Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino is in advanced talks with Tottenham to become their next manager.
Pochettino was installed as favourite for the Spurs job following Tim Sherwood's sacking earlier this month.
Sherwood only signed an 18-month contract in December but Spurs informed him as early as April he would not be retained next season.
Sherwood defeated Pochettino twice whilst in charge of Tottenham
Pochettino replaced Nigel Adkins, Southampton's most successful post-war manager, in January 2013 and led them to a Premier League-best eighth in the table this season.
Frank de Boer has managed Ajax to four consecutive Eredivisie titles and was also linked with the Tottenham job, however it appears Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has chosen a manager with Premier League experience in Pochettino.
Spurs spent over £100 million on seven players last summer under former coach André Villas-Boas, but the 6-0 and 5-0 autumn humiliations at the hands of Manchester City and Liverpool signalled the end for the prickly Portuguese.
Over the course of his 28 games in charge, replacement Sherwood won 14, yet his candour alienated several players and his archaic tactics drew criticism. Spurs lost 5-1 to City at home, 4-0 at Chelsea and Liverpool, but were unlucky to lose 1-0 against north London rivals Arsenal.
Eventually, Sherwood guided Tottenham to a sixth-place finish and secured Europa League qualification.
Tim Sherwood: 25 pictures of the Tottenham manager
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland - Premier League(01 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 07: Emmanuel Adebayor of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his second goal with Tim Sherwood (R), manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Chris Ramsey during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on April 7, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland - White Hart Lane(02 of25)
Tottenham Hotspur's manager Tim Sherwood looks at a video monitor (credit:PA)
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland - Premier League(03 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 07: Tim Sherwood, manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks dejected during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on April 7, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland - Premier League(04 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 07: Tim Sherwood, manager of Tottenham Hotspur gives the thumbs up during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on April 7, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland - Premier League(05 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 07: Tim Sherwood, manager of Tottenham Hotspur gives instructions during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on April 7, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur FC Training and Press Conference(06 of25)
LISBON, PORTUGAL - MARCH 19: The Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood attends a press conference on the eve of their UEFA Europa League round of 16 second leg match against Benfica at Estadio da Luz on March 19, 2014 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal - Premier League(07 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Tim Sherwood manager of Tottenham Hotspur vents his frustrations on the touchline during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane on March 16, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Tottenham Hotspur's English manager Tim Sherwood (R) speaks with Benfica's coach Jorge Jesus (L) during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Benfica at White Hart Lane in north London, on March 13, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chelsea's Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho (R) shakes hands with Tottenham Hotspur's English manager Tim Sherwood during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge in London, on March 8, 2014. AFP PHOTO / OLLY GREENWOODRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read OLLY GREENWOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Tottenham Hotspur's English head coach Tim Sherwood (L) greets Cardiff City's Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (R) before the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Cardiff City at White Hart Lane in north London on March 2, 2014. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALLRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-EUR-C3-TOTTENHAM-DNIPRO(11 of25)
Tottenham Hotspur's English manager Tim Sherwood (R) gestures to French referee Antony Gautier during the UEFA Europa League round of 32, 2nd leg, football match between Tottenham Hotspur and FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk at White Hart Lane in north London on February 27, 2014. Tottenham won the game 3-1, (3-2 on aggregate). AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTON (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Tottenham Hotspur's English Manager Tim Sherwood celebrates at the final whistle in the UEFA Europa League round of 32, 2nd leg, football match between Tottenham Hotspur and FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk at White Hart Lane in north London on February 27, 2014. Tottenham won the game 3-1, (3-2 on aggregate). AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTON (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-EUR-C3-TOTTENHAM-DNIPRO(13 of25)
Tottenham Hotspur's English Manager Tim Sherwood celebrates at the final whistle in the UEFA Europa League round of 32, 2nd leg, football match between Tottenham Hotspur and FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk at White Hart Lane in north London on February 27, 2014. Tottenham won the game 3-1, (3-2 on aggregate). AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTON (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur FC v FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk - UEFA Europa League Round of 32(14 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 27: Tim Sherwood manager of Tottenham Hotspur (R) has words with Referee Antony Gautier during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 second leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk at White Hart Lane on February 27, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League(15 of25)
NORWICH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: Manager Tim Sherwood of Tottenham Hotspur gives instructions from the touchline during the Barclays Premier League match between Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur at Carrow Road on February 23, 2014 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-NEWCASTLE-TOTTENHAM(16 of25)
Tottenham Hotspur's English manager Tim Sherwood gestures from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park in Newcastle Upon Tyne, northeast England, on February 12, 2014. AFP PHOTO / LINDSEY PARNABYRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-NEWCASTLE-TOTTENHAM(17 of25)
Tottenham Hotspur's English manager Tim Sherwood gestures from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park in Newcastle Upon Tyne, northeast England, on February 12, 2014. AFP PHOTO / LINDSEY PARNABYRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace - Premier League(18 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Tim Sherwood, manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane on January 11, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur - FA Cup Third Round(19 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 04: Tim Sherwood the Tottenham manager looks on during the Budweiser FA Cup match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on January 4, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-TOTTENHAM(20 of25)
Tottenham Hotspur's English manager Tim Sherwood reacts on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. Tottenham won 2-1. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-TOTTENHAM(21 of25)
Manchester United's Scottish manager David Moyes (L) returns the ball back past Tottenham Hotspur's English manager Tim Sherwood (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on January 1, 2014. Tottenham won 2-1. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-TOTTENHAM-WEST BROM(22 of25)
Tottenham Hotspur's English Manager Tim Sherwood gestures during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion at White Hart Lane in north London on December 26, 2013. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-SOUTHAMPTON-TOTTENHAM(23 of25)
Tottenham Hotspur's English interim manager Tim Sherwood gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on December 22, 2013. Tottenham won 3-2. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRKRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-SOUTHAMPTON-TOTTENHAM(24 of25)
Tottenham Hotspur's English interim manager Tim Sherwood shouts from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on December 22, 2013. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRKRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United - Capital One Cup Quarter-Final(25 of25)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 18: Tim Sherwood interim manager of Tottenham Hotspur gives instructions during the Capital One Cup Quarter-Final match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at White Hart Lane on December 18, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)