EPL:David Moyes may replace Tim Sherwood at Tottenham

David Moyes being considered by
Tottenham as possible successor to
Tim Sherwood
However, senior figures at the club
are divided over the former
Manchester United manager
By STAFF , JAMES OLLEY
Thursday 24 April 2014
Just days after being sacked by
Manchester United, David Moyes is
emerging as a credible contender to be
the next Tottenham manager.
However, according to the Evening
Standard, senior figures are White Hart
Lane are divided over his suitability
following his dismal short reign at Old
Trafford.
Tottenham were strongly linked with a
move for Moyes while the Scot was still
in charge at Everton and it's understood
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy remains a
keen admirer of the 50-year-old Scot.
When Harry Redknapp left White Hart
Lane Moyes was in contention before
Andre Villas-Boas was appointed.
Moyes was sacked by Manchester United
on Tuesday after less than 10 months in
charge but is thought to be open to a
quick return to management in a bid to
restore his damaged reputation.
Spurs will replace Tim Sherwood this
summer and are weighing up their
options. A key factor is the financial
implications of any appointment, with the
club pressing ahead in their plans to
build a new stadium.
Louis van Gaal has been considered the
front-runner for some time and Spurs
would not have to pay any compensation
to sign the Dutchman because he will be
a free agent after the World Cup when
his contract ends with Holland.
However, it is thought Van Gaal would
command a much bigger salary than
Moyes and Spurs are mindful of making a
large financial commitment at a time
when stadium expansion costs will rise
considerably.
Moyes has worked within a limited
budget at Everton and has a track record
prior to his time at United of extracting
excellent value from the transfer market.
Once his compensation package is agreed
with United, the Scot will be available to
join another club for nothing.
Van Gaal's CV is striking but he is
considered an egotistical character by
many within the game and the dignity
with which Moyes conducted himself
throughout his ordeal at Old Trafford has
impressed some in north London.
There is also a concern at Spurs that they
are behind United in the pecking order of
selecting a new manager - Van Gaal
would prefer a move to the Premier
League champions and Spurs do not want
to be kept waiting or be seen as a back-
up option to prospective candidates.
Bookmakers this morning slashed the
odds on Moyes ending up at White Hart
Lane. However, it is believed that there is
not universal support for a pursuit of
Moyes among the Tottenham hierarchy.
Some are concerned that he was unable
to keep United in the top four, while
Roberto Martinez's impressive first season
at Goodison Park has cast further doubt
on Moyes's own ability to deliver
Champions League football.
There are also reservations over Moyes's
conservative brand of football, which
attracted much criticism at United. Other
possible alternatives include Southampton
boss Mauricio Pochettino, who has just
one year left on his current deal, and
Rafa Benitez, who is thought to be keen
on returning to the Premier League and
is currently stalling over signing a new
deal at Napoli.
Martinez offered words of support for
Moyes. "There has been a lot of talk over
the matter," he said.
"It is not a nice situation when a manager
loses his job. We know Moyes will look
forward to the next football chapter and
the next experience.
"He is a strong man with a winning
mentality and I am sure he will bounce
back straight away.
"He has ensured he will be ready to get
into another job as quick as he can. He
won't have the lack of opportunities."
Meanwhile, Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris
admitted the club have had a poor
season. The France captain said: "It will
be difficult to do worse [next season],
especially against the top four or five
teams.
"This season we had sometimes the
feeling that we gave up. We can't allow
this kind of behaviour. We have to show
more character."