Sevilla need the return of Juande Ramos

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Once upon a time in Spain, the words âÂÂSevilla are on the TV!â would clear the streets in microseconds as footie lovers of all shapes and sizes dashed off to see the most sensational side in the world strut their stuff.

This was especially so down in Andalusia, where the regionâÂÂs pride and joy rose from being football flops to goal-scoring Goliaths to become as popular as hand-clapping, wailing out of tune and bribing government officials.

Today, those very same words has millions of footie fans across the land groaning and reaching for their remotes to change channel and endure SpainâÂÂs six hour version of Strictly Come Dancing instead. The team that was once so, so exciting has become so, so soporific.


"Hold this a second mate, I've got lunch with Daniel Levy"

With Dani Alves and Antonio Puerta flying down the flanks, Seydou Keita and Christian Poulsen marshalling the midfield and Luis Fabiano and Freddie Kanouté fantastic up front, Sevilla were the most fun football side in the world.

But then the squad began to break apart with the end of days for SevillaâÂÂs superlative side being the acrimonious departure of Juande Ramos to Spurs in October 2007.

Tough-talking second team coach and former full back, Manolo Jiménez, took over and has fulfilled his obligations by leading his team to a 5th and 3rd place finish in his spell at the club.

But it has been a torturous experience to watch for supporters who haven't stopped calling for Jiménez' head to roll since he started.

Although Jiménez has a fine chance to lead Sevilla into the Champions League quarterfinals holding a 1-1 draw and an away goal advantage going into Tuesday nightâÂÂs clash against CSKA Moscow at the Sánchez Pizjuán, it is time to say âÂÂgraciasâ but âÂÂadiosâ to Manuel at the end of the campaign and make the controversial move to bring Juande Ramos back.


"Man alive, what have I let myself in for...?"

The vast majority of the increasingly stupefied Sevilla support would love to see Jiménez sent packing when his current contract expires, this summer. As club president José Maria del Nido has admitted, the complex relationship between the fans and the coach is worthy of a thesis.

Despite being a âÂÂcolourfulâ character, Jesus GilâÂÂs lawyer and someone facing a 14-year prison sentence for corruption, del Nido rules over a tremendously well run side that has a superb youth system and an astute selling policy that sees Sevilla as one of the few top flight clubs in sound financial straits.

There is a nucleus of another fine team in the current Sevilla ranks with Diego Capel, Diego Perotti and Jesús Navas already at the Sánchez Pizjuán and others such as Alvaro Alfaro ready to return home after a promising loan spell at Tenerife.


Might Navas, Fabiano and Capel benefit from the return of Juande?

Whilst time may up for Fredi Kanouté and Luis Fabiano due to age and ambitions to move on, there is talk that next seasonâÂÂs forward line-up will see Spanish international Alvaro Negredo alongside StuttgartâÂÂs Cacua.

Juande Ramos remains the sworn enemy of del Nido after his departure to Tottenham and fans welcomed him back to the Sánchez Pizjuán, last season, when he was manager of Real Madrid by waving âÂÂJuan Dollarâ notes.

Most importantly of all, Sevilla would be lead by someone who can make them sexy and sensational again, instead of the current dour, defensive version managed by Manolo Jiménez.

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