The man who treated elite footballers like Formula One cars

Countries & Cities · Published 13 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When Juande Ramos took over Tottenham Hotspur in 2008, he didn't just change the tactics; he overhauled the biology of the squad. He claimed his players were a collective 100 kg overweight and enforced a regime so strict it sparked internal rebellion.

Ramos’s tenure at Tottenham was defined by a radical physiological intervention. Upon arrival, he consulted with doctor Antonio Escribano, who compared the athletes to Formula One cars that required specific fuel to perform. To address what Ramos described as a 100 kg collective weight surplus, he implemented a draconian diet: eliminating all sugar, replacing fruit juices with water, and serving meat without any sauce. He initially joined the English club on a four-year deal worth £6 million per year. This followed his departure from Sevilla after winning two consecutive UEFA Cups.

The results were immediate but polarizing. By February 2009, the team's weight had reportedly halved. However, the 'drab' nature of the regime caused friction within the dressing room; striker Darren Bent noted that players began to turn on Ramos due to the restrictive food choices. Despite these internal tensions, Ramos led the club to a historic victory over Arsenal in 2008—the biggest win for either side in the North London derby since 1983—before being sacked less than 24 hours before a match against Bolton Wanderers. His first match in charge was a victory over Blackpool at White Hart Lane. He also masterminded a win against Manchester City while playing with only ten men for most of the game.

Ramos's career is marked by high-stakes volatility and significant achievements. He won the UEFA Cup twice with Sevilla (2005, 2006) and managed Real Madrid during a period where he secured 52 points out of 54 in 18 consecutive games. His journey also included a stint at CSKA Moscow, which lasted only 47 days, and a legal battle with Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk over unpaid wages that resulted in the club being banned from European competition. He previously managed Rayo Vallecano, where he set a record for points by a newly promoted team. His time in Ukraine ended because his family was reluctant to live there long-term.

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