( CNN ) -- Former Ajax and Tottenham manager Martin Jol has taken over as coach at English Premier League club Fulham . The London-based club , who reached the final of UEFA 's Europa League in 2009 under Roy Hodgson , moved quickly to replace Mark Hughes , who left the club earlier this month . Jol was approached to take charge when Hodgson left for Liverpool , but opted to stay with Dutch giants Ajax . He has signed a two-year contract with an option to extend by another year . He told the club 's official web site : `` I am very happy to join Fulham , a wonderful traditional club . It is a club with good , solid foundations and a great fan base . `` I could have gone to other countries but I was waiting for the opportunity to come back to England . '' Fulham qualified for next season 's Europa League thanks to their standing in UEFA 's Fair Play table , and start their qualifying campaign for the tournament on June 30 . Despite coming so soon after the end of the 2010-11 season Jol , who also had a spell with German club Hamburg , insists he is pleased to be in the competition . `` It would be ridiculous to say that I 'm not happy with being in the Europa League , '' he added . `` I think Fulham were the first and only club who had a lucrative income from the Europa League . `` Any other team , say in Germany for example , would say that you do n't earn a lot of money from the Europa League because only the Champions League is profitable . `` Let 's not forget though that can hinder you in the season , the last time Fulham were in the Europa League they were 12th in the table , but it is my hope that we can build a squad that is strong enough to compete in all of these competitions . '' The club 's chairman , Mohamed Al Fayed , said he was delighted to appoint Jol , the man who led Tottenham to fifth place in the 2005-06 season . `` He understands my vision for the club , and believes in what we are striving to achieve here , '' he said . `` I know that he will dedicate himself to helping us move forward , and is with us for the long term , to help us build and progress . '' Meanwhile , Portuguese club Benfica have issued a statement denying that Spanish giants Real Madrid have agreed a deal to sign Fabio Coentrao . The defender has a release clause of $ 44 million and Spanish media reported Tuesday that Coentrao would be joining this week . But Benfica released a statement on their web site that read : `` Fabio Coentrao is a Benfica player . Unlike the news that came out in the media , fueled , as always , by 'sources ' with no name and no face , there is no kind of agreement with Real Madrid . `` The player 's release clause is €30 million ( $ 44m ) and the potential interested parties know that . ''
Martin Jol appointed coach of English Premier League club Fulham . Dutchman signs a two-year deal with London-based club . Jol has formerly managed Tottenham , Ajax and Hamburg . Benfica deny Fabio Coentrao is close to joining Spanish giants Real Madrid .