Tottenham have confirmed Martin Jol as their new coach, to replace Jacques Santini who resigned on Friday.

Jol, who left RKC Waalwijk in the summer to be Santini’s assistant, has agreed a contract up to summer 2007.

“Tottenham is a big club and I feel very privileged to be its coach,” he said.

“It is still early in the season, I know the players and they know me and I feel strongly that there is a lot we can achieve together.

“Yesterday all the players and I were at the Memorial Service for Bill Nicholson and we could not help but be inspired by the values and standards that he set and which we must try to regain.”

Jol will work with Spurs sporting director Frank Arnesen.

“The new management structure we set up in July has provided us with the continuity that is crucial at such times as this,” said chairman Daniel Levy.

“That was one of the main reasons we adopted this approach.

“What is important now is that we, as a club, pick ourselves up and show our determination to get the best results this season.”

Arnesen added: “Martin is a highly-experienced coach and I am delighted that he has accepted what to me is one of the most prestigious positions in the Premiership.

“He has a reputation for creating well-organised teams capable of playing attractive football.

“He is very technically minded with a good knowledge of both English and European football, in addition to first class man-management skills.

“We started something here at Tottenham in July and I am confident that we can continue to build on that start and that Martin can shape and motivate the team to achieve what we know they are capable of.

“I know Martin is ambitious for this club.”

In a statement to the Stock Exchange, Levy added: “When player purchases are determined solely by the manager and that individual leaves, this can often result in wholesale changes to the squad when the new manager arrives.

“With our structure, our sporting director, Frank Arnesen, is accountable for the quality of the squad and as such the current squad, with the many new faces that were brought in during the summer, can enjoy greater stability.”