Jan Vertonghen Ajax Farewell ceremony ; pictures included.

[Spurs in Belgium]

Ha ha...er...slightly different attitude to ours re departing stars

Can't believe we didn't do something like this for Campbell, he had been with us for years!

 

[Lufti]

Ha ha...er...slightly different attitude to ours re departing stars

I think Ajax fans recognised that he was going off to a better team in a better league and so couldn't complain too much. Modric on the other hand was clearly just going for the money, why else would you go to a small club like Real Madrid?

 

[bigpalacios]

I think Ajax fans recognised that he was going off to a better team in a better league and so couldn't complain too much. Modric on the other hand was clearly just going for the money, why else would you go to a small club like Real Madrid?

Better selection of cheese.

 

[kaz Hirai]

I think Ajax fans recognised that he was going off to a better team in a better league and so couldn't complain too much. Modric on the other hand was clearly just going for the money, why else would you go to a small club like Real Madrid?

we wouldnt have minded so much if he didnt go about it like such a shit.

Im sure Jan didnt publicly say that it was his dream to play for such a big club like Feyenoord, sulk and refuse to play until the window closed, put in a few half assed performances. Then sulk again the following summer before joining tottenham

 

[$hoguN]

Amazing. What a great club.

We obviously didn't do it for Berbatov or Modric. Can't see us doing it for Bale either.

The circumstances were very different. We have done it for Ledley King since he retired and if I remember correctly Robbie Keane.

 

[Gbspurs]

The circumstances were very different. We have done it for Ledley King since he retired and if I remember correctly Robbie Keane.

Pretty sure if we see Rafa back for Ledders testimonial he would get this sort of attention.

 

[StartingPrice]

I think Ajax fans recognised that he was going off to a better team in a better league and so couldn't complain too much. Modric on the other hand was clearly just going for the money, why else would you go to a small club like Real Madrid?

TBH, Lewis, it was never, ever the case that Spurs fans were just showing a massive amount of hubris at Modric because he wanted to go to a better team with more chance of winning things.

Personally, when we signed Modric, there was never any doubt in my mind that he would be a star with us, and if we kept him for three years and then made a profit I would be happy enough (just so long as we didn't sell him to united, and preferably not to another club in the EPL). We had him for more than three years, sold him at a considerable profit and not to a club in the EPL, (not to mention an agreement with Real Madrid on a club partnership as part of the bargain, and, as Daniel Levy was the one pushing for that and the Real board were somewhat reluctant, and only granted it when they really needed the deal to happen and had to give concessions, I just do not believe it is a charter for Real to shaft us). So there is absolutely zero reason for me to be even remotely peeved by my own prior statement.

The problem is that Modric signed a six year contract, at increased wages, and the next Summer gave various statements that he was happy where he was - and a few weeks later gave an interview, out of the blue and without informing the club, making it very clear that he had been tapped up by Chelsea and worded in such a way as to show that he had been plotting to leave. He then issued statements about a gentleman's agreement that seem a bit lame to me - as if Levy would let him earn more money while he pimped around for a new club. Further, he did it with Chelsea, a team he knew to be our bitter rivals, and a club we were trying to replace in the top 4. Just to compound matters, he then, basically refused to play. When he eventually did appear, I felt like his performances tailed off in teh final third of the season.

Most of us accepted that last season would be his last in a Spurs shirt, and, by-and-large, he was supported in that final season - only for him to repeat the refusing to play trick this Summer. What that did, in effect, was aided Real Madrid in their negotiating stance. It is a personal point of principle of mine, but I just flat out do not believe any player, ever, should be able to help his prospective employers to potential reduce the price they have to pay to his current players for his services.

It has zero to do with him wanting to further his career, join a better club or what not, because, like I said, we got more out of him than I thought we would when we bought him. And I am sure he was horribly advised by some some sweaty-palmed money grabber(s). I am capable of rationalising that at his age, coming into (such a short time for any player) it would be less easy for him to believe we would be in the position to win major trophies in the next year or two, than it would for a much younger player. But even still, his behaviour left a worse taste in the mouth than simply moving needed to be, IMHO.

 

[Lufti]

TBH, Lewis, it was never, ever the case that Spurs fans were just showing a massive amount of hubris at Modric because he wanted to go to a better team with more chance of winning things.

Personally, when we signed Modric, there was never any doubt in my mind that he would be a star with us, and if we kept him for three years and then made a profit I would be happy enough (just so long as we didn't sell him to united, and preferably not to another club in the EPL). We had him for more than three years, sold him at a considerable profit and not to a club in the EPL, (not to mention an agreement with Real Madrid on a club partnership as part of the bargain, and, as Daniel Levy was the one pushing for that and the Real board were somewhat reluctant, and only granted it when they really needed the deal to happen and had to give concessions, I just do not believe it is a charter for Real to shaft us). So there is absolutely zero reason for me to be even remotely peeved by my own prior statement.

The problem is that Modric signed a six year contract, at increased wages, and the next Summer gave various statements that he was happy where he was - and a few weeks later gave an interview, out of the blue and without informing the club, making it very clear that he had been tapped up by Chelsea and worded in such a way as to show that he had been plotting to leave. He then issued statements about a gentleman's agreement that seem a bit lame to me - as if Levy would let him earn more money while he pimped around for a new club. Further, he did it with Chelsea, a team he knew to be our bitter rivals, and a club we were trying to replace in the top 4. Just to compound matters, he then, basically refused to play. When he eventually did appear, I felt like his performances tailed off in teh final third of the season.

Most of us accepted that last season would be his last in a Spurs shirt, and, by-and-large, he was supported in that final season - only for him to repeat the refusing to play trick this Summer. What that did, in effect, was aided Real Madrid in their negotiating stance. It is a personal point of principle of mine, but I just flat out do not believe any player, ever, should be able to help his prospective employers to potential reduce the price they have to pay to his current players for his services.

It has zero to do with him wanting to further his career, join a better club or what not, because, like I said, we got more out of him than I thought we would when we bought him. And I am sure he was horribly advised by some some sweaty-palmed money grabber(s). I am capable of rationalising that at his age, coming into (such a short time for any player) it would be less easy for him to believe we would be in the position to win major trophies in the next year or two, than it would for a much younger player. But even still, his behaviour left a worse taste in the mouth than simply moving needed to be, IMHO.

Ah Pricey - don't worry, I'm fully aware of this, I was just making a joke above ^. Yeah, the way he acted was completely out of order, refusing to train in particular being the real kick in the teeth (though I do think it was quite out of character from him and he'd been badly advised, most likely by his agent). Berbatov too was a disgrace, but like you say, at least he went abroad for a healthy sum. Though none of this is to say I wouldn't take him back in a heartbeat. But alls well that ends well, after all, if he hadn't left I might not have signed, and then what you do huh?

 

[AngerManagement]

Vertonghen didn't force his move against the clubs wishes

If we had been happy to sell Berba or Modric then I am sure they would have got that sort of send off

It's before my time but I remember seeing the big match recording of Spurs vs Oxford Utd for Hoddle's last game and the atmosphere in the crowd seemed very much one of thank you and good luck to a Spurs legend off to make his money abroad with a move to end his career

I'm sure if Modric and Berbatov left the clubs on amicable terms like Vertonghen left Ajax it would have been the same

 

[Leachie]

Can't believe we didn't do something like this for Campbell, he had been with us for years!

Oh, we gave him a reception alright....

 

[stemark44]

Vertonghen didn't force his move against the clubs wishes

If we had been happy to sell Berba or Modric then I am sure they would have got that sort of send off

It's before my time but I remember seeing the big match recording of Spurs vs Oxford Utd for Hoddle's last game and the atmosphere in the crowd seemed very much one of thank you and good luck to a Spurs legend off to make his money abroad with a move to end his career

I'm sure if Modric and Berbatov left the clubs on amicable terms like Vertonghen left Ajax it would have been the same

Yeah but when they asked to leave,we wouldn't let them.

 

[Misfit]

Waddle & Gazza were hardly chased away by a mob either.

You do things the right way, even if unpopular, you tend not to be viewed as a douche. You act like a toddler not getting his way and well, you're viewed as a childish prick. Hardly specific to the bubble of professional sports.

 

[AngerManagement]

Yeah but when they asked to leave,we wouldn't let them.

I know but regardless this made circucumstances different to Vertonghen's

 

[Misfit]

Yeah but when they asked to leave, we wouldn't let them.

Did we not? We should get them in the team pronto then if they're still around.

Oh you mean we should have held the door open for them and accepted the pittance that yanited and Chelsea first offered us. Yep, we were right bastards.

 

[Misfit]

I know but regardless this made circucumstances different to Vertonghen's

Much more so in the fact that the worst thing Jan threatened to do was to see his contract out and give his all until then. Almost like an adult or something. Very odd behaviour for a footballer.

There's no comparison here really.

 

[stemark44]

Much more so in the fact that the worst thing Jan threatened to do was to see his contract out and give his all until then. Almost like an adult or something. Very odd behaviour for a footballer.

There's no comparison here really.

Oh you mean like Sol Campbell.

 

[Liquidator]

Ha ha...er...slightly different attitude to ours re departing stars

Yeah, not sure I remember such a ceremony for our defenders...

 

[Liquidator]

Much more so in the fact that the worst thing Jan threatened to do was to see his contract out and give his all until then. Almost like an adult or something. Very odd behaviour for a footballer.

There's no comparison here really.

I gather the PFA have already had him in for a warning talk. Setting an example like that could have fans expecting all kinds of behaviours.

 

[Misfit]

Oh you mean like Sol Campbell.

I'll be kind here and assume you're playing dumb. /stern look

 

[stemark44]

Basically you are saying that everything is fine as long as every player leaves Spurs on our terms,sound about right?