Spurs close in on Villas-Boas

Andre Villas-Boas is close to being appointed Tottenham's new manager.

Press Association Sport understands former Chelsea boss Villas-Boas could even be installed as Harry Redknapp's successor within the next 24 hours.

Reports indicate Villas-Boas is on the brink of signing a four-year contract worth £16million.

It has been suggested Villas-Boas is prepared to forgo a potential £11million pay-off from Chelsea to take charge of their London rivals.

The Blues reportedly have been continuing to pay the 34-year-old Portuguese since sacking him in March, just eight months into a three-year contract.

Tim Sherwood looks set to be promoted to director of football at Spurs, with the 43-year-old one of few members of their coaching staff to survive the axe following Redknapp's departure last month.

Tottenham are said to have sought assurances from Villas-Boas that he had learnt the mistakes that led to his Chelsea downfall.

Jose Mourinho's former assistant was dogged by claims of player unrest during his ill-fated tenure at Stamford Bridge.

Villas-Boas arguably tried to change too much, too soon in pursuit of billionaire Blues owner Roman Abramovich's dream of getting the team to play more like Barcelona.