Fulham names Martin Jol as manager

London: Martin Jol is returning to the English Premier League as Fulham manager, four years after an acrimonious exit from London rival Tottenham.

The 55-year-old Dutchman has agreed to an initial two-year contract with Fulham, with the option for a further year's extension, the club said on its website.

Jol is replacing Mark Hughes, who resigned last week after just one season in charge at Craven Cottage.

"I am very happy to join Fulham Football Club, a wonderful traditional club," Jol said. "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."

A former player with clubs including Bayern Munich, West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City, Jol coached Dutch teams Roda JC Kerkrade and RKC Waalwijk before moving to Tottenham.

Since being ditched by Tottenham in 2007 despite successive fifth-place finishes, Jol has coached Hamburg and Ajax.

Jol quit Ajax in December, having led the Dutch club to second in the league and a place in the Champions League.