The public face of Tottenham Hotspur, oft tarnished by rumour and accusation, took another broadside last night. Martin Jol, the alleged "dead man walking", finally was served his last rites. Sadly its unlikely to be the last recrimination in this saga, as the impending appointment of Juande Ramos, while based on good footballing merit, is steeped in acrimony, - for Sex, Lies and Video Tape, think Spurs, Lies and Juandegate.
Martin Jol is not the finished article. Nor is he finished as a manager. As I write this I am willing him to pick himself up, dust off the dutch, and take the Ajax job. I doubt any manager will get a more rapturous reception at the Lane in years to come when one of his sides comes to town.
Back to the finished article comment.
There are three types of fan. The ever happy "we'll be fine" merchants. The pessimistic sort that boos Berbatov for not grinning like a cheshire cat. And the realist who sits in between, contemplating things evenly.
Every one of those realists will have been delighted by our league position these last two seasons. They will have loved the signings and performances of Berbatov, Bale, Lennon, and others. They will have enjoyed the fact that for a large part of the season before last the club was above Arsenal.
However. The big But. This group of realists will also understand that something was missing. Jol for all his personal skills, his affability and eloquence, failed on one or two key points...the big one being the ability to raise players belief to a level that allowed them to compete with the big four. Aspirations are a wonderful thing - but if you are unable to be as articulate to those players charged with fullfilling this dream, as you are with the press, then things are going to come unstuck.
And so was the case.
Now don't for a second understate the role the Tottenham board have played in this. They were clumsy at best, malicious at worst. If Ramos is appointed, it is likely he will succeed where Jol has failed. Wrongly though they have gone about the process of finding a new manager, they have identified someone in Ramos who fits the bill in terms of style, mental strength and conviction. He has the wherewithall to compete with the likes of Benitez and Grant, and could grow into a Wenger or Ferguson. However the bad taste that will have been left in the mouths of fans all round the world, may mean that more than ever he needs to get results fast.
Spurs are in a predicament at the moment. However with any managerial departure comes an upturn in form - usually a 3 or 4 game run - this could easily position the club in the top 10. Any new manager needs to instill his beliefs and methodologies into a club. He brings with him his own trusted people - hence the departure of Segers and Hughton. Ramos will be installed in the next 5 days. He has five games to gain the confidence of the fans or the accrimony will start again.
A final thought for those doubting whether Ramos will arrive in the immediate future. Its the worst kept secret in football that he has accepted the job starting next season. Does he really want to come to the club next season, after a relegation battle or worse still, relegation itself? Spurs are going to pay him a small fortune to take them to the next level, giving him a platform to compete with the best managers in the business in the biggest league in the world. He can't let that pass him by.
A final thought on Martin Jol. He's done enough in around three years to stay in the hearts of Tottenham fans forever. Not necessarily for his team's performances. Nor his tactical prowess. But because of those moments.
Hugging Defoe to him after that tackle
Fronting up to Wenger in the derby
Admitting he was off sex when Spurs missed fourth place
His sneaky fags at half time
His awesome manner and handling of the media
His heart on sleeve approach.
He'll be feeling low this morning - of that there's no doubt.
I won't remember him as a failure though. Just a great great guy.