager's post at Aston Villa.

However, the west London club qualified for the Europa League via the Fairplay table.