Tim Sherwood Slams Louis Van Gaal and Frank De Boer over Tottenham Job

Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood has responded to the apparent interest of Louis van Gaal and Frank de Boer in his job by pointing out they can’t be very happy in their own roles.

Sherwood’s current position at White Hart Lane is uncertain, with the former midfielder admitting “I don’t even know if top four gets me the job,” according to Matt Barlow of the Daily Mail.

His cause has not been helped by the public musings of van Gaal and de Boer, both of whom have expressed interest in the Tottenham post.

Sherwood’s response was to create a degree of ill-feeling with their current employers, pointing out that the Netherlands and Ajax—the respective teams of van Gaal and de Boer—should be aware that their coaches are looking elsewhere. Barlow carries the quotes:

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I don’t blame them. They just want to put themselves in the frame. Obviously, they’re not happy with the jobs they’re doing if they’re touting themselves for the Tottenham job.

It’s natural I suppose, it’s a big job, but I don’t think I’d ever tout myself about for job when someone was already in the hot-seat. If they want to do that, that’s up to them. I’m relaxed about it. But it wouldn’t be something I’d be doing.

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Sherwood is on an 18-month contract after filling the void created by Andre Villas-Boas’ departure, and he has made a positive start to life at White Hart Lane.

Spurs are currently challenging for a Champions League spot, three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Newcastle.

Only at home to Manchester City—when Spurs were beaten 5-1—has Sherwood looked out of his depth. However, that was the only league game he has lost since taking charge.

Victor R. Caivano/Associated Press

Both van Gaal and de Boer have claimed approaches have been made by Spurs for their services, the former insisting he will not perform two roles simultaneously, per Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express.

De Boer, meanwhile, was quoted by Barlow as saying: “Tottenham called my manager after sacking Villas-Boas but I said: ‘No, right now is not the right moment’.”

Peter Dejong/Associated Press

Both managers have excellent credentials. De Boer has won a hat-trick of Eredivisie titles and plays an attractive brand of football. Given the lack of depth in Dutch football, it is likely he is approaching a time when he can do little more for the club.

Van Gaal is vastly more experienced, having won league titles with Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. His CV would dwarf that of Sherwood, creating a difficult situation for the incumbent manager.

The Daily Mirror's John Cross is among those who believe Spurs will have a new leader next season:

Results will likely dictate Sherwood’s future. If he guides Spurs back to the Champions League, having added no new faces to those that flopped under Villas-Boas, it would be hard to justify his summer dismissal.

However, chairman Daniel Levy has demonstrated in the past with the departure of Harry Redknapp that he will not settle for Europa League football. Van Gaal, after his World Cup commitments, would appear a viable future option for Tottenham.