Jol annoyed by City speculation

Hamburg coach Martin Jol has dismissed rumours he is a candidate to become the next manager of Manchester City by praising his current employers.

Although the Dutchman could expect to earn a substantial pay rise with the Premier League club, he has stressed the importance of tradition over money.

"We are a fantastic club with great fans, a great environment which not many clubs in Europe can boast," he said.

"I am very happy here and the conditions to work in are excellent.

"HSV is a club with an excellent tradition and there are only three or four clubs like that in England."

City are probably not one of the clubs Jol was referring to, which is why the constant speculation linking him with a move to Eastlands is becoming annoying.

"These things really bother me," he told the Bild newspaper. "I am not thinking about it in the slightest.

"I could imagine working here for a lot longer."

Jol takes his Hamburg side to Manchester on Thursday for the second leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final tie with a 3-1 lead from the first game.