In December 2013 the footballing world was graced with the genius that is Tim Sherwood. 'Tactics Tim' took control of Tottenham Hotspur and was given an 18-month contract following the sacking of André Villas-Boas.
Sherwood became something of an icon given his tendency for rambling post-match interviews and an obsession with win ratios.
For many his reign was marred by an inability to organise his side in big games. Under Sherwood, Spurs suffered a series of heavy one-sided losses; 5-1 against Man City, 4-0 against Chelsea, 4-0 against Liverpool and 2-0 against rivals West Ham.
However Sherwood has a different outlook on his reign, as he outlined in an interview with the Independent today:
I always knew I was only getting until the end of the season and my win percentage was 59 per cent – which is high. And when the guy they have now took over from me, it wasn’t broken. It was a steady ship and he has now added to it.
During his conversation with Journalist Luke Brown Sherwood "takes a sip of his corona" and describes his delight that Pochettino has built on the foundation he instilled:
I admire what he has done. I am just glad that after me somebody came in with the same mindset that I have, which is to give the kids an opportunity to go and play if they are good enough.
Sherwood was sacked at the end of that season with Spurs and briefly returned to management in 2015 with Aston Villa. That did not fare much better when after six months, a six game losing streak and 10 games without a win in-a-row he was sacked. He took a position with Swindon Town next as technical director but after seven months left his post when they were relegated from League two.
The highlight of his Swindon reign came when a transcript of his interaction with referee Mark Brown was released. Sherwood served a two-match ban for this:
After the half-time whistle, and as I was walking down the tunnel, Tim Sherwood of Swindon Town approached me and said: “you’re the only ****er in the ground that’s ****ing seen it, you ****ing mug."
He then started pointing aggressively in my face. I told him to calm down and stop pointing at me or he would be sitting in the stands for the second half.
He then continued: “I wasn’t even in the dugout, you ****ing mug, and you would be doing me a favour”.
I told him I wanted to speak to him at my dressing room but he ignored me and walked off towards the Swindon changing room.
I followed him and stood outside, and told the coaching staff I wanted Mr Sherwood to come outside as I needed to speak to him.
After approximately 45 seconds, Mr Sherwood walked out and walked past me, and I informed him that he would be reported for his comments towards me. His reply was: “**** off, you mug”.
I then entered my dressing room area and informed the stewards of my decision, and that if Mr Sherwood tried to come down into the technical area, he should not be allowed.
The full Independent interview is available here.
