Bobby Zamora today claimed the “vast majority” of Fulham’s squad dislike Martin Jol and believes his management style is driving top players away from Craven Cottage.
The 31-year-old left the club in January to join Queens Park Rangers in a £5million deal after a clash with Jol at the training ground is thought to have opened a rift between the pair.
Zamora was used sparingly by Jol, who reportedly made him train with the reserves at one point last December, forcing the striker to seek regular first-team action elsewhere in order to keep his dream of playing at Euro 2012 alive.
Clint Dempsey went on strike after being denied the chance to leave before Fulham relented on deadline day and allowed him to join Tottenham, where Mousa Dembele also moved after indicating a desire to leave if a top club met his £15m release clause.
Asked by Standard Sport whether he felt the trend of high-profile departures was because of an issue in the squad, Zamora replied: “Yes. I left because I didn’t see eye to eye with Martin Jol. I think that is the case with the vast majority of players there now. A lot of the lads aren’t happy. But that’s that. There were a few bits and pieces but we just didn’t see eye to eye.”
Fulham refused to comment but Giorgos Karagounis praised Jol in an interview with Standard Sport today. The midfielder, who joined the club last month, said: “He is a very experienced coach, who wants to play football the right way.”
