Tottenham’s players have been told to shed yet more weight, under Ramos’s strict regime.

Tottenham face Slavia Prague tomorrow night in the UEFA Cup, but they are not carrying as much baggage as they were before Juande Ramos joined the club as manager.

Their fitness coach Marcos Alvarez spoke on Spanish radio yesterday, about the weight loss at White Hart Lane, “We realised straight away that the team was carrying excess baggage. They have now lost between 40 and 50kg. Getting the rest off is the most difficult part.”

Since Ramos joined Tottenham, the team have climbed from the relegation zone, up to 11th place in the league.

“At the start, the players complained as we were taking away the things they liked. But gradually they have understood that we have done it so they can improve. And as the results have improved they have realised that it is necessary”, said Alvarez.