Frank de Boer insists he is happy to remain in charge at Ajax after being approached by Tottenham Hotspur but will leave the Amsterdam club for a 'big challenge'.

The former Barcelona defender revealed in April that Spurs are keen to name him their new manager after the club failed to break into the Champions League under Tim Sherwood, who left the club last week.

While Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino remains firmly in the frame for the job at White Hart Lane, De Boer stellar record of four consecutive Eredivisie titles places him among the best young managers in the continent.

But having previously told the press he will listen to what Spurs have to offer, the 42-year-old insists he is in no great rush to leave.

"I am very happy here in Amsterdam," De Boer told Inside Futbol. "I will move only for a big challenge in a big club, where I have the possibility to plan for the future and test myself."

De Boer's history with Barcelona coupled with his impressive managerial exploits has also seen him linked with the now-vacant job at the Camp Nou following Gerardo Martino's departure over the weekend. However his former teammate Luis Enrique is now expected to take the job after stepping down as Celta Vigo manager.

The Ajax boss, who has previously admitted his desire to one day manage in the Premier League, has had no shortage of offers from England in the past. The Dutchman was previously approached by Liverpool following the dismissal of Kenny Dalglish two years ago as part of a four man shortlist until he made it known he had no desire to leave the Dutch capital.

"Every big club has many different options for the future," De Boer added. "For example, two years ago, Liverpool told me I was one of their four candidates. I replied to them that it was my intention to remain with Ajax."