People love to criticise or mock Tim Sherwood. He has confidence, which some might see as a cockiness.

As a manager he’s still finding his feet and many ask why he’s in charge of a English Premier League (EPL) side, considering he still doesn’t hold the relevant qualifications. Others feel he should have worked in the lower leagues first and learned his craft there.

But Sherwood is his own man and has done things his way.

When the former Tottenham star arrived back at White Hart Lane in 2008, he took on various roles from assistant first-team coach to Technical director. In these jobs he saw how the club was run from the grassroots up.

Then late in 2013, Tim took-over from Andre Villas-Boas as head coach at Spurs.

He’d accepted an eighteen month deal but was ousted after just six months, when Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy decided to exercise a clause in the contract that meant that they could part ways at the end of the season.

It’s hard to truly evaluate Sherwood’s tenure at Spurs.

The club secured a top six finish, ahead of Manchester United and in his twenty-two league games in charge, Tim enjoyed a respectable 59% win rate (the best win ratio of any Spurs boss in EPL history).

The fact that they were ten points behind Arsenal, who had finished in the last Champions League spot, didn’t look great. Especially when the points gap actually became greater after Sherwood’s arrival.

The manager seemed very hit or miss with his squad. He’d be fully supported by half of his charges, while he seemed to struggle to gain the respect from the rest. The forty-six year old would blame this on the fact he was considered just the ‘Supply Teacher‘.

The fans also seemed split on what Tim offered them. Many liked him but just as many didn’t take to his antics on the touchline or in the press room.

Personally I could see why Levy got rid of Sherwood. His brashness and honesty may have made endeared him to the media but could also be divisive in the dressing room. I also think the Spurs chairman believed he had Louis van Gaal coming in,  before deciding to sack his current boss. That made it too difficult for Sherwood to stay. Levy would’ve then looked at Mauricio Pochettino at Southampton and thought the grass was greener.

In fairness to the Argentine, I think he’s done well with the squad he has at his disposal. But is that better than what Tim would have done? I am not 100% sure.

It was obviously a huge blow for the young English boss, who at the time said…

“It is obviously a massive wrench to leave a club of the stature of Tottenham Hotspur, a club very close to my heart.”

But he didn’t rush in and join the first club that offered him his next chance at management. He reportedly turned down offers from West Brom, Crystal Palace and QPR as he searched for a job that could whet his appetite.

In the end the opportunity to takeover at struggling giants Aston Villa was just the chance Sherwood had been waiting for.

Since taking over the Villains on Valentines day, he has galvanised the whole club.

In their last six Premier League fixtures; Villa have won three, drawn two and lost twice. Those results have propelled the club out of the relegation zone and now sees them six points ahead of those dreaded last three places. He’s also helped guide his side into the last four of the FA Cup, Wembley awaits next week.

The main improvement has been just to lift the mood and the squad’s morale. Villa are now creating chances and that has seen Christian Benteke return to form (he’s scored eight in his last six outings).

Yesterday, Sherwood returned to White Hart Lane, for the first time since his sacking in the summer. He enjoyed the occasion as his Aston Villa side outperformed and out-fought his former team.

They eventually won 1-0, with Benteke again the match winner.

At the final whistle, Sherwood was clearly jubilant. Obviously his club had claimed a massive three points, that saw them climb further away from trouble. That in itself would have been seen as a huge relief.

But you also get the feeling that it meant more to the manager because it was against Tottenham Hotspur and it was at White Hart Lane. It was as if the result vindicated him as worthy of managing a Premier League club.

For all the mocking he’s received since becoming a gaffer, Sherwood has actually done two decent jobs at Spurs and Villa.

That said, he still needs to prove himself over a longer period. It will be interesting to see what he can do in a full season, what players he brings in and get a preseason under his belt.

But no matter what happens next, Tim Sherwood deserved to celebrate his teams victory yesterday. It was his best answer to all the doubter out there!

Posted on April 12th, 2015 by scott
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