Next Tottenham manager: Experienced duo head-to-head

Despite stabilising the club since taking over the reins from Andre Villas-Boas, Tim Sherwood’s future as Tottenham Hotspur manager remains uncertain.

Former Spurs midfielder Sherwood has impressed in his first managerial job and was handed an 18-month contract to keep him at White Hart Lane when he took over in December.

Yet, speculation is rife that the 45-year-old will be replaced at the end of the season by a more experienced manager and two names - Louis Van Gaal and Cesare Prandelli - have dominated the rumour mill, but what do we know about them?

What’s the latest?
On Van Gaal:
Van Gaal’s Netherlands side are among the favourites for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He is out of contract after the tournament and it appears he is already looking for his next job. It’s believed Spurs approached Van Gaal before they appointed Sherwood and with his contract set to expire this summer, the Dutchman seems keen on a move to the Premier League. Click here to see how Tottenham could line up under Van Gaal.

On Prandelli:
Prandelli is also a reported target for Spurs chairman Daniel Levy. The Italian has managed his country for the last four years and it is believed the 56-year-old and the Italian FA will go their separate ways when the World Cup finishes. Spurs would be free to install him as their boss for the start of next season and Italy-based journalist Paddy Agnew told talkSPORT that Prandelli to Spurs could be a done deal.

Did you know?
Van Gaal:
1) In Van Gaal’s first managerial season in the 1991/92 season, the Dutchman guided his Ajax side to the UEFA Cup. He had been assistant coach at the Amsterdam club for half a decade before taking on the job and excelled in his debut campaign by beating Torino in an enthralling final on away goals.

2) The Dutchman’s most successful season came during the 1994/95 campaign. He won his second consecutive Eredivise title in 1995, when his Ajax side went the entire season unbeaten and in a team of stars including Patrick Kluivert, Dennis Bergkamp and Clarence Seedorf, Van Gaal then guided them to Champions League victory. By toppling Milan in the final, he brought memories of Ajax’s glittering past flooding back, and put his team in the same bracket as that legendary Johan Cruyff team that won three consecutive European Cups in the early 70s.

3) Following successful but turbulent stints at Barcelona either side of the turn of the century, Van Gaal moved to Bayern Munich in 2009 via AZ Alkmaar. The Dutchman continued the success and guided the German club to a domestic double in 2010, but Van Gaal’s Bayern were criticised for failing to win a treble when they succumbed to Jose Mourinho’s Inter in the 2010 Champions League final. The following spring, the manager was sacked as his Bayern side languished in fourth place and struggled to qualify for the Champions League.

Prandelli:
1) Prandelli already has a strong relationship with one of Tottenham’s most influential figures at the club. Franco Baldini is technical director at White Hart Lane and first worked with the manager during the Italian's short stint at Roma in 2004. Prandelli had joined Roma after two years at Parma but his stay in the capital ended prematurely when the Italian was forced to quit the club before managing them in a competitive fixture, because his wife was taken seriously ill.

2) The Italian returned to football 12 months after his departure from Roma when he inherited a Fiorentina side that just avoided relegation in the previous season. Though the board clearly wanted improvements, they could not have expected their progress would be so quick, with Prandelli revitalising the club and guiding them to fourth in his first Serie A season in charge. The finish earned them a spot in the Champions League, but it was taken away after the Calciopoli match-fixing trial.

3) Amid the punishment Prandelli stayed with Fiorentina for five years, was approached by the Italian Football Federation and asked to become manager of the Italian national side in 2010. Taking over from Marcello Lippi, Prandelli successfully guided the Azzurri to the 2012 European Championship final in Poland and Ukraine. Paired in a difficult group with Croatia and Spain, the Italians faced a battle to get out of the group stage. However, Prandelli’s side emerged and gained confidence as the tournament progressed. Wins against England and Germany set up a final with holders Spain and though Italy were crushed 4-0, Italy had bettered expectations at the tournament and were welcomed back by fans upon their arrival home.

What is being said?
Van Gaal:
"I am mostly interested in England because I have been a coach in Spain, Germany, in the Netherlands, so I think England is the next step in my career”

On Prandelli:
"If Tottenham had the opportunity to [sign Prandelli] then it would be a tremendous appointment"
– Italian football correspondant Paolo Bandin speaking to talkSPORT's Extra Time show

Tottenham fans, should you replace Tim Sherwood in the summer? Let us know below...