Ajax stay tight-lipped over Jol

Ajax have refused to confirm whether or not the Tottenham Hotspur head coach Martin Jol is on the shortlist to become their new manager.

Ajax have refused to confirm whether or not the Tottenham Hotspur head coach Martin Jol is on the shortlist to become their new manager.

Jol, who has coached in his native country with RKC Waalwijk, has guided Spurs into the top eight of the Premiership, and an Ajax spokesman said: "The coach must fit our profile - a coach who understands the Dutch league and offensive and distinctive football. We need to find a solution soon, so someone is in place for next season."

Ronald Koeman resigned as the Ajax coach last week after their elimination from the Uefa Cup. Jol has been linked with the vacant post at Ajax, with reports saying he has fallen out with the sporting director at Spurs, Frank Arnesen.

The Liverpool striker Milan Baros denied he threatened to walk out of the team hotel after learning he was only a substitute for the Carling Cup final last Sunday and has stressed he is not considering leaving the club. Reports had suggested the Czech Republic forward was unhappy at being overlooked for selection by the manager Rafael Benitez in favour of Harry Kewell.

"I was disappointed on Sunday because I play football so I can take part in great matches like this," Baros said. "But I didn't argue with anybody. That is nonsense and it is a complete fabrication that I wanted to leave the Millennium Stadium.

Benitez is facing new injury problems as he tries to lift Liverpool's spirit following their Carling Cup final defeat. The Spanish full-back Josemi will be out for a further fortnight after suffering a new knock to his right knee. Josemi has not played first-team football since mid-December due to a knee injury. He was forced to limp off during a reserve match against Manchester United at Wrexham on Tuesday.

Djimi Traoré is suffering with a thigh strain while Jerzy Dudek had 10 stitches in a gashed shin after Sunday's match. Kewell suffered an ankle injury against Chelsea and did not look fully fit following his comeback from Achilles and groin problems the previous week. The striker Neil Mellor is out for the rest of the season following an operation on both knees for tendinitis.