Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has apologised to fans for the club's handling of Martin Jol's departure and admits it should have been dealt with better.

Jol was dismissed after Thursday's UEFA Cup defeat by Getafe at White Hart Lane but the news it was going to happen was leaked before the game and spread quickly as the match went on.

A number of versions of the sequence of events have been reported but Levy has attempted to put the record straight in an open letter to supporters.

"Several events clearly did not happen as we all would have wished and I am the first to admit that things could have been handled differently and better," wrote Levy on the club's official website, www.spurs.co.uk.

He added: "The first time Martin and I met to discuss his position was after the match, there were no discussions prior and there were none of the reported disagreements.

"We would not have, in any case, asked Martin to take charge of the match under those circumstances.

"Media speculation which preceded the game, inaccurately reporting Martin as having resigned, was in no way a deliberate measure by this club, in no way served our purposes and we have resented any suggestion that this was the case.

"Leaks (which are wholly unacceptable) and speculation accompanied the game and it is a sad and regrettable aspect that individuals get caught in their midst."

Levy has also tried to clarify the club's transfer policy following reports that Jol's involvement in the process was limited to informing the sporting director which positions he wanted to fill and making a recommendation.

Levy insisted Jol played a big part in decisions, as will his replacement Juande Ramos.

He said: "We have a football management group which meets on a regular basis — this is constituted by myself, Damien Comolli (sporting director), John Alexander (club secretary) and the head coach, now Juande Ramos.

"This group meets to discuss, identify and acquire players in targeted positions and to consider possible disposals.

"No player is brought into the club or sold who is not approved by the
coaching staff — it would be counter-productive to buy players that won't be played.

"It is a system that Juande has worked with for years, which allows him to specify his needs and to concentrate on coaching the team whilst Damien and his scouting network seek options."