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LONDON, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Juande Ramos has blamed the departure of key strikers Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane for the poor start to the season that led to his sacking at the weekend. The Spaniard was dismissed after a year in charge after Spurs made their worst start to a league season, taking just two points from their first eight matches to lie bottom of the Premier League.
In comments posted on his website (www.juanderamos.com), Ramos said the team had been unsettled by the exits of deadly strike duo Berbatov and Keane.
Berbatov joined champions Manchester United in September for 30.75 million pounds ($50 million), while Liverpool signed Keane for 19 million pounds in July.
"During the summer we had quite a difficult pre-season due to the changes in the team, which meant that we couldn't work as calmly as a pre-season requires," said Ramos, who has been replaced by Harry Redknapp.
"Some of the new players were very young, and despite their quality they needed time to adapt and mature, which unfortunately the intensity of the competition hasn't allowed them to do yet.
"When Robbie Keane and Berbatov left the club, it had a huge effect on the team as they were key players with regard to tactics, goal scoring abilities and also as team mates they had an important influence," he added.
"All this has led to a situation which I hope will change as soon as possible because the club and the fans deserve success."
He said he counted last season as a great success. Having taken over the club while they were in the relegation zone, he steered them to a mid-table finish, victory in the League Cup and qualification for the UEFA Cup. While Ramos accepted the club's decision to fire him, he found support from an unlikely ally -- manager of arch-rivals Arsenal, Arsene Wenger.
"I am very surprised it didn't work for Ramos and I feel sorry for him because I rate him as a coach and as a man," local media quoted Wenger as saying before Wednesday's north London derby.
"It takes time to get your ideas through. I understand Tottenham have to make decisions but you would want anyone to be given more than eight or nine games." (Reporting by Sonia Oxley; Editing by Justin Palmer)
