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Ramos bounces back as new Real manager
Graham Hunter10.12.08
Juande Ramos made a dramatic return to football today as coach of Real Madrid just six weeks after he was sacked by Tottenham.
The Spanish giants axed Bernd Schuster this morning and immediately appointed the 54-year-old until the end of the season.
“In most of my previous jobs I have had short contracts,” said Ramos. “We came to a quick agreement and if we're both happy at the end of the season we might prolong the contract. I'd like to thank the directors for the confidence they have put in me. I am facing this job with great excitement. This is every coach's dream.”
Ramos, who has brought former Spurs fitness coach Marcos Alvarez with him to Real, begins his reign with the Champions League match against Zenit St Petersburg tomorrow and follows that with a trip to Barcelona.
Schuster was sacked following his controversial declaration after Sunday's 4-3 defeat at home to Sevilla that “we cannot win at the Nou Camp on Saturday”.
However, Ramos today said: “I have to confront every game with the will to win. Barcelona are one of the biggest clubs in the world and are playing excellent football. But Real Madrid have the character and prestige to face any club in any stadium in the world.”
Ramos, who won only 21 of 54 games at Spurs, was sacked after the club suffered their worst start to a League season.
The Spaniard now faces an equally difficult task at the Bernabeu with Real nine points behind
La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Ramos inherits many problems at Real one of which is the season-long absence of defensive midfielder Mahamadou Diarra through injury.
The club may now look to sign Xabi Alonso from Liverpool in January as cover.
Reader views (10)
Interesting.... I was told several months ago that Ramos knew that Real Madrid were interested, would he really have tried to get the sack at Tottenham ??? Something else I was told recently is that Jenas wants to play in Spain, low and behold he pops up in the press a couple of days ago praising life under Ramos and singing his praises........Watch this space!!
- Paxton, N17
Different set ups and different footballing culture - one in which he has been very successful in. Best of luck to the man, hope he does well. No hard feelings from a Spurs fan here.
- H, London
Thanks Juande and good luck mate!
- Adrian, London
wakey wakey rob the knob...spurs already have 1st class training facilites,are building a new one and a new ground...forgotten what the highbury library sounded like,mind you our 37,000 make a damn site more noise than 70,000 mute gooners...enjoy not winning a trophy again,funny how you find wenger amazing one week and then have a whine the next when the gooners dont produce something that suits you...muppet
- Tom Spur, Uxbridge
Not a 'Spark' of intelligence as usual. Enjoying mid-table Harry are you? Last 32 of the Uefa & taking the Carling Cup seriously, probably a good idea as it is the only way you are likely to qualify for europe's second rate competition. Nothing a new ground, top class training facillities, superior players & a top class manager wont cure!
- Rob Gooner, North London
We are goona look pretty super silly if he turns Real around.......
Spursfan.....
- Mario, London, UK
As a Spurs fan, the best of luck Juande!
- Manny Goldstein, London, UK
another constructive comments from the Amazing Wenger s biggest fan,i suppose the real madrid hierachy never meddle in affairs do they.....di youknow he is their 8th coach in 5 years.no meddling there then..its world KNOWN FACT that Raul rules and the major problem with him is Mijatovic
- Sparky, herts
Good luck Jaunde, you will find things much easier at Real, without the meddling Daniel Levy!
- Rob Gooner, North London
bye bye Juande .. do you want to take a 'keeper with you?
- Paul, London
