Goodbye MJ
It’s a nice leisurely atmosphere down at the Lane with myself, Oog and my mate Charlie (a Yiddo through and through) sat together for a change. Blessed be the Cup Guarantee system, ITV’s rights to the UEFA fixtures and the resulting empty seats.
The football is rubbish with only a single moment of the Spurs we knew as we took the lead in the first half, followed by the new Spurs we must still love that concedes from a set piece only a minute later. Getafe have no special players but play well enough as a team. We’re playing well enough individually (just) but are playing very “specially” indeed as a team. The car crash that is continues, but then this is to be expected. What is not to be expected is a nudge from Oog as he presents a text message to my gawping face.
“Martin Jol has resigned,” it reads, “Ramos to takeover - reports unconfirmed.”
I look back at an equally stunned Oog and with caution we spread the message about the block. Under a minute later, the Park Lane faithful singing are soon to be ex’s name.
“I love Martin Jol, Martin Jol loves me,” rolls out to the tune of Land of Hope & Glory. We’re not the only ones who’ve heard and the whole crowd joins in with gusto and it echoes around the hallowed walls of White Hart Lane and up into the heavens beyond never to be heard again. Any doubts about the drama unfolding off the field, which has now surpassed any game of football, are dispelled as an old and boring request from the hardcore is re-worded to a command that all will respect. “Stand up if you hate arsenal” is replaced with, “Stand up, for Martin Jol” and we do, and we applaud as we do so, over and over again.
The players have no idea why we were clapping. There’s certainly nothing in their game to warrant such praise. I wonder if they’ve worked it out? I wonder if they already knew?
When the game ends, it turns out we’ve lost. We deserved to. We were shit. Half of the crowd give a cursory boo to remind the players that it not acceptable, whatever else has occurred tonight, but one game out of four in the UEFA Cup is meaningless when the top three go through and we’re used to this kind of thing by now.
More to the point though our minds are racing. What now? Who next and the realisation that, like it or not, this season we’re going to be fighting for our lives. It amazes me how quickly I shake it off. Perhaps it’s my defeat thickened thick skin, perhaps the fact that all else is rosy for The Bagel or perhaps it’s that deep down I knew that this had to happen. The blow is quickly cushioned by LB and the King of the Irish his blend of ever-positive attitude, good humour and free whiskey.
As I lie in bed with LB at the end of it all, I can’t help think of a quote from the great man himself when we missed out on fourth by one point all that time ago.
“I was gutted,” he said in his wonderfully adopted English turn of phrase, “I couldn’t even talk to my wife - I could touch her, but I couldn’t talk to her.”
May the fans always rise to meet you Martin. You will always be our favourite.
“Adieu, adieu. Parting is such sweet sorrow.”
The Bagel.
October 26th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Bagel
Just when you think things can’t get any worse…. they fuckin do.
I can see us continuing to struggle. Relegation is a reality and if those over paid buggers don’t pull their fingers out Ramos will be the the best paid manager in the championship.
What’s Spanish for “Oh fuck!”
October 26th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
At least we can now this season a “transition” season. Well done board.
October 26th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
My favourite Jol clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzXXzbV-L5w
October 26th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
I’m still in a state of numbness. I really liked Martin Jol, he endeared himself to us, brought us a new era (albeit a short one) & above all else, he remained dignified throughout all the horseshit served up by the board.
Some of the players should hang their heads in shame, as they’ve assisted this issue.
Apparently Spurs have slapped down a “take it or leave it” offer for Ramos to join our club sooner rather than later & it’s been reported that Sevilla’s director of football is in London, seemingly to negotiate a compensation package
I wish Martin Jol well for the future, he deserved a lot better than the way he’s been treated
October 26th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Now all that remains is to see whether Jol will hold his word and be in the stands at our next game!
October 26th, 2007 at 11:48 pm
BAGEL FLASH!
Ramos has stood down as coach of Sevilla.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2200335,00.html
Also, Marcos Alvarez, Physical trainer for Seville has resigned. Guess that’s it then…
October 27th, 2007 at 12:11 am
TobytheYid
It looking like a done deal with Ramos & Alverez resigning from Sevilla. I see Leeds have told Gus Poyet to stay away from their match this weekend, looks like Gus may well be returning to The Lane
This must have been some blinder of an offer Spurs have made to Ramos. Let’s hope it’s worth it. It’s reported Ramos will join Spurs on Monday
October 27th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
I am a fan of Seville FC. I believe that Juande Ramos is a great coach and his work has been fantastic. A warning: Ramos has said in the last summer that will continue in Seville FC up to the end of the season; Ramos promised the president Del Nido, looked at the eyes at Del Nido, and promised that he will fulfill his word.
The money is very important. I agree.
Ramos has lost a great opportunity: His exit will not be that of a hero. Today private plane goes for London, in the night, nobody will come to his farewell. It’s a sad end after 5 titles (2 UEFA Cup, 1 Europe Supercup, 1 King’s Cup, 1 Spain’s Supercup) in 2 years.
A question: How it will be Ramos’s end in the Tottenham? His exit will be honourable???
Good Luck in Premier League and good luck in UEFA Cup.
In August there died our player Puerta, and in October we are betrayed by the coach Ramos. We will continue forward!!
October 27th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
Santi,
You absolutely will continue forward! Every Spurs fan can only dream that we could have the success that Seville F.C. have enjoyed recently - you are statistically the best team in the world at the moment!
The death of your player was a complete tragedy, and I understand you must be angry at the manner of Ramos’ departure. You make a valid point… Ramos does not seem to stay at football clubs for very long!
I hope we both meet in the Champion’s League final very soon!
T
October 28th, 2007 at 12:08 am
In the overjoyed words of Homer Simpson regarding Ramos joining us: ‘Woooooooop woop woop woop wooooooooop’
October 29th, 2007 at 11:44 am
About this gentlemans agreement amongst club chairman - the one about not poaching managers - you did it once with george graham and now you’ve done it again.
Add to this the lack of class levy showed in his treatment of jol, I hope you get relegated, it’s what you deserve, and lets face it, you aint good enough to stay up anyway.
Dreamers, all of you, you don’t belong at the top of the table, you are not a big club, not a sleeping giant, you are no different from charlton or qpr, without the class.
October 30th, 2007 at 11:22 am
Martin jol didn’t do his job tottenham were losing so the director had to sack, juande ramos is way better then him. Tottenham are going to be a better side now with poyet and ramos in charge