Juande Ramos has insisted that Tottenham Hotspur will not win the Premier League if they continue to chase "economic success" rather than on-pitch achievements under chairman Daniel Levy.

The Spaniard, who left his role as Spurs manager in 2008, believes that the club must abandon their policy of selling players for increased profit instead of targeting trophies.

"Spurs sold Gareth Bale in the summer and with the £86 million they have signed five or six players," Ramos told the Daily Mail. "They will see if any of those players take off and then maybe sell them on and reinvest - that's the business plan.

"City sign Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo. They don't look at the age of the player, they look at the performances. Spurs look at the age, thinking of a future sale.

"Why aren't Spurs going to win the league? Because they are always a small step below those three or four teams. Economically it works well but in sporting terms it needs a slight tuning. What are you chasing? Titles or economic success?"

Spurs have not won a major trophy since Ramos guided the team to glory in the League Cup in 2008.