Club Announcement 10/29/07

Courtesy of Official Site-

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Gus Poyet to our coaching staff.
The 39-year-old will join the Club as one of two first-team coaches alongside Marcos Alvarez, working under Head Coach Juande Ramos. Poyet enjoyed three seasons as a player at White Hart Lane, after winning major honours with former clubs Chelsea and Real Zaragoza. Following the conclusion of his playing career the former Uruguay international became Assistant Manager at Swindon Town and, more recently, Leeds United.

Linked here: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/clubannouncement291007.html

Match Report 10/28/07

Courtesy of Official Site-

Robbie Keane made it 23 goals in his last 30 games but the spoils went to
Blackburn Rovers at White Hart Lane on Sunday afternoon.
Keane's second half
penalty put us in pole position to secure a first Premier League win since
August, but a deflected strike from Benni McCarthy and a late one from
Christopher Samba dashed such hopes.Before we were ready to usher in a new era
at the Club there was the matter of a contest to deal with against in-form
Blackburn under the leadership of Clive Allen and Alex Inglethorpe. The Lane was
packed to the rafters - the Spurs areas, at least - as very-soon-to-be Head
Coach Juande Ramos stepped out into the Directors' Box to soak up the atmosphere
in his new environment. He will get to work on Monday morning, there were three
points to be fought for before that time. Clive did not make too many
alterations, Michael Dawson returned in place of the injured Anthony Gardner,
while Robbie Keane was back in the fold instead of Jermain Defoe. First up
though, Dawson did the honours when it came to receiving our cheque for winning
last season's Fair Play League, while the team warmed up for the game sporting
Kick it Out T-shirts bearing the message 'One Game, One Community' in support of
the week of action. There was a lively enough beginning to the encounter without
too much being carved out in the way of chances. Dimitar Berbatov took a little
too long when presented with a shooting chance from the edge of the area, with
David Bentley a bit wide with his angled effort at the Park Lane end. Just
before the 20 minute mark a Tom Huddlestone free-kick presented itself to Dawson
around eight yards out, the defender not letting it bounce, but not making a
decent enough connection to trouble Brad Friedel. Berbatov the Steed MNalbranque
then combined to set a darting Aaron Lennon through on goal and it took an
advancing Friedel to deny him a first of the season. Friedel was exercised again
when the flight of a deep ball from Lee Young-Pyo caught the visiting defenders
out and a Keane header forced the goalkeeper into tipping over the bar. Rovers
were in retreat for a good spell leading up to the half-hour mark, Berbatov shot
into the side netting, Robbie Savage went off injured and no further clear cut
openings were carved out before the break. The picture changed almost straight
after the interval when Keane sent Lennon scurrying into the area where he was
chopped down by Stephen Warnock. Referee Mr Styles pointed to the spot and Keane
struck his kick high past Friedel on 47 minutes. Friedel did brilliantly in
stopping the advantage being doubled when he shovelled away a Lee blast at his
near post after the full-back had been slotted through by Berbatov. The plot
took a twist just before the hour when Bentley picked out Benni McCarthy just
outside the area and the South African turned and dispatched a shot that flew up
off the lunging Dawson and looped into the top corner and in off the inside of
the crossbar. Cruel. Berbatov should have regained the lead with a header in
front of goal from Keane's cross, but did not generate enough power or direction
and Friedel was able to save. Lennon was thrilling yet frustrating with his
final ball as the team wrestled the initiative back from Blackburn after the
leveller. Keane was just beaten to the punch by Friedel when played in by
Huddlestone before change was made with Darren Bent replacing Malbranque. The
next incident was a horrible challenge by Morten Gamst Pederson on Dawson as the
defender was attempting to apply a thumping clearance.There were a few nerves
around the ground as both teams were cautiously seeking the win as we entered
the final moments, strikers were coming on, but neither side was going to gamble
on too big a number ahead of the ball.The bolt from the blue came in stoppage
time when the ball was not cleared efficiently and Samba struck a curling effort
from the edge of the area beyond Radek Cerny to silence the Lane.

Linked here: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/matchreport281007.html

'Rover and Out'

Courtesy of Official Site-

Clive Allen felt the nature of Blackburn's equaliser followed by more late agony
summed up how things are going for us at the moment.
Robbie Keane handed us
the lead three minutes into the second half only for Rovers to level on the hour
when Benni McCarthy's shot deflected off Michael Dawson, looped over Radek Cerny
and in off the post.
With Brad Friedel making saves at key times, it was left
to Christopher Samba to provide another late dagger to all Spurs' hearts with a
curling finish after Morten Gamst Pedersen won a header from Brett Emerton's
free-kick and Roque Santa Cruz rolled it back for Samba to strike.
It
was the fourth time we've been hit late after Sunderland, Fulham and
Liverpool.
"The effort and performance we put in deserved more than
we got," reflected caretaker boss Clive, who overlooked this game and saw
Friedel deny Aaron Lennon, Dimitar Berbatov and Young-Pyo Lee.
"The
unfortunate thing is that when we took the lead, we lost our way a
bit.
"Blackburn made their changes and their equaliser was very
fortunate, but it sums up how things are going for us at the moment. The shot
was going straight at Radek, got deflected and went in off the post.
"We then
conceded a late goal and that's been a problem for us."
For Clive, defeat
overshadowed much of the personal pride at taking charge of the first team. "It
was a fantastic experience for me, a dream come true, but we didn't get the
result and that's what mattered. I love winning and I'm a terrible loser."

Linked here: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/roverandout281007.html

Juande Ramos appointed as Head Coach

Courtesy of Official Site-

The Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Juande Ramos as Head Coach.
The contract period runs until the end of the 2010/11 season.
The 53-year-old
joins us from Spanish side Sevilla, where he has been the club's most successful
manager, lifting back-to-back UEFA Cups, a European Super Cup, a Copa del Rey
and a Spanish Super Cup, as well as guiding the Club into the Champions League
for the first time in its history. Sporting Director Damien Comolli said:
“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. Now is the
time for us to regroup and look to deliver the results and performances that
everyone associated with the Club wants to see. “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.
"Juande is a highly respected coach and his agreement to join us is excellent
news. I know he is eager to get started.” Commenting on his appointment, Juande
Ramos said: "I greatly appreciate the opportunity to work as Head Coach at
Tottenham Hotspur, a club with a great tradition and history. 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. "I am looking
forward to meeting the players; it is a squad any coach would be excited to work
with . I genuinely believe that there is the potential to achieve great things
together. "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."Marcos Alvarez also joins the Club's coaching staff. Alvarez worked
with Ramos's coaching team at Sevilla. The 36-year-old's association with the
Andalusia club began in the 2005/06 season, having previously held coaching
roles at Elche and Malaga. We have requested permission from Leeds United to
speak to Gus Poyet in order to invite him to join the Club to work with Ramos
alongside Alvarez. Juande Ramos and Marcos Alvarez will take the team for
Wednesday night's fixture against Blackpool in the Carling Cup 4th Round. They
will be guests of the Chairman and the Board for Sunday's League game against
Blackburn Rovers.

Linked here: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/tottenhamhotspurappointsnewheadcoach.html

Open Letter by Daniel Levy

Courtesy of Official Site-

An open letter to supporters from Chairman Daniel Levy.
Dear
Supporter,
Today we welcome members of our new coaching team to the Lane - Juande
Ramos and Marcos Alvarez and, in doing so, we bring to an end an unsettled two
months for our Club. Much has been written and speculated about the Club in the
past few weeks. Quite clearly there are always two sides to every story but, in
the interests of the Club, we have endured much criticism without responding or
retaliating. We have instead issued statements, when appropriate, containing
accurate and relevant information. For you, the supporters, there are two
particular issues on which I would now like to comment:

Firstly regarding
reports about Thursday evening - the first time Martin and I met to discuss his
position was after the match, there were no discussions prior and there were
none of the reported disagreements. We would not have, in any case, asked Martin
to take charge of the match under those circumstances. Media speculation which
preceded the game, inaccurately reporting Martin as having resigned, was in no
way a deliberate measure by this Club, in no way served our purposes and we have
resented any suggestion that this was the case. Leaks (which are wholly
unacceptable) and speculation accompanied the game and it is a sad and
regrettable aspect that individuals get caught in their midst. Several events
clearly did not happen as we all would have wished and I am the first to admit
that things could have been handled differently and better.

Secondly, I should like to once again outline how the acquisition and disposal of players works at the club. We have a Football Management Group which meets on a regular basis – this is constituted by myself, Damien Comolli (Sporting Director), John Alexander (Club Secretary) and the Head Coach, now Juande Ramos. This group meets to discuss, identify and acquire players in targeted positions and to
consider possible disposals. No player is brought into the Club or sold who is
not approved by the coaching staff – it would be counter-productive to buy
players that won’t be played. It is a system that Juande has worked with for
years, which allows him to specify his needs and to concentrate on coaching the
team whilst Damien and his scouting network seek options. This process clearly
relies on accurate briefing and good decision making. It has a collective
responsibility.

In conclusion, you, our supporters, should know that your Board
has always had, and will always have, the long term interests of your Club as
its sole focus. In the past six years we have accommodated many changes, some of
our own instigation and some that were thrust upon us by circumstance. I
consider it the mark of the strength of an organisation as to how it deals with
change, realigns and moves forward. We have made the changes, popular or
unpopular as they may be, that we felt were necessary and right. New
possibilities now face us, please lend us your support as we move forward
together.

Yours,
Daniel

Linked here: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/openletterfromchairmandaniellevy.html

Nephew told Jol about Sacking

Courtesy of ESPN/whoever they got the story from-

Martin Jol found out he had been sacked as Tottenham manager when his
nephew Rob told him seconds after the 2-1 defeat to Getafe on Thursday night.
Reports that the Dutchman had been dismissed were in the
public domain during the UEFA Cup game and the news filtered through to
supporters, who chanted in support of Jol.
But crucially Jol did not know
until after the game, and admitted he was 'embarrassed' that supporters knew his
fate before he did.
He told The People: 'The first I knew was when I saw my
nephew in the tunnel immediately after the game and he pulled me to one side and
told me what everyone else seemed to know already.
'So it is rubbish to say
that I heard it before the game.'
Juande Ramos was last night appointed as
Jol's successor, with first-team coach Chris Hughton also being dismissed
alongside Jol.
The Dutch coach added: 'I went into the dressing room to tell
the players and say farewell to them - and they all stood up and applauded me.
'It was a strange night because it was my final game in charge but it was
also a special night. I had a great connection with the Tottenham fans and that
will always be there.
'The fans were unbelievable the way they were chanting
my name throughout the game, and I am a little embarrassed because they knew
before me that I was gone.'
Despite that embarrassment, Jol denies he
angrily confronted Spurs chairman Daniel Levy as some reports suggested.
'I
don't have a problem with Daniel or the club because they treated me very well
throughout my time there.
'Spurs are a great club and I am 100% certain that
they will get better and better. They will strengthen the team and when Ledley
King is back from injury soon they will be very strong.
'I am going to have
a few weeks off but I would love to stay in English football. I have a house
here, my daughter is settled in school and we love it in England.'

Linked here: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=476624&cc=5901

Ramos resigns at Sevilla

Courtesy of ESPN/someone else probably-

Juande Ramos appears to be on the verge of becoming Tottenham's manager
after admitting it was 'impossible not to leave' his post at Sevilla and move to
London.
The Spaniard tendered his resignation with the Andalucian club
last night, clearing the way for him to succeed Martin Jol as Spurs boss after
the Dutchman was dismissed on Thursday night.
His parting statement on his
personal website www.juanderamos.com did not mention Spurs by name but all the
signs point to him being unveiled at White Hart Lane sooner rather than later.
He said: 'My heart will remain in Nervion (the area of Seville where the
club's ground is located) but for my family and my profession it is impossible
not to leave for London,' he said.
'To the red and white family of the
Sanchez Pizjuan (Sevilla's stadium) I only say to you that I could go very far
away but, Sevillista friend, I assure you, that nobody will ever be closer to
you.'
Ramos also looks to certain to be working alongside former Spurs
midfielder Gus Poyet, whose future as Dennis Wise's assistant at Leeds was
thrown into doubt last night.
The pair's initial task will be lifting the
spectre of relegation that has haunted the club all season.
Sevilla
confirmed Ramos' departure last night on their official website.
It read:
'Juande Ramos appeared on the third floor of the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan (stadium)
to present a document in which he asked for his contract to be rescinded under
clause 1006/85 at 22.35pm (local time).
'Ramos was accompanied by his
physical trainer Marcos Alvarez, who presented the same document to the general
director of the club, Jose Maria Cruz, in the presence of Ramon Rodriguez
Monchi, the club's sporting director.
'The now ex-Sevilla coach declined the
possibility of giving a press conference at the club's training facilities and
has chosen his website as a means of saying goodbye to Sevilla FC.'
Poyet's
appointment appears less clear cut after Leeds issued a cryptic statement
announcing he would not be in the dugout for this afternoon's Coca-Cola League
One clash against Millwall.
It read: 'In the best interests of the team he
will not be in attendance at Elland Road for the fixture against Millwall to
allow the players to fully focus on the game without any distractions.'
Spurs will attempt to appoint the duo swiftly as they look to salvage
something from their season.
Jol's assistant Chris Hughton was also
dismissed in the shake-up, while goalkeeper coach Hans Segers was asked to step
down with immediate effect yesterday.
Jol was expected to take a few days
holiday before considering his options.
Spurs are less laid back about their
own situation and Clive Allen's appointment as caretaker for the Blackburn game
tomorrow is seen as extremely short term, unlike when David Pleat took over for
most of the 2003-04 season.

Linked here: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=476257&cc=5901