Fulham boss disappointed by Spurs switch for Liverpool-bound striker

Clint Dempsey pictured celebrating with manager Martin Jol last season. Photo credit: Yui Mok/PA wire

Friday, September 14, 2012
4:14 PM

Martin Jol is still frustrated by the manner of Clint Dempsey’s departure from Fulham.

The American striker signed for Tottenham on transfer deadline day despite pushing for a move to Liverpool.

Dempsey had been left out of the Dutchaman’s first few squads after making it clear he wanted to leave Craven Cottage for Merseyside but the manager revealed that the 11th hour Spurs switch came as quite a surprise.

“We were really disappointed,” said Jol.

“It always looked like he was going to Liverpool, everything was almost wasted, because five or six weeks ago, we thought he would join them, then Spurs came in on the last day.

“We had to make a decision, it was not probably what we wanted, but the club decided to let him go.

“Clint did not literally say ‘I will not play’. Everyone knows we wanted to keep him, but there was one player who wanted to leave.

“If you have a bit of imagination, you know he did not want to play here.”