SPURS insist they haven’t made an approach for a new manager amid speculation they are hoping for a swift appointment to replace Tim Sherwood at the end of the season.

Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino is second favourite with the bookmakers to land the Tottenham job with Frank De Boer at the head of the odds.

Ajax claimed on Tuesday that Tottenham had contacted them with a view to speaking to their manager De Boer.

Spurs said in a statement that any talk of an approach for De Boer was "wholly inaccurate”, although the club have said in recent weeks that they will review Sherwood's position as head coach at the end of the year.

There are widespread reports that Sherwood will be axed when the campaign ends, with a new manager quickly ushered into place.

Louis Van Gaal had been the favourite, but is now looking likely to take charge at Manchester United, while Massimo Allegri has also been widely linked.

It very much depends on whether Spurs choose to go down the route of a hot young talent or a track record of winning things.

Van Gaal has bagged titles around the world, De Boer with Ajax and Allegri in Italy. The three also have a better win percentage overall than Pochettino, who has yet to capture any silverware as a manager.

However, Pochettino is widely regarded as one of the brightest young coaches around and set to make that step up when handed the budget to do so.

Former Dutch international De Boer, though, is only a year older than the St Mary’s manager.

He has followed an illustrious playing career with a fine start to managerial life at Ajax, winning four successive titles with the famous club.

The former Barcelona defender has said he is open to speaking to Spurs.

“I’m going to think about this possibility after the last league fixture on May 3,” De Boer told Dutch media. “I’m going to talk and listen.

“I would like to add something to a club, that people can say they see the hand of Frank de Boer.”

Former Spurs star Ray Clemence feels it would be a shame for English coaches around the country if Sherwood was sacked 12 months before the end of his contract.

“That would not be good for English football,” Clemence said. “All of us that have been involved want to see as many English coaches and managers being involved at the top clubs.

“There is an obsession at the moment that foreign is better.

“But you just have to look at someone like Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool... he has done a fantastic job.”

Here, Echo Sport profiles the four men linked with the Tottenham job if Sherwood is sacked.

Louis Van Gaal Age: 62 Nationality: Netherlands Teams managed: Ajax (1991-97), Barcelona (1997-2000), Netherlands (2000-02), Barcelona (2002-03), AZ (2005-09), Bayern Munich (2009-11), Netherlands (2012-present) Honours: Ajax – Eredivisie 1993/94, 1994/95, 1995/96, KNVB Cup 1992/93, Johan Cruyff Shield 1993, 1994, 1995, Champions League 1994/95, UEFA Cup 1991/92, UEFA Super Cup 1995, Intercontinental Cup 1995. Barcelona – La Liga 1997/98, 1998/99, Cope del Rey 1997/98, UEFA Super Cup 1997. AZ Eredivisie 2008/09. Bayern Munich Bundeslgia 2009/10, DFB-Pokal 2009/10, DFB-Supercup 2010 Total managerial win %: (all competitions): 61.41% Frank De Boer Age: 43 Nationality: Netherlands Teams managed: Ajax (2010-present) Honours: Eredivisie 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, Johan Cruyff Shield 2013 Total managerial win %: 60.74% Mauricio Pochettino Age: 42 Nationality: Argentinian Teams managed: Espanyol (2009-12), Saints (2013-present) Honours: N/A Total managerial win %: 34.25% Massimo Allegri Age: 46 Nationality: Italian Teams managed: Aglianese (2203-04), Real SPAL (2004-05), Grosset (2006-06), Sassuolo (2007-08), Cagliari (2008-10), AC Milan (2010-14) Honours: Sassuolo – Serie C1 2007/08. AC Milan – Serie A 2010/11, Italian Cup 2011.

Total managerial win percentage: 42.50%