LONDON (AFP) - Jacques Santini's shock resignation as Spurs coach had nothing to do with any rumoured falling out with Tottenham's sporting director Frank Arnesen, the Dane insisted.
Santini took White Hart Lane and the Premiership by surprise Friday when announcing he was stepping down and heading back to France "for personal reasons" after barely four months in charge.
The relationship between Arnesen and Santini has since come under the microscope in press reports - with Arneson stressing there was no hidden agenda at the under-achieving London side.
Quizzed on BBC Radio 4's Today programme about the real reasons for Santini's decision, he said: "It is strictly private, and we accept that."
Responding in the same interview to suggestions that he and Santini have not got on as well as might have been hoped, he stated: "That is nonsense. It is not true.
"Jacques and I had long conversations before he came here. He was used to this environment, and I am too.
"There was no problem between Jacques and me.
"It is disappointing, because we started off in the summer with Jacques and me - and then it has lasted only four months."
Spurs, up against Charlton in the Premiership later Saturday, will be under the guidance of Santini's assistant Martin Jol - pending a further announcement on Monday.
Arnesen has not been drawn on Jol's prospects of becoming Spurs' permanent manager but did say: "In between now and Monday we will hold talks and then we will come up with our plans about the future of Tottenham.
"I am confident that we have started something here in July and I still have a lot of confidence in Tottenham and what we are doing.
"Martin Jol is very capable. He has been head coach at many different clubs, and I am very happy to have him."
Arnesen reiterated on Radio 5 Live the importance of respecting Santini's privacy - as well as scotching suggestions that the Frenchman has left with a big-money pay-off from Spurs.
"He has talked to me over the last couple of months and has absolutely said this matter is strictly for himself.
"He has never gone into exactly what it was. But I trust him in that; you have to accept it. I think we should respect it."
During his short time in charge former France coach Santini was initially praised for tightening a once notoriously leaky defence.
But so far this season Tottenham have scored just six league goals - the worst return in all four of England's professional divisions - has caused increasing concern among their fans especially as they have proven goalscorers Jermain Defoe, Frederic Kanoute and Robbie Keane in their squad.
11/06/2004 - 13:07 GMT - AFP