Martin Jol Reveals the Reasons He Rejected Manchester United's Advances

Fulham manager Martin Jol has insisted he has no regrets over turning down a role at Manchester United as he does not believe it would have furthered his career.

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed in his new autobiography that he approached Jol back in 2003 when he was seeking a replacement for Carlos Queiroz who was leaving to join Real Madrid.

The 57 year old was managing Dutch side RKC Waalwijk at the time he was approached and decided against taking the job as he simply did not want to work as an assistant.

"I never wanted to (take the job)," said Jol, as quoted in the Express. "I don't think I am someone who can work as an assistant.

"If you look at the coaches who were with him - it was not easy for them to (become a number one). Queiroz was probably the exception to the rule.

"The rest stayed as an assistant. Rene Meulensteen is still struggling to be a number one somewhere now."

Soon after Jol rejected the advances of Manchester United he was handed the job at Tottenham Hotspur and has since carved out a successful career as a manager.

He spent two years in Germany managing Hamburg before returning to his homeland and leading Ajax to success in the KNVB Cup.

Now at Fulham he has come under pressure in the early stages of the season but led the side to a morale boasting 4-1 win over Crystal Palace last Monday that eventually led to Eagles boss Ian Holloway stepping down from the London club.