Spurs have issued a statement revealing the board asked Jol and assistant Chris Hughton to stand down, although there were reports earlier in the evening that the Dutchman had resigned.

Chairman Daniel Levy said: "For me, Martin and Chris's departure is regrettable.

"Our greatest wish was to see results turn in our favour and for there to be no need for change."

A statement from the club read: "We can confirm that the board has this evening asked Martin Jol, club manager and Chris Hughton, first-team coach to stand down from their positions with immediate effect."

Jol added: "I can understand the position of the club in light of the results. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Tottenham Hotspur is a special club and I want to thank the terrific staff and players.

"For me the fans were always amazing with their support so I would also like to say thank you - I shall never forget them."

Development coach Clive Allen and youth team boss Alex Inglethorpe will take charge of the first team for the time being, with Juande Ramos the overwhelming favourite to take over in the long term. Gus Poyet, the former Spurs midfielder, has been linked with an assistant-boss role.

Jol leaves a legacy of success at White Hart Lane after consecutive top-five finishes in his only full seasons at White Hart Lane. But for a mystery virus they would have pipped Arsenal to fourth place two seasons ago.

He appeared to be on borrowed time since the infamous meeting with Ramos in the first week of the campaign and reports

Former Spurs boss David Pleat has described the meeting with club officials and Ramos as "a tragic day".

News had filtered through to fans during the defeat to Getafe tonight and they sang "stand up for Martin Jol" and also chanted in protest against chairman Levy, with the integrity of the club questioned since the meeting in Sevilla.

"It was a tragic day for Tottenham," said Pleat on ITV4.

Defeat at Newcastle on Monday kept Spurs in the bottom three and Jol did not speak to Levy in the days after the 3-1 reverse.

After investing more than $75million on players, Spurs were meant to be competing for a place in the top four this season following predictions of Arsenal's demise after selling Thierry Henry.

Levy's goals are to be in the Champions League and playing in front of a crowd of more than 50,000, and he has also targeted improving Spurs' training facilities.

After the meeting with Ramos was pictured, Levy met with Jol where they discussed the club's aims for the season.

Spurs have not won a match in the league since and have been guilty of defensive lapses which have been clinically punished.

It was the same against Getafe. They took the lead through Jermain Defoe but the Spaniards equalised immediately when Esteban Granero's free-kick from around the 40-yard mark bounced in, with Ruben de la Red claiming the slightest of touches.

Braulio Nobrega back-heeled the winner with 20 minutes remaining, by which time news had filtered to the fans and they sang their appreciation for Jol and protested against Levy.

Former Spurs boss Pleat sensed something was different, adding: "He never got in the technical area and was not cajoling his players.

"He probably wanted to out in glory but it didn't happen. They were all at sea, it was frenetic and not calm."

Jol was statistically Tottenham's most successful manager of recent times and brought two top-five finishes during his three years at the club after taking over from Jacques Santini.

It led to him being linked with the Newcastle job before Sam Allardyce took over and there has been a consistent suggestion he would take a job with Ajax.

"Given what he did last season I don't think he will have a problem finding a new job," said Getafe boss Michael Laudrup.

Pleat agreed, adding: "He's done well here and he's added to his reputation and will get a job here or in Holland.

"His experience here will have whetted his appetite for bigger things."