Spurs take a shine to Van Gaal's vision for the future as Levy prepares for summer bid



Tottenham have held talks with Dutch national team manager Louis van Gaal about the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach taking a senior role at White Hart Lane after next summer’s World Cup.

Spurs appointed Tim Sherwood as head coach only last week, handing him an 18-month contract as a successor to Andre Villas-Boas.



But The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Van Gaal is ready to quit his job as Holland’s coach and is anticipating a move to London afterwards. Sources say Van Gaal had in-depth discussions with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy last week about his vision for the club and it is understood Levy was impressed with what he heard.



Wanted: Holland coach Louis van Gaal could leave his position after the World Cup, opening up the chance of Tottenham poaching him for a position at White Hart Lane

Sherwood will be given his chance to show what he can do in the main role between now and the end of this season.

Spurs will then decide whether Van Gaal, 62, will come to the club alongside him, with Sherwood retaining his ‘head coach’ title, or whether the Dutchman will take overall control while Sherwood stays on in a different capacity.

Sherwood has insisted that he is not worried about one of football’s biggest names replacing him as Tottenham’s head coach because he has already seen off high-profile rivals to get the job in the first place.

Foreseeable future: Tim Sherwood has been given an 18-month contract by Daniel Levy

‘I am not sure how many applicants they [Tottenham] got but I’m sure it wasn’t just a couple,’ said Sherwood, whose side play Stoke at White Hart Lane on Sunday. ‘

Those managers would be available now and they are bigger names and more experienced management names than

me. The board made their decision and I am grateful for that.

‘He [Levy] looked at the way I wanted to play and I was as honest as I can be. I didn’t go in there thinking, “Whatever he wants to hear that’s what I’m going to tell him.” I told him, “This is the way I see the game going forward.”



Failed partnership: Levy had enough of Spurs form under Andre Villas-Boas

‘An 18-month contract wasn’t a deal breaker. It was the offer that came and I was pleased to accept it. Is it a big show of faith from the board? Yes, and I congratulate them for it.’



Sherwood, 44, has presided over only six training sessions ahead of Sunday's game but he is adamant that his confidence will rub off on his players as he looks to take on Stoke.



‘It’s like a whirlwind, the games are coming thick and fast. I haven’t had time to breathe really,’ said Sherwood. ‘Of course it’s tough, no one said it was going to be easy. I am confident. ‘I have always been a confident person and I need to have that belief.

' Hopefully that breeds into the players.’