Spurs not embarrassed over Ramos

Sporting director Damien Comolli has insisted Tottenham Hotspur have nothing to be embarrassed about after unveiling Juande Ramos as their new head coach.

The manner of Martin Jol's dismissal last week has been described as "extremely disturbing" by the League Managers' Association, while the fall-out over Ramos' departure from Sevilla is likely to involve a lengthy legal process.

But Comolli said: "I'm not embarrassed. Sometimes you have to make decisions like this in football. It was a decision we had to take, we had to make, and it was made. We are looking for stability."

Ramos, whose unveiling was not witnessed in person by chairman Daniel Levy, has denied reports that he secretly met Spurs officials at the start of the season to discuss a possible move.

The 53-year-old Spaniard said: "There were some pictures in Sevilla but I can honestly say I didn't meet any one of the Tottenham directors. I had an offer in August from three or four teams in pre-season.

"There were a lot of rumours at that particular time and I decided not to take any of those offers back then. It was the right time now. Sevilla went through some bad results so I felt I had to take this chance now."

Under a so-called continental system at White Hart Lane, Comolli will identify potential recruits after Ramos tells him what type of player is needed, leading to the perception of the sporting director holding greater influence.

Comolli added: "I'm 100 per cent convinced that the technical director role works, 99 per cent of the clubs around the world use that system, win trophies, win football matches. So it works.

"If the chairman and the board are not happy with what I'm doing, they'll probably ask me to leave.

"But 50 or 60 per cent is about the club in the future, and 40 per cent is about the club now. If they're not happy with what I'm doing, they'll ask me to leave.

"I'm not interested about this (Ramos') job. Juande is very competent at what he does, has a proven record of winning in style.

"As a scouting department, we have to come up with solutions which we take to him. If he's got a name, that's fantastic. Saves me a lot of trips. But if not, we have to come up with options."

Meanwhile, Sevilla striker Fredi Kanoute has played down reports linking him with a return to Tottenham to link back up with Ramos.

The Mali striker, who spent two years at the Lane, has insisted he is happy to see out his contract at Sevilla.

Kanoute said: "My situation is that I have a contract here. After this season I have two seasons left so there is absolutely no hurry for me.

"I don't believe in the contact with Tottenham because I don't think it's true. At the moment I'm at Sevilla and I'm enjoying the football here.

"I will continue here. I don't know how long for, but I have a contract here, so I will see."

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.