Ramos appointed Tottenham manager

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October 28, 2007 09:27 IST

Spaniard Juande Ramos has been named manager of Premier League Tottenham Hotspur in place of the sacked Martin Jol.

The 53-year-old, who quit as Sevilla head coach on Friday, has signed a contract until the end of the 2010-11 season, Spurs said on their web site (www.spurs.co.uk) on Saturday.

"Juande's arrival is great news for Tottenham Hotspur. He brings with him a wealth of experience, a proven track record and a winning pedigree," said sporting director Damien Comolli.

Marcos Alvarez, a fitness trainer who worked with Ramos's coaching team at Sevilla, has also joined the staff at Spurs.

Tottenham said they had asked Leeds United for permission to speak to former Spurs player Gus Poyet and invite him to join the club to work with Ramos alongside Alvarez.

"I greatly appreciate the opportunity to work as head coach at Tottenham Hotspur, a club with a great tradition and history," Ramos was quoted as saying on the web site.

"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."

FIRST MATCH

Ramos and Alvarez will be in charge for the first time in Wednesday's League Cup fourth round tie at home to Blackpool and will be guests of Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy for Sunday's league game against visiting Blackburn Rovers.

North London-based Spurs sacked their Dutch manager Martin Jol on Thursday following a three-year reign at White Hart Lane.

After guiding the club to consecutive fifth-place finishes in his two full seasons in charge, Jol came under pressure this season after Tottenham lost their opening two matches.

Spurs officials were reported to have approached Ramos in August, leading to hasty denials and a public declaration of support for Jol by Levy.

However, results failed to improve and a 3-1 league defeat at Newcastle United on Monday left Tottenham third from bottom with just one win from their opening 10 games.

Ramos has been Sevilla's most successful manager, lifting back-to-back UEFA Cups, the European Super Cup, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup, as well as guiding the club into the Champions League for the first time in its history.

His first job will be to get Spurs up the table and try to make something out of a season that has so far been hugely disappointing.

"I genuinely believe that there is the potential to achieve great things together," said Ramos.

"I was hugely impressed with the Spurs fans both home and away when Sevilla played Spurs last season and it will be a privilege to be the coach of this club with the huge support it enjoys both at White Hart Lane and throughout the world."

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