Tottenham took the gamble of confirming managerial novice Tim Sherwood as their new head coach on this day in 2013.

After Andre Villas-Boas was fired one week ago, Sherwood took over as Spurs first-team manager, but he had never led a team before.

Nevertheless, following one loss and one victory, the Tottenham board was quick to back Sherwood in his efforts to take the team further up the Premier League standings. The 44-year-old was hired with a deal that would expire at the conclusion of the 2014–15 campaign.

The north London club had been expected to challenge for a top-four finish after a heavy outlay over the summer, yet they sat seventh in the table and were four points adrift of the Champions League places.

Villas-Boas was dismissed a day after a demoralising 5-0 home defeat against Liverpool, while Tottenham had also shipped six goals at Manchester City.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy admitted he was loath to dispense with the services of Villas-Boas, but gave his backing to Sherwood, who played for the club as a midfielder from 1999 until 2003.

Levy told the club’s official website: “We were extremely reluctant to make a change mid-season, but felt we had to do so in the club’s best interests.

“We have a great squad and we owe them a head coach who will bring out the best in them and allow them to flourish and enjoy a strong, exciting finish to the season.

“We are in the fortunate position of having within our club a talented coach in Tim Sherwood. We believe Tim has both the knowledge and the drive to take the squad forward.”

Sherwood oversaw Tottenham finishing sixth in the table in the 2013-14 campaign before parting ways with the club two days later, with Levy saying in a statement: “We agreed an 18-month contract with a break clause at the end of the season and we have now exercised that option.”

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There’s More To Come From Him – Ange Postecoglou On Tottenham Star

Ange Postecoglou, the manager of Tottenham, feels that his team has not yet seen the best of midfielder Dejan Kulusevski, who has helped the Lilywhites get through a difficult time.

Ange Postecoglou, who is pleased with Dejan Kulusevski’s versatility, feels there is still more to come from the Tottenham Hotspur attacker.

The Tottenham boss has been forced to play several players out of position in recent weeks due to injuries to key players.

Kulusevski has been one, who has performed multiple roles on the pitch, sometimes playing down the wing and sometimes as an attacking midfielder.

 

Postecoglou has been pleased with what he has seen from Kulusevski and admits the attitude of players like him as helped Spurs to battle through a challenging period.

The Australian boss also believes that Kulusevski has not yet hit his peak as a player and there is more to come.

Asked at a press conference whether Tottenham have seen the best of Kulusevski the Tottenham manager said: “I hope not.

“I believe Deki has more to come; he’s still in his early twenties.”

He has filled a variety of roles for us, so I’ve been pretty happy with him.

“Those who have been willing to sort of take on multiple roles—like him, Ben Davies, and Emerson Royal—are some of the reasons we’re getting through this phase. These players have had to play different positions for us at different times.

“Deki has been a true impact player for us this season, regardless of position, whether that’s out wide…His playing inside provides us another dimension in terms of our offensive threats, which is why I really appreciate it.

Tottenham has begun preparing for the January transfer market, with the intention of acquiring a new center-back.