SOCCER: News Martin Jol was yesterday named as Tottenham's new head coach and immediately pledged to follow in the footsteps of Bill Nicholson and guide the club back to the "Glory, Glory" days.

The Dutchman was unveiled at the club's a.g.m. yesterday and gave a rousing, breast-beating speech to shareholders still reeling from Jacques Santini's decision to stand down on Friday, just 13 games into the new season.

Jol had his emotions stirred by the memorial service for Nicholson, who guided Tottenham to their first league and cup double and unprecedented success in Europe.

He has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal to become Tottenham's ninth full-time head coach or manager in just 13 years, but he will not shy away from the challenge of restoring the club's reputation.

"All the players and I were at the memorial service for Bill Nicholson and we could not help but be inspired by the values and standards he set and which we must try to regain," he said.

"I saw Jimmy Greaves walking with Cliff Jones. I had a feeling in my stomach and I knew I had identified myself with this club."

Tottenham moved quickly to appoint Santini's successor after he quit to ensure there was no repeat of last year's saga, when Glenn Hoddle left and David Pleat took charge in a caretaker capacity.

The board yesterday unanimously supported the immediate appointment of Jol on the recommendation of sporting director Frank Arnesen, who brought the 48-year-old to the club during the summer.

Republic of Ireland coach Chris Hughton will step up to work as Jol's assistant, though Dominic Cuperly, who was brought to the club by Santini, is yet to decide whether he will stay on.

Jol will be in charge solely of team selection and motivation of the Tottenham first team, with Arnesen responsible for overseeing all other matters, including player purchases.

Both men are quite comfortable working in a continental-style management structure, though Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy had to defend the system to sceptical supporters.

It has never been used to this degree in English soccer before but after a decade of upheaval, Levy wanted a "root and branch" restructuring of the management to avoid a continued "period of mediocrity".

Jol, the former West Brom and Coventry midfielder, originally joined as Santini's first assistant despite establishing himself as one of Holland's most respected head coaches.

Jol guided Roda JC to their first trophy in 30 years before moving to RKC Waalwijk, whom he transformed from relegation contenders in 1999 to challengers for European qualification.

He won Dutch coach of the year awards in both 2000 and 2001 and then spurned managerial positions in Holland to join Tottenham during the summer as Santini's assistant.

But he always retained ambitions to take charge of a Premiership team and has a long affinity with Tottenham, dating back to when he was an 11-year-old football fan.

"I have a good reputation in Holland and I hope you will know that in the future. Only one thing is important and that is Tottenham Hotspur football club will be the biggest club," he said.

"I could have gone to other clubs but Frank asked me and after 30 seconds I said I would (join Tottenham).

"David Ginola came here, Ossie Ardiles came here, Glenn Hoddle was here. I know about the history of Tottenham Hotspur. The spirit in this club is the most important thing.

"When I was a little kid, Tottenham was the biggest club in England. I have never forgotten that. I have experienced in the last few months it is a great club as well."

Meanwhile, the Football Association last night moved to quell the increasing animosity between Arsenal and Manchester United by instigating disciplinary action against Arsene Wenger and then announcing plans to call a summit meeting between the two clubs.

Wenger faces a fine or reprimand after being charged with improper conduct for alleging Ruud van Nistelrooy "can only cheat people".

However, the FA will not take action over the tunnel rumpus that followed United's 2-0 victory, when Arsenal players hurled soup and pizza at Alex Ferguson.

Similarly, Ferguson has failed with his unconcealed attempt to pressure the FA into taking action against Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp for alleged off-the-ball incidents.

Geoff Thompson, the FA chairman, opted against widespread charges despite studying a letter from Old Trafford detailing their full list of grievances.

Instead, Thompson has written to David Gill, United's chief executive, and David Dein, Arsenal's vice-chairman, requesting a meeting to emphasise the standards that are expected from England's two biggest clubs.

Ferguson and Wenger will not be required to attend, but Gill and Dein will be expected to report back and, in turn, the managers will be told to address their players.