Spurs sack Ramos, Redknapp to take over

Tottenham Hotspur sacked manager Juande Ramos on Saturday and Portsmouth's Harry Redknapp said he would be taking charge of the English Premier League team.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Redknapp said he had accepted Tottenham's offer to become manager and Portsmouth would receive about 5 million pounds ($7.79 million) in compensation.

"It's a big opportunity for me to manage a big club before I retire," said the 61-year-old. "Until yesterday morning when I got the phone call (from Tottenham) I never thought I would ever leave.

"I won't pick the team for Sunday but it will all be sorted out tonight and I'll be there in the morning."

Tottenham, who are four points adrift at the foot of the table, face Bolton Wanderers at home on Sunday before visiting north London rivals Arsenal on Wednesday.

Spurs had said on their website (www.tottenhamhotspur.com) that Ramos, French sporting director Damien Comolli and Uruguayan assistant manager Gus Poyet, had left the club.

It added that Portsmouth had "reluctantly agreed" that Tottenham could hold discussions with Redknapp.

The trio paid the price for the worst start to a league campaign in the north London team's history.

Spurs have just two draws from their opening eight matches and in midweek lost 2-0 at Udinese in the UEFA Cup.

Spaniard Ramos was hired almost exactly a year ago after Tottenham sacked Martin Jol despite the Dutchman guiding the team to two straight fifth place finishes in the league.

Ramos made a good start to his Spurs career, taking them to the League Cup final where they beat Chelsea 2-1, the club's first silverware for nearly a decade.