Poyet settled in London
Former Tottenham assistant boss Gus Poyet wants to pursue a managerial career in England rather than follow Juande Ramos to Real Madrid.
Ramos and Poyet formed a partnership at White Hart Lane that brought a trophy to the club within four months – but their reign turned sour this season and they were dismissed.
Poyet, the former Spurs and Chelsea midfielder, is understood to be keen on making the step up to management on his own, even if Ramos asked him to join former Spurs fitness coach Marcos Alvarez on his backroom staff.
“It would be a big decision and would put me in a situation,” Poyet said. “It’s Real Madrid and it is very difficult to say no to them but I’m pleased in England, I’m in London and love everything here so I am hoping to start working here.”
Ramos tightened Spurs’ defence when he was appointed as Martin Jol’s successor just over a year ago – and Poyet expects him to do the same at the Bernabeu.
One of Ramos’ coaching techniques at Spurs was to join defenders with rope to help them play as a unit, and it has been at the back where Real have been struggling.
“He’s got one thing that is the key, that is working with the defence,” Poyet said on Sky Sports’ Revista La Liga. “Real Madrid, with the quality of their players, won’t have many problems going forward but they cannot defend.
“The first few weeks are going to be all about tactics and defending, while giving the attackers freedom to go forward.”
Poyet feels Ramos, whose pay-off from Spurs has been settled, will be motivated by the prospect of extending his short-term contract with the Spanish giants.
“I’m sure Juande will try to earn a two or three-year contract,” Poyet added. “I’m sure he expects to do it.
“I was surprised with the timing but not with Juande getting the job. Why now? We knew it was coming but we didn’t know when.
“I think he’s going to do well because he knows the mentality that is needed in Spain and he has the quality which is the most important thing. He is going to get a reaction, that happened at Spurs.”
Former Spurs manager Ramos also revealed his admiration for Didier Zokora.
Zokora appears to be behind Tom Huddlestone in Harry Redknapp’s pecking order of defensive midfielders.
“The player that impressed me most was Zokora,” said Ramos.
Real have also been linked with Andrei Arshavin who Ramos spoke to in the summer about joining Spurs – but being ineligible for the Champions League this season is thought to be a stumbling block.
