Frank de Boer has rejected an approach from Tottenham to be their manager.

It was reported in Holland today that technical director Franco Baldini has already made an enquiry for the former Holland defender but has been told he is committed to Ajax.

De Boer signed a four-year contract in the summer and even if he was to have a change of heart the former Ajax player would certainly not leave the club mid season.

The news is a blow to Spurs, who sacked Andre Villas-Boas on Monday and crashed out of the Capital One Cup last night, losing 2-1 to West Ham.

It is understood that Baldini saw De Boer as the man to revive Spurs, having impressed since taking over at Ajax in 2010.

The club are in contention to win their fourth Dutch championship in a row and beat Barcelona last month, although they just missed out on a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Spurs duo Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen have spoken in the past about how much they enjoyed playing under De Boer and he has a reputation for playing entertaining football and doing well with younger players.

Tim Sherwood is in temporary charge of the team and Spurs could leave him in the role until the summer and then make a new approach for De Boer.

Liverpool invited the 43-year-old for an interview when they were looking for a coach in the summer of 2012 but he also turned them down.

Sherwood is unsure if he wants the job but was expected to meet with chairman Daniel Levy today to talk about the situation.

He said: “I don’t know if I’ll be Spurs boss. I haven’t spoken to the chairman. We have to have a chat and see. It has to fit me and the club.”

Villas-Boas was sacked by Levy after just 18 months in charge as he paid the price for a string of poor results, culminating in a humiliating 5-0 reverse to Liverpool on Sunday.