• Premier League

Tottenham considering move for Moyes

ESPN staff
April 24, 2014
Spurs legend Jurgen Klinsmann believes Moyes was harshly treated

Tottenham are considering replacing Tim Sherwood with recently sacked Manchester United manager David Moyes, according to the London Evening Standard.

Following a disastrous first 10 months in charge, United finally lost patience with Moyes and dismissed the Scot on Tuesday. Ryan Giggs has been backed as interim manager while the club look for a permanent successor, with recent Spurs target Louis van Gaal reported to be top of their list.

Tottenham sacked Andre Villas-Boas in December and replaced him with Tim Sherwood, but the former midfielder's future at White Hart Lane is far from certain. Sherwood, who was appointed on an 18-month deal, is facing an end-of-season performance review and, while the club insist there is nothing sinister about the meeting, a failure to secure Champions League football could seal his fate.

One last dubious record for Moyes

David Moyes was sacked on Tuesday © Getty Images
  • In a fitting final blow, David Moyes' sacking ensures this is the first season in which 10 Premier League managers have left their clubs before the end of the season.
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Furthermore, Sherwood was heavily criticised by the club's travelling fans after he chose to watch his side's shambolic 4-0 defeat at Liverpool from the directors' box.

The 45-year old later accepted there would always be a degree of uncertainty surrounding his job, but a recent clash over the fitness of Erik Lamela and labelling his squad a "much of a muchness" will not have helped his cause - particularly after the club invested over £100 million on players last summer.

The newspaper claims chairman Daniel Levy still holds Moyes in high regard despite his calamitous tenure at United, where he replaced the club's most successful manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Moyes was thought to be on Levy's shortlist to replace Harry Redknapp in 2012, before the arrival of Villas-Boas.

The key issue for Tottenham, though, is financing another permanent appointment, particularly with the club keen on building a new stadium. Van Gaal, who is set to leave his post as Netherlands boss after this summer's World Cup, would command no fee, while Moyes would also be free to join another club once United agree his severance package.

However, Tottenham are thought to be divided over whether Moyes would be the right fit for them. His failure to deliver Champions League football at United, a first for the club in 19 years, combined with Roberto Martinez's success at Everton has cast doubt across the club's hierarchy.

Odds on Moyes, who Martinez has tipped to bounce back, to be named next Tottenham manager have been slashed, though; the Scot is now 11/2 second favourite to be named their next permanent manager, with Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino the current favourite with the bookies.

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