Martin Jol quits Ajax amid Newcastle speculation

Martin Jol has stepped down as manager of Ajax and is now in the running for the vacant Newcastle job.

Jol has had a torrid time with the Dutch side this season and decided to walk out of the club after a 1-1 draw with NEC Nijmegen on Saturday.

The former Tottenham boss has been strongly linked to take over the reins at Newcastle after Chris Hughton was sacked.

Jol, 54, managed Spurs from 2004 until 2007 before he was replaced by Spaniard Juande Ramos.

"With pain in my heart I say goodbye to this wonderful club," said Jol.

"We started something last summer that I would have finished but I have come to realise that the expectations after last season were too high."