In perhaps the least surprising news of the week thus far, Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the departure of Tim Sherwood.
Having initially joined the club’s coaching staff under Harry Redknapp in 2008, the 45-year-old was earning a solid reputation for himself when he was appointed as first team coach in December 2013. This came in the wake of Andre Villas-Boas being sacked, after some heavy defeats placed the Portuguese under intense pressure.
But although Sherwood was given an 18-month contract, it was widely expected that he would be relieved of his duties if he failed to deliver a top-four finish. And a little under 48 hours after Tottenham beat Aston Villa to cement sixth position in the table, the Londoners have confirmed the inevitable departure of their former midfielder.
A statement from Daniel Levy read:
“We appointed Tim mid-season as someone who knew both the players and the club. We agreed an 18-month contract with a break clause at the end of the season and we have now exercised that option. Since appointing Tim as assistant first Team coach in 2008 and then as technical co-ordinator in 2010 and Head of Football Development in 2012, we have been supportive of him during football management changes throughout that period.
“On behalf of the club, I should like to state our thanks for all his efforts during his years with us. We wish him great success in his managerial career. Moving forward we shall embark on the process of finding a new head coach. We have a talented squad and exciting young players coming through. We need to build on this season, develop our potential and inspire the kind of performances that we associate with our great club.”
Sherwood becomes the second Premier League manager to lose his job since the final day of the season on Sunday afternoon, with Pepe Mel being shown the door by West Bromwich Albion on Monday. West Ham United are also believed to be considering the position of Sam Allardyce, who has lost the support of the Upton Park faithful.
When Sherwood’s future first came into question, it was thought that Spurs had set their sights on Luis van Gaal. However, the current Holland coach, who will become a free agent after the World Cup Finals, is now widely expected to be named the new Manchester United boss, which could even be confirmed within the next 24 hours.
Mauricio Pochettino, who has impressed since replacing Nigel Adkins at Southampton last season, is said to be a frontrunner for the Spurs job. Frank de Boer, the Ajax coach, has recently claimed he is also wanted by the White Hart Lane club, whilst former Liverpool and Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez, now of Napoli, is also a potential contender.
