Premier League

Odds Stacked Against Ramos

By Victor Tay ⋅ October 28, 2007 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Juande Ramos is the hottest topic in the Spanish Primera Liga in the last few seasons. Rightly so, as he is the man that transformed Sevilla into a footballing force to be reckoned with in La Liga and Europe.

While in the past the city of Seville is better known as the capital of Andalucía and its flamenco, but of course, this is no longer so after Ramos led the unfancied club to back-to-back UEFA Cup triumphs.

His other achievements at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan include the European Super Cup, a Copa del Rey and a Spanish Super Cup, which was attained by defeating Real Madrid. The impressive brand of football that they dished out against the Spanish champions is pleasing to the eyes to say the least but this has been the trademark of Sevilla under the tutelage of Ramos.

So it came as no surprise that Tottenham Hotspur were thought to have made a ‘dizzy’ offer to prise Ramos at the start of the 2007/08 campaign when there were rumours that the Spurs board planned to get rid of Martin Jol.

While it didn’t happen a few months ago, after the UEFA Cup defeat against Getafe last week, Jol’s fate was sealed and the ‘Chosen One’ was finally installed.

‘I greatly appreciate the opportunity to work as head coach at Tottenham Hotspur, a club with a great tradition and history,’ said Ramos after becoming the new gaffer of the Lilywhites.

Talking about tradition, the first that he needs to abide to is to play an attractive style of football, which the Spurs faithful greatly appreciate. Not just winning but winning in style is something like a mantra at White Hart Lane.

As far as that is concerned though, the Spurs fans should have no worries for it was a swashbuckling display by Sevilla that prevented them from making last season’s UEFA Cup final.

“The not-so-subtle message to Ramos is this – better the achievement of Jol”

So that should make the transition from Jol, a huge favourite among the Spurs fans, to Ramos easier to stomach. This appointment seems just right as Ramos added: ‘Ever since I started my coaching career I have wanted to work in England. It is my sincere hope that I can repay the faith the Spurs board has shown in me.’

Talking about repaying faith, Ramos will need to stamp his authority on the squad, which has so far failed to lead Spurs out of the bottom three after 11 Barclays Premier League matches, that he has inherited recently.

Ramos got his first glimpse of his squad during their latest 2-1 home defeat against Blackburn Rovers. Ramos should be encouraged by the attacking flair shown by his new players but after seeing Mark Hughes’ side scored a last minute goal to take all three points at the Lane, Ramos knows that he will need to do what Jol failed to do – stopping goals.

The good news for Ramos is that he will have an easy introduction to English football. Starting with Blackpool in the Carling Cup in midweek, his first Premier League game is away to Middlesbrough, a team not having the best of times lately as well.

His education continues with games against Wigan Athletic and West Ham United in November. Meanwhile, in the UEFA Cup, where he has so much success, Spurs have games against Hapoel Tel-Aviv and Danish side AaB to contend with.

The first real big test for Ramos is on the 22^nd December when Spurs take on their North London rivals Arsenal, a team that Ramos will not be too unfamiliar with as the Gunners beat Sevilla 3-0 in the Champions League earlier in the season.

Despite seemingly having an easy start on paper, the experienced Ramos knows that he will need his new players to deliver on a consistent basis from day one as his task is a daunting one.

Spurs sporting director Damien Comolli sums it up best: ‘By making the appointment at this stage of the season, with our current, talented group of players, we have given ourselves the opportunity to compete well in all four competitions.’

And most importantly to the Spurs board is to see the club break into the top four. After finishing fifth successively in the last two seasons, the board of directors is now eager to finish among the top four and with that qualification for Champions League football.

Incidentally, that was what Ramos achieved with Sevilla last season and they are hoping to see him replicate that achievement at White Hart Lane. So the not-so-subtle message to Ramos is this – better the achievement of Jol.

With his astonishing record of late, who knows, the Spurs board might just expect Ramos to deliver instant results. And as Ramos has just witnessed against Blackburn, a side not expected to challenge for the top four, the Premier League is ever so competitive. So to succeed in his maiden season is going to be anything but easy despite his impressive resume.

Will Ramos provide Tottenham with instant success? Share your views by leaving a comment below.

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