Pascal Chimbonda has admitted he is enduring a difficult season with Tottenham, but believes success for the club could be just around the corner.
Chimbonda joined Spurs from Wigan in August 2006 to play in Europe and also boost his chances of becoming a regular for France.
He believes he was right to move to White Hart Lane even though Spurs have been in turmoil of late and are currently third from bottom in the Premier League.
Chimbonda is confident Tottenham will improve under Juande Ramos and feels they can challenge for UEFA Champions League qualification over the coming seasons.
"Since I have played in England this has been my most difficult season," he told L'Equipe.
"Obviously we have good players, but we have to prove it on the pitch. It hasn't worked for the team so far. But I believe when we get some success we could become dangerous. Would I be tempted to leave for a club that plays in the Champions League? I don't know, I feel at ease here. If one day it happens that would be fine. But I believe we can also get Champions League qualification with Tottenham."
Chimbonda has not played for France since leaving Wigan but is hoping to force his way back into Raymond Domenech's plans.
"I believe I made the right choice by signing for Tottenham," he said.
"To last in the French team you have to be at a good club. By signing here, I believed it would change things. But the coach has made his choices, and I am not part of it. What can I do when he plays a midfielder (Lassana Diarra) at right-back? I am not angry, I will just work hard and do my best to be called again."
29 10 2007
Tottenham have confirmed that Gus Poyet will join the club as one of two first-team coaches. Poyet will leave his current post at Leeds United to work alongside Marcos Alvarez under the new head coach Juande Ramos.
Poyet, 39, has left Leeds with the club's best wishes after they agreed an undisclosed compensation package with Tottenham. Leeds granted Tottenham permission to speak to their assistant manager yesterday morning following an official approach for the Uruguayan.
"The club would like to thank Gus for his efforts over the past 12 months and wishes him every success in his new role," read a Leeds statement. "He leaves with the best wishes of everyone connected with the club."
Poyet arrived at Leeds in October 2006 as No2 to former Chelsea team-mate Dennis Wise. The pair had forged a managerial partnership the previous summer at Swindon where they had steered the club to the top of League Two.
Poyet, who retired as a player after three years at White Hart Lane in 2004, has been an integral part of Leeds' unbeaten start to the season as the Yorkshire club look to challenge for promotion despite being hit by a 15-point deduction for financial irregularities.
28 10 2007
Goalkeeper Paul Robinson is expected to be the first casualty at White Hart Lane as the Juande Ramos era begins.
Multiple media reports coming out of London are suggesting that Juande Ramos has chosen to begin his new side's restructuring from the very back.
Robinson has been in poor form over the last twelve months, and guilty of a number of gaffes that have cost Spurs, and sometimes England, dearly.
Ramos is said to have called for a goalkeeper who can snatch points for the team, not give them away, and has told chairman Daniel Levy without room for interpretation: "Get me Palop in January."
Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop, himself known for the odd eccentric moment - in particular rushing out of goal at first opportunity - has been in superb form over the last year or so.
The 25-year-old moved to Sevilla just over two years ago - was one of Juande Ramos' first signings back then - after playing under-study to Santi Canizares at Valencia, and failing to break into the first team.
At the Sanchez Pizjuan, though, he has come into his own, and supported his team's push for silverware with some superb displays. That his record saving penalties rivals that of 'Pepe' Reina is hardly a disadvantage.
28 10 2007
New Tottenham head coach Juande Ramos hopes to bring Sevilla duo Daniel Alves and Fredi Kanoute to White Hart Lane.
The 53-year-old left Sevilla on Friday and was installed as Martin Jol's successor by Spurs 24 hours later.
Kanoute left Spurs and signed for the Spanish side just over two years ago and the 30-year-old has played a key role in the club's recent success - finishing third in La Liga last term and winning the UEFA Cup in each of the last two seasons.
Alves was linked with a big-money move to Chelsea in the summer but may prefer to be reunited with Ramos in north London.
Ramos was quoted in the News of the World as saying: "I'd like to sign Alves and Kanoute. These two players would be sensational for any club in the world but I'm not sure if Sevilla will accept it."
Ramos may also raid his former club for goalkeeper Andres Palop and defender Julien Escude.
27 10 2007
Juande Ramos has admitted it was 'impossible' for him to turn down the opportunity of managing Tottenham.
The Spaniard quit as Sevilla coach on Friday night, paving the way for him to be named as Martin Jol's successor at White Hart Lane.
Ramos has been linked with a move to the Premier League club for much of the season after being pictured meeting with Spurs officials.
He told his personal website: "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. 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 looks set to be working alongside former Spurs midfielder Gus Poyet, whose future as Dennis Wise's assistant at Leeds was thrown into doubt on Friday.
Sevilla confirmed Ramos' departure on their official website in a statement which 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 www.juanderamos.com as a means of saying goodbye to Sevilla FC."
Ramos, who led Sevilla to two Uefa Cups during his time in charge, added on his website: "Sevilla FC is much bigger than a player or a manager. The greatness of the fans is something innate, it is impossible to comprehend this passion and devotion if you have not shared it with them, therefore I am convinced that the professional nature and honesty of all of the members of this club will take advantage of my farewell to straighten out the course of a season which has begun with doubts. I have just been a part of the machinery which works exceptionally and which will once again obtain the merit of victory this season. The professionals are extraordinary, the perspective is enormous. Sevilla FC will be much greater after I have left."
27 10 2007
Juande Ramos has resigned as Sevilla coach, so paving the way to join Tottenham as new manager.
According to reports in Spain, Ramos has agreed a four-year deal and is expected to join Spurs on Monday.
Without mentioning Tottenham by name, the 53-year-old Ramos told his personal website: "For my family and career it is impossible not to leave for London."
The Evening Standard newspaper reported Ramos would be paid £25m over the length of his contract.
"This has been the hardest decision of my life," added Ramos. "My time at Sevilla has been the most important period of my life personally and professionally. I will be eternally grateful."
Sevilla's physical trainer Marcos Alvarez has also tendered his resignation.
Ramos' contract with Sevilla had been due to expire at the end of this season.
"The now ex-Sevilla coach declined the possibility of giving a press conference at the club's training facilities," said a Sevilla statement.
"He has chosen his website www.juanderamos.com as a means of saying goodbye to Sevilla."
27 10 2007
Sir Alex Ferguson feels Martin Jol is probably relieved his tortuous time as Tottenham manager has finally come to an end.
Ferguson interviewed Jol for a job as his assistant at Manchester United, having been impressed by the work he had done in his native Holland at RKC Waalwijk.
Ferguson was as saddened as anybody when Jol's exit was confirmed on Thursday.
However, having been subjected to the "drip, drip, drip effect" of speculation over his tenure, Ferguson feels his old rival might be glad it is all over.
"Martin has great qualities," said Ferguson.
"He is a decent man who has showed his integrity but he is probably relieved it is all over. I don't know the full ins and outs but we have all witnessed a drip, drip, drip effect right from the start of the season when there was talk of the people from Tottenham meeting the Seville coach (Juande Ramos). Whether it happened or not, it appeared in the press, so the press were continually on about the guy's future. The media were not doing that out of malice. I am sure they were getting information, tittle-tattle and bits of rumour. That is enough to exacerbate it. But it cannot be healthy that every day Martin turns the paper over, his future is being discussed."
26 10 2007
Leeds United have denied that Tottenham have shown an interest in taking assistant manager Gus Poyet and have warned the Premier League club off making any approach in the future.
Poyet, who made nearly 100 appearances for Spurs between 2001 and 2004, has been linked with a role in a new-look setup at White Hart Lane following the sacking of manager Martin Jol on Thursday night.
It has been speculated that Poyet could work as assistant to Juande Ramos should the club be successful in their attempts to lure the Sevilla boss – a man they first targeted back in August when Spurs' season started in poor fashion.
However, Leeds are keen to ensure that Poyet continues his fine work alongside manager Dennis Wise as the Yorkshire club are currently unbeaten in League One with 10 wins from their first 12 games.
'Despite the widespread speculation that emerged last night linking Gus Poyet with a potential role at Tottenham Hotspur within a new management team following the departure of Martin Jol, Leeds United can officially confirm that we have neither received an approach from Tottenham for Poyet nor a request from him to be released from his contract with Leeds,' read a statement from chief executive Shaun Harvey.
'Any approach from Tottenham for our assistant manager would not be welcome. The most important matter for everyone at Leeds United is Saturday's fixture against Millwall where we will be looking to extend our unbeaten start to the league season. The club will not be making any further comment at this time.'
26 10 2007
Former Tottenham Hotspur player Joe Kinnear has offered his services as the North London side look to stabilise following the sacking of Martin Jol on Thursday night.
It is expected that Sevilla coach Juande Ramos is chairman Daniel Levy's long-term target but he remains under contract with the Spanish club and some reports have claimed he is unlikely to leave Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan until the end of the current campaign.
In the short term, Clive Allen and Alex Inglethorpe will take charge for the game against Blackburn Rovers, but Kinnear – who made nearly 200 appearances for Spurs and won the FA Cup in 1967 – would be only to happy to help out should the call come from Levy.
Whilst Kinnear has also put his name forward for the Republic of Ireland job, his deep feelings for Spurs mean he is willing to help out in any capacity as they look to turnaround what has been a poor season to date.
"I hate to see my beloved club in such a terrible state of affairs and at the wrong end of the table,' said Kinnear.
"While they are trying to sort the situation out I would be only too happy to offer advice on and off the pitch, and I will help in any way that the club needs me. It is well known that I am a candidate for the Republic of Ireland job, but, in the meantime, I would always go out of my way to help Tottenham in their hour of need."
Kinnear's last job in football was an ill-fated spell at Nottingham Forest which ended in December 2004.
26 10 2007
Juande Ramos is firm favourite to succeed Martin Jol at White Hart Lane.
The Tottenham board ended Jol's reign on Thursday - before the Uefa Cup defeat to Getafe.
Spurs now look set to turn to Ramos - who they unsuccessfully attempted to lure earlier this season - in a move which unsettled Jol and one which he never seemed to recover from.
Uefa Cup holders Sevilla are desperate to keep Ramos, until next summer at least, but reports in Spain claim that a deal with Spurs is close to being agreed after talks began on Thursday.
It is also reported that former Spurs midfielder Gus Poyet, currently assistant to Dennis Wise at Leeds, will be brought in to work alongside Ramos.
Former Spurs idol Jurgen Klinsmann is also being suggested as a possible contender, but Ramos is very much seemingly the man being targeted by the North London club.
