Bale plays better without Ronaldo - Villas-Boas

The former Tottenham boss feels the Wales international is only able to play his best football without the Portugal captain on the pitch - the player he says has been 2013's best

Former Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas feels Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has performed far better this season without Cristiano Ronaldo in the side.

The 24-year-old delivered some exceptional displays for los Blancos after initially struggling for fitness following his €100 million summer move, notching nine goals and six assists in 15 games in all competitions prior to the winter break.

Sherwood named permanent Tottenham manager

The former Spurs player has been named head coach until the end of next season, after impressing as caretaker manager following the departure of Andre Villas-Boas

Tim Sherwood has been appointed Tottenham head coach until the end of the 2014-15 season.

The former Spurs midfielder took over first team affairs after Andre Villas-Boas was sacked in the aftermath of a 5-0 defeat to Liverpool at White Hart Lane last Sunday.

And after a Capital One Cup fifth round loss to West Ham, Sherwood oversaw an impressive 3-2 victory against Southampton at St Mary's on Sunday.

Moyes slams sacking culture

Manchester United boss David Moyes is counting his blessings he has not been a victim of football's sacking culture so far in his career.

Andre Villas-Boas became the fifth Premier League manager to lose his job this season when Tottenham relieved him of his duties on Monday.

The Portuguese was only at the helm at White Hart Lane for just over 17 months, having previously been shown the door by Chelsea.

Moyes cut his teeth in management in a four-year reign at Preston North End before being appointed Everton boss in 2002, spending 11 years at Goodison Park before United came knocking.

Tim Sherwood will be Tottenham's 'interim head coach' with a view to permanent appointment.

Tottenham Hotspur have moved to appoint Tim Sherwood as 'interim head coach' following the dismissal of Andre Villas-Boas this morning. The club's Technical Co-ordinator, a trusted figure in chairman Daniel Levy's White Hart Lane hierarchy, will be given the opportunity to hold the position at least until the end of the current Premier League season if results are deemed satisfactory.

Sherwood, 44, played in midfield for Tottenham between 1999 and 2003. As the club's technical co-ordinator, he was regarded by Villas-Boas as an undermining influence, contributing to a series of difficulties the manager experienced working with Levy.

Villas-Boas hails second-half showing

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas was pleased with his side's improvement during their 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

Despite taking the lead through Andros Townsend after 31 minutes, Tottenham were frustrated by a determined Villa defence for periods during the first period.

However, Roberto Soldado eventually doubled the visitors' lead after the break and Villas-Boas noted the improvement his side made in the second half.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho hits out at Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has hit back at former colleague Andre Villas-Boas for revealing that they have fallen out.

Tottenham manager Villas-Boas - who learnt his trade under the Chelsea manager during his time at Porto, Inter Milan and Stamford Bridge - has revealed he no longer considers Mourinho a friend.

Ahead of Chelsea's trip to Tottenham this weekend, Mourinho said: "I don't discuss this with the media, it's a personal thing. I don't care what he says. I'm not here to do that. I'm not interested."

Gareth Bale 'furious' as Tottenham stall over his move to Real Madrid

Gareth Bale is "furious" with Tottenham's handling of his proposed transfer, Sky sources understand.

The Wales international was expected to meet up with his Spurs team-mates on Tuesday but he did not turn up and is increasingly frustrated with how the club are dealing with the situation.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas is, however, understood to have no issue with Bale over his absence from training on Tuesday and is in touch with the winger over the club's training schedule.

Andre Villas-Boas keeping Jermain Defoe and Gylfi Sigurdsson at Spurs

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has ruled out selling Jermain Defoe and Gylfi Sigurdsson.

The futures of Defoe and Sigurdsson have been the subject of speculation with Spurs in the market for striking reinforcements.

Defoe has been linked with a host of clubs, including West Brom and Queens Park Rangers, while Sigurdsson struggled to hold down a regular place in the side last season.

Bale tells AVB: I want to go

Gareth Bale has left Tottenham's training ground for the day after reportedly telling Andre Villas-Boas he wants to join Real Madrid.

Spurs are yet to comment on the world record bid of more than £85m lodged by Real several days ago and have not wavered publicly on their stance that the player is not for sale.

In the meantime, Bale spent around five hours at the club's north London training centre on Tuesday and underwent treatment on a muscle injury, departing shortly after 2pm.

And, according to Sky sources, the 24-year-old took the opportunity while there to reiterate his desire to leave for Spain.