The Tim Sherwood experiment at Tottenham Hotspur is set to come to an end, with Louis van Gaal tapped to take over at the end of the World Cup.
Van Gaal, 62, took over as Netherlands manager after the country’s disastrous run in Euro 2012. With van Gaal at the helm, Holland went unbeaten in their 2014 World Cup qualifying group, winning nine and drawing one. The Flying Dutchmen hope for a performance much more in line with South Africa, in which they were runners-up, than their dismal showing in Poland/Ukraine.
However, Holland’s performance in Brazil likely won’t impact van Gaal’s future. Guus Hiddink has already been lined up to take his place at the conclusion of the tournament. And now, it seems, a deal is in place for him to take over at Spurs.
Maybe. Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit told BBC 5 live: “I know for sure he was at Van Gaal’s house, the [Spurs] chairman. I think it’s a done deal, but you never know.”
The possibility certainly seems likely. Van Gaal himself recently admitted he’d like to coach in the Premier League. And Sherwood, well, he knows his 18-month contract could be cut short. The Tottenham boss said, “I am realistic enough to know this is a dress rehearsal. I am untried.”
Since Sherwood’s appointment in December, Spurs have won ten, drawn three and lost eight. That leaves the side in sixth, seven points off a Champions League spot and even in danger of losing out on Europe all together. Incidentally, when Tottenham gave André Villas-Boas the boot, they were in seventh, eight points back of Arsenal...in first.
So yes, Spurs are likely to be looking for Sherwood’s replacement. But this particular link may be tenuous at best.
