Klinsmann in line if Jol fails to take Spurs up the table

Tottenham's under-pressure manager Martin Jol faces a crucial six-match spell that could decide his future at the club, even after his side's 4-0 demolition of Premier League newcomers Derby County yesterday.

And the man the Tottenham board will turn to should the Dutchman fail to deliver a rapid improvement in the club's fortunes is former Spurs favourite and Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

Scroll down to read more:

The expected victory over Derby, a result demanded by chairman Daniel Levy after talks with the Spurs boss this week, may provide only a temporary reprieve for Jol.

The club now face a six-match Premier League schedule which features games against three of last season's top-four clubs, starting with a visit to Manchester United on Sunday, followed by a derby clash with Arsenal and ending with a visit to Liverpool.

Spurs also face Fulham, Bolton and Aston Villa.

Although there is still plenty of boardroom support for Jol, there is also an awareness that an approach for Klinsmann would be very popular with White Hart Lane fans, who still hero-worship him following two spells at the club in the Nineties.

Now living in California, the 43-year-old former Germany striker was a surprise choice to manage the national team during last summer's World Cup.

Despite a lack of managerial experience, he showed himself fully capable of handling the role, steering them to third place.

His decision to return to America after the tournament was a great disappointment to Germany fans and since then he has refused many offers to return to management, both at club and international level — the most notable being the chance to take over at Chelsea.

A Stamford Bridge delegation, headed by chief executive Peter Kenyon, flew to Los Angeles for talks with Klinsmann when it seemed that Jose Mourinho's future at the club was in some doubt.

The discussions came to nothing but that situation was resolved when peace broke out between Mourinho and club owner Roman Abramovich.

Now Klinsmann is thought to be ready to respond to the right opportunity and his past links with Spurs could persuade him to end his European exile should the situation at White Hart Lane warrant it.