Football Dispatch

Tuesday Football
30 October 2007
by Jerrad Peters

SEVILLA are plotting a legal bombardment on Tottenham Hotspur. The Andalusian club, bitter over the sudden departure of manager Juande Ramos to London, will file a formal lawsuit against their English counterparts within the next several weeks. Sevilla are alleging that Spurs "tapped-up" Ramos on numerous occasions between the end of August and his arrival at White Hart Lane over the weekend. In other words, the Spanish side believes that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy intentionally tampered with Ramos' contract at Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan, essentially tempting him out of his job without the prior consent of the club. "They will get the response they deserve from Seville," hissed Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido. "We will channel our energy, force all the means available to us in making sure Tottenham pay the consequences of a situation they have illegally and illegitimately provoked." Del Nido concluded his rant, yesterday, by stating, "Here in Spain, we're not used to treachery between football clubs."

While his former bosses were busy hatching the next armada, Ramos began life as manager of Tottenham Hotspur. And as far as first impressions are concerned, his new players did not acquit themselves particularly well. In addition to losing 2-1 at home to Blackburn Rovers in front of their new boss on Sunday night, they turned up at training on Monday with what can only be described as a disappointing level of fitness. Ramos immediately got around to changing that. In addition to implementing new dietary and training regimens, he got things started with grueling, back-to-back training sessions. After arriving at the club's Chigwell facilities in the morning, the players trained until noon, were allowed a brief lunch break, and then returned to the grounds. Gus Poyet joined his new boss mid-morning; and Ramos was the first to arrive at Chigwell in the early hours. The 53-year-old Spaniard, who is only begining to learn English, will field a full-strength side against Blackpool in the Carling Cup, tomorrow. With European qualification all but out of the question in the league, Ramos will target the domestic cups as a route into continental competition.

Valencia are hoping to lure Jose Mourinho back into management. Just days after sacking Quique Sanchez Flores from his post as the Mestalla and installing Oscar Hernandez are caretaker-manager, club chairman Juan Soler is crossing his fingers that Mourinho will make the move to La Liga. Out of work since departing Chelsea a month ago, Mourinho admitted that one of Spain or Italy would represent the next destination in his career. Valencia, however, may be too small a club for the self-proclaimed Special One. But don't tell that to Soler. Upon firing Sanchez Flores, he cited the desire to become known as one of the continent's big clubs. His ambition may match that of Mourinho's. Additionally, Valencia will travel to Stamford Bridge for a match against Chelsea in the Champions' league on 11 December. Mourinho, one might think, could be tempted into the job for just such an occasion. What would he love more than beating Roman Abramovich and Avram Grant in a highly-publicized match of retribution, perhaps dumping Chelsea out of the Champions' League in the process.

FIFA has suspended Kuwait from international competition. The governing body, which handed-down its decision earlier today, cited the government's meddling and interference in domestic football hierarchy as its raison d'etre. And with World Cup qualification set to resume in a fortnight, the pressure is on for a top-to-bottom transformation in Kuwait City.

Gilberto Silva is one step closer to attaining a one-way ticket out of London. The Arsenal and Brazil midfielder infuriated Gunners manager Arsene Wenger when he refused to play at centre-back against Sheffield United in the Carling Cup, tomorrow. Wenger, who plans to field a mostly inexperienced side, had counted on the former captain's experience in the heart of defense. Silva, however, would prefer his traditional role in the centre of midfield. With the superb play of Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini, the 31-year-old has had difficulty regaining his first-team place so far this season. The matter will probably come to a head when the transfer window opens in January. Juventus have been targeting Gilberto since Claudio Ranieri took the helm at the Bianconeri; and Valencia are thought to be interested in the former Atletico Miniero star as well.

Glenn Roeder is the new manager of Norwich City. After a dreadful start to their Championship campaign, Canaries' boss Peter Grant parted ways with the club on 09 October and Jim Duffy was promoted to interim manager. Chairman Roger Munby is hopeful that the former Newcastle and West Ham boss will be able to turn the club around in a hurry. Norwich have just eight points from 13 games this term. Roeder's first match in charge will be the derby with Ipswich Town at Carrow Road on Sunday.