The Dutchman appeared relaxed at Spurs Lodge despite the infamous meeting between club officials and Sevilla boss Juande Ramos, with Jol making light of the events that sparked a turbulent seven days.

Chairman Daniel Levy held talks with Jol on Tuesday and issued a statement giving him his "100%" backing, although confidence in his own ability is not something the Spurs boss is lacking after consecutive fifth-placed finishes in the Premier League.

It may be the most difficult week of his managerial career but Jol claimed the consequences of finishing outside the Champions League places are hypothetical.

"The only thing that is not hypothetical is the two fifth-placed finishes we had," he said. "That is what they wanted.

"If I said to the chairman 'I'll give you two top-fives in two years', he would have laughed at me. We did that.

"Five quarter-finals in the cups is a great achievement but now I realise - that is why this is a very good club, the ambition is higher. I get told I have to win a cup (by the media). Tell other managers they have to win a cup!"

Spurs and Jol insist the relationship between manager and board is strong following their summit, although the club have been criticised for poor timing, with managers contacting the Dutchman to offer sympathy.

Jol, however, is determined to finish the job he started nearly three years ago.

"If we do well, everything will be forgotten," he said.

"I could walk out and go to a Champions League club but I want to stay here because I believe in those boys, and as long as they believe in me there is no issue.

"I can work anywhere in the world but this is my mission. This is what I love."

Jol pointed to the progress made since succeeding Jacques Santini in 2004, but admits there is now pressure on his to deliver, such is the expectations at White Hart Lane. The next test is on Sunday against champions Manchester United at Old Trafford.

"If you know where we came from when I started, we were no different to Fulham or like Newcastle," Jol added.

"There were a lot of teams in the same position and we were in the top five twice.

"Before, there were big expectations but everyone knew at the end of the road it would be the same - now it is different because everyone wants to do really well. It's a big compliment."

Jol admitted there have been arguments over players brought in to the club, hinting at his relationship with sporting director Damien Comolli which he describes as "professional".

But Jol was relaxed enough to make a joke about the meeting with Ramos at the Alfonso XIII hotel.

He quipped: "When I saw the pictures, I thought they went for the technical director of Sevilla (Ramon 'Monchi' Rodriguez) because he is the best. I was worried for him (Comolli)!"

Spurs have always denied negotiating with Ramos, although the Sevilla coach did speak of an "offer" during a press conference this week.

Jol added: "If I saw pictures of my missus in Spain, I would be gutted. But I realised she would come back because she speaks French, Dutch and English but no Spanish - so she can't talk to the bugger! She's come back to me."

Jol insists there are no lingering problems from the fall-out over the meeting.

"It's a big gamble to go for someone else at this time because I felt I gave them a lot of continuity and stability, and he (Levy) feels that as well," said Jol.

"As long as my players are developing, as long as the people watching them are happy, there is no problems for me."

Meanwhile, Jol has revealed he has turned down an approached for Dimitar Berbatov, who has been reportedly subject to interest from Sunday's opponents United.

"Berbatov loves me," Jol said. "If he is playing well he gets all the praise and if he is not doing well I have to tell him.

"I had one approach and I said 'I'd rather die than sell him'."