Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood has launched a scathing attack on former employer Tottenham Hotspur, claiming the north London club told lies about sounding out other managers to replace him.
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Sherwood was eventually dismissed at the end of last season and replaced by Mauricio Pochettino, who left Southampton to take the helm at White Hart Lane.
He returned to football in February when he succeeded Paul Lambert at Villa Park and faces old club Spurs for the first time this weekend in the capital.
The Daily Mirror reports that Sherwood said: “It is not protocol. It is not what is done. But it is not up to the manager to make the decision, it is up to the club.
“Tottenham denied they made any contact with managers, but the managers were publicly coming out and saying they were being contacted. Someone was telling porkies.”
Sherwood heads back to his old club in the thick of a battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League. The thrilling 3-3 draw with fellow strugglers Queens Park Rangers at home did nothing to calm the tension as the season approaches its climax, and their hopes rest partly on the shoulders of rejuvenated striker Christian Benteke.
The Belgium international scored a hat-trick against QPR and will look to continue his impressive run of form against Spurs.