Not exactly Australian but a cause close to my heart.......If ambition equated to success, then Tottenham Hotspur would be kings of Europe. After Martin Jol led England’s perennial under-achievers to successive 5th place finishes, and European football, the Dutchman paid the price for a poor start and a perception that he had taken the team as far as they could go. Sevilla’s impressive coach Juande Ramos steps into the fray. But what has he taken on?

Tradition has Spurs as one of England’s, and Europe’s great clubs. On the balance sheet, they are one of the worlds richest. But for the past 20 years, the club have been left behind on the field. And now Ramos is the latest to follow, Pleat, Venables, Shreeves, Livermore and Clemence, Ardiles, Francis, Gross, Hoddle, Santini and now Jol through the door, and bring success to White Hart Lane.

It’s a task that the decorated Spaniard may struggle with. Tottenham’s squad is without doubt hugely talented featuring the likes of Berbatov, Keane, Defoe, Lennon, King and Chimbonda; players who wouldn’t look out of place at any other team in the Premiership. No, the problem is in the application. Tottenham’s team is perceived as lightweight; lacking in heart; too easily beaten. This is going to be Ramos biggest task. To make the players believe they can win.

Make no mistake, there will be no hiding place; no more armchair rides for favourites from the previous regime. Players who don’t perform, and don’t show the inclination to change will not last too long under Ramos. Historically a coach who does things his way, Ramos first task is to ensure his squad are fit. Then he will get to work on the training ground getting across his football philosophy. Set Piece defending will also be high on the agenda, after 42 set piece goals conceded by Jol’s Spurs in 47 games.

The fans have responded to Ramos well. Jol was a hugely popular figure, and will always be remembered with affection. The perception is he was more sinned against than sinned. The real ire of the crowd is being directed at chairman Daniel Levy for his handling of the Jol affair. There’s no questioning Levy’s financial commitment to Spurs, but his man management skills, and football acumen are often called into question. The almost constant takeover talk hangs heavy over a chairman many feel is “Fattening” up the club ready for a big sale.

For Levy, the appointment of Ramos may well be the last throw of the dice. If the man who transformed Sevilla into trophy winning title contenders can’t produce the same trick at Spurs, then I suspect neither man will be in North London for too long.