Spurs deny Ramos link
Tottenham have denied offering Juande Ramos the job as boss at White Hart Lane - but his name is expected to remain linked with eventually taking over from Martin Jol.
Jol held talks with the Spurs board yesterday and was told to get the club challenging for Champions League qualification, earning him more time after his position as boss looked fragile.
Spurs officials met Ramos last week in Spain, which has been explained as a private matter, and it is understood that it was the Premier League club that cooled talks.
“No individual was or has been offered the position of manager/coach at this club while that position has been held by Martin Jol,” read a statement from Spurs.
Ramos has a year left on his contract at Sevilla – whom he has guided to consecutive UEFA Cups – and has previously stated his ambition to work in England one day.
“I don’t think they will give up on Ramos, it’s whether they can afford him and make him an offer he can’t refuse,” said former Spurs skipper Graham Roberts on Sky Sports News.
“If they can get Ramos then I think it would be a great forward move, but let’s give Martin a chance and hopefully he will turn it around.”
Jol admits the pressure is now on him to deliver Champions League football this season.
“The last two seasons we have finished fifth and this season we start with an even better team,” said the Dutchman. “So we should be optimistic. Yes, it is pressure to deliver, but that is what we managers should expect.”
Jol spent around £40m on players during the summer but lost to Sunderland and Everton in the opening four days of the season, which led to concerns over his job. “I am an ambitious chairman, we are an ambitious club and we want Champions League football at White Hart Lane,” said chairman Daniel Levy.
