Tim Sherwood

Interview September 2024

Exclusive interview with Tim Sherwood: 

• Tottenham will win thrilling North London Derby but only four Spurs players would get in the Arsenal XI
• Man Utd should throw the King’s Ransom at Harry Kane
• Unai Emery has the credentials to be the next boss at Old Trafford
• Cristiano Ronaldo will be a successful manager - Messi won’t bother
• Jack Grealish won’t reach his very best level in Pep Guardiola’s system

Former Premier League manager turned pundit Tim Sherwood said that Tottenham will beat rivals Arsenal 3-2 in a thrilling North London Derby –  but admitted that only four Spurs players would get into a combined XI.

The Premier League winner with Blackburn has also told Erik ten Hag that he has no choice but to win his next three games in charge, predicting a sixth or seventh place finish in the table matching the bookmakers prediction in the current odds..

Sherwood has also told Manchester United that they should throw the King’s Ransom at Harry Kane to tempt him away from Bayern Munich in a potential Premier League return.

The former Aston Villa boss has also noted that Unai Emery has the credentials to be a future manager of Manchester United and admitted that Jack Grealish won’t reach his best level in Pep Guardiola’s system at Manchester City.

Q: What is your Premier League top four prediction?

TS: “Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham.

“Manchester City are still the team to beat with Erling Haaland on fire, which is bad news as far as everyone else is concerned - but Arsenal will run them close again.

“Having said that, they won’t be helped by injuries and suspension against Tottenham, before facing Atalanta in the Champions League and then City, but I still see them pushing Pep Guardiola’s side the closest.

“Then you have Liverpool where Arne Slot has fit in seamlessly, the players look like they are happy and look like they want to play for him, the fans are all upbeat.

“It was a huge blow to lose Jurgen Klopp but Slot has been the perfect fit so far, they will be cemented into the top four.

“Then you have Chelsea and Tottenham, with Chelsea it’s all about if they can find that consistency that you need. It’s difficult but I'd edge towards Tottenham.

“I just think that he's had a bit of time now, Ange Postocoglou. Spurs have a clear identity in terms of how they play and the additions they have made will help that but they do have to be careful of injuries as there isn’t a huge depth.

“Chelsea have that depth but not the consistency, so I think they’ll just miss out as Enzo Maresca settles in.”

Premier League Outright Winner Odds

Here are the current odds available at online bookmakers for the Premier League

England Premier League 2024/25

Latest odds at Oct 8, 2024

	Selection	Probability	Odds
1	Arsenal	50%	2
2	Man City	33.3%	3
3	Liverpool	20%	5
4	Chelsea	4.8%	21
5	Tottenham	1.5%	67

Q: Where will Man Utd finish in the Premier League?

TS: “At this moment in time, I’d say that Manchester United will finish sixth or seventh will be an improvement on last year but isn’t good enough for a giant club like they are.

“Erik ten Hag has won two trophies in two years so you can’t say he’s done a bad job, but I haven’t seen any steady improvement and I don’t see a philosophy there.

“I don’t see a clear pattern of play and I don’t see what he is trying to achieve. You don’t know what you are going to get, they rely on moments from their top players without having an identity which you need to challenge on a consistent basis.

“You can rely on players to give you moments in cup competitions but you need more than that to challenge in the Premier League, so I don’t think they’ll get into the top four at the moment.”

Q: Can Erik ten Hag eventually bring his Ajax playing style to Man Utd?

Erik ten Hag

TS: “Erik ten Hag has spoken about his style of play with Ajax but any manager could do the same with Ajax due to the lack of competition in the league.

“If you manage Ajax it’s a requirement to win the league, they usually have the best players and the best academy, he’s been at Manchester United for two years now and there is no sign of it.

“I still don't see the identity of the team and I'm not excited about the signings they've made either, there is a hell of a lot of work that needs to be done.

“As a pundit I say it how it is and there hasn’t been an improvement, you’re waiting to see that progression and we haven't.

“I genuinely want to see them be great again because I want the big teams to be challenging, but I just don't see it coming in the Premier League any time soon.

“How long will the club give Ten Hag to turn it around? I was very surprised that they gave him a new contract as it looked like a good time to move him, his stock would’ve still been high and he could’ve got another job – but I don’t see him improving United.

“He is going to have to stumble across a system and formation that works but after two years, he hasn’t been able to do it.”

Q: Could Erik ten Hag be the first manager to go this season if Man Utd don’t beat Southampton, Barnsley and Crystal Palace?

TS: ‘Erik ten Hag could be in big trouble in a matter of weeks, but he can also see these fixtures as a chance to get three wins on the board and get confidence flowing.

“Having said that, If they don't win all three of these games, I think the pressure will start ramping up towards that October international break.”

Q: Which three sides will be relegated to the Championship?

TS: “In the battle to avoid relegation, I worry for Everton – but they won’t be in my three favourites to go down.

“I’d first go for Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich because the gap between the two divisions is getting bigger, these sides are always going to struggle.

“No matter how much money they spend and who they can attract to their clubs, it's just not easy to bridge that gap. They find, especially when they come up with a playing styles like Burnley had, you get punished playing out from the back.

“We are seeing it now with Ipswich and Southampton. You get away with it in the Championship and you win enough games to get yourself in motion. In the Premier League, you don't get away with playing out and giving the ball away in dangerous areas. You get punished. 

“I think there's been a rude awakening for these teams at the moment, so for me, Sean Dyche is the best man to be in charge of Everton because he's been there and done it. He stays calm.

“If anyone can get Everton to safety again, it’s him. If they didn't have the points deduction last year then they would have been comfortable survivors in the Premier League. 

“Having said that, I do worry for them. It's been a poor start. From being 2-0 up to losing 3-2 at home and so late in the game, it’s a crippling blow for confidence.

“But Sean is a very experienced manager at that end of the table and he knows you need to dust yourself down and move on and on to the next game.”

Q: What do you make of Aston Villa’s Champions League ticket prices?

TS: “Seeing Aston Villa’s ticket prices, it’s a shame really. I’m not sure how much difference it makes to finances as well, very little.

“It’s unnecessary publicity for me. I think if they're going to challenge or go far in the Champions League, they need their fans fully behind them. 

“That is one of the best supported clubs and when that place is rocking, I've been there first-hand, the place bounces and they're going to need that, they’re going to need all the help they're going to get when they step up playing at a higher level in the Champions League. 

“They’ll want it to be full and I still hope it will be, but I was surprised that Villa chose to go down that route of hiking prices.”

Villa boss Unai Emery

Q: What would mark success for Aston Villa in the Champions League?

TS: “Aston Villa should target progression to the next phase in the Champions League. That’s what they will be looking for. It will be more difficult with more games and there is going to have to be lots of analysis on different teams, but I think that can suit them.

“In Unai Emery, they’ve certainly got the best manager to cope with European football. He's a prolific winner in the Europa League and he’s had a taste of Champions League. 

“I think he's an experienced man who knows how to navigate it. He's a top draw manager, very calm and he knows how to shuffle the pack. He rotates his squad perfectly and he’s been helped out with the finances they've recruited very well. 

“I've got hopes for them. I don't think they can win it because I think there's possibly only two teams who can win it in Real Madrid and Man City. 

“But Villa can be a danger. If you're any team, you don't want to play away at Aston Villa. On their day and with the experience of their manager, they can cause an upset against anyone.”

Q: Which competition should Tottenham focus on this season?

TS: “If I was Ange Postecoglou, I would go all out to win a domestic cup this season and you’d have to say that the easiest one to win is the Carabao Cup.

“The Carabao Cup is the one Spurs should go for, they should put all their eggs in one basket in terms of winning a domestic cup. He’ll be a hero if he can do it and I think he is capable of doing it.

“The way they play on the front foot will suit one off games and they have the quality to find that momentum and win a trophy. They will need luck with the draws and have to hope to avoid Arsenal, Liverpool and certainly Manchester City early, but on their day they can beat anyone.”

Q: Who are the favourites going into the North London Derby?

TS: “Heading into the North London Derby, I’d have to lean towards Tottenham.

“Declan Rice was already a huge miss for Arsenal and then they had the massive blow regarding Martin Odegaard, he is a fantastic player that controls the tempo of the game which they will need against Tottenham.

“Tottenham will want to play like they always play. It's a clear identity. They go on the front foot and they play at a thousand miles an hour and you need players who can hold the ball and you need players who can break up that counter first and foremost. That's Rice and Odegaard. 

“They're going to miss them two guys and that's why I think Tottenham will get all three points.

“I think it would be tight because they're two quality teams and Arsenal have done brilliantly in recent years. Mikel has done an unbelievable job with them. 

“But just with the injuries and the home advantage for Tottenham, I'm just going to say that it will be a thriller that ends 3-2 to Tottenham.”

Q: What is your North London Derby combined XI if all players were fit?

TS: “Raya; Udogie, Van de Ven, Saliba, White; Rice, Odegaard, Maddison; Saka, Havertz, Son.

“I’d have Raya in goal. There was a big circus around him and Aaron Ramsdale and he took that debate away with his performances. He's proved to be an excellent goalkeeper. Vicario has been excellent but there were some concerns over set-pieces and he’s still a young man.

“At left-back is Destiny Udogie, he has pace and power, goes forward at the right time and he suits their style perfectly so he edges out Jurrien Timber.

“Then I’d go for Ben White, if it was a wing-back I’d go for Pedro Porro because he isn’t a right-back in the traditional sense, the manager does play to his strengths. For his allround game I’d have to go for White, he works so well with Buyako Saka and does his job.

“In the middle I'd go for Micky van de Ven on the left side and William Saliba on the right. Van de Ven has been brilliant. The fastest player in the Premier League last season, he can handle the ball. He drives forward if there's space in front of him.

“For me, one of the best centre halves we've seen in the last two years is Saliba, he's been absolutely outstanding for Arsenal. Growing in stature, this boy is like a real leader of the team, so he has to be in there.

“In the middle I’d go for Declan Rice behind Martin Odegaard and James Maddison. Rice will do a job, he’s reliable and is a manager’s dream. Odegaard serves the forwards and has an eye for goal, while Maddison on his day is as good as anyone. 

“Then it’s Heung-Min Son and Saka, you can't look beyond them. Son with the experience and the numbers he posts, he is a dream for his team-mates and the fans. 

“Saka, he is so durable. People say he needs a break but he keeps going and doesn’t seem to pick up injuries. He is such a threat and Tottenham have to keep him quiet if they are going to win.

“Dominic Solanke hasn’t been at Tottenham long enough to get the nod so I’d go for Kai Havertz in a false nine. 

“He has guile and is a clever player, he scores goals. I was quite critical of him in the past and I wasn’t alone, but Mikel Arteta has seen the full picture and he can drop in like Harry Kane as well as get himself in goal scoring positions like Kane.”

Q: Are Arsenal facing a make or break few weeks even this early?

TS: “It’s early in the season but it could be a make or break few weeks for Arsenal. They can’t win the title this early but they can lose it, especially when you have a juggernaut like Manchester City who have started so strongly. 

“Arsenal needed to have a head start and something to hold on to, but now they can’t afford to drop any more points this early. 

“These are a pivotal few weeks for Arsenal across the Premier League and I’d say they have to get four points from Spurs and Manchester City to stay in the title picture.”

Q: Was selling Emile Smith Rowe a mistake now Odegaard is injured?

TS: “I don’t think it was a mistake to sell Emile Smith Rowe, even though Martin Odegaard has now picked up an injury.

“They decided between them that it would be the best thing for his career to leave and go and play on a regular basis, I also think he is more of a dribbler which isn’t like Odegaard.

“For Arsenal it would’ve been nice to have Smith Rowe vs Tottenham, but for his career he’s made the right choice.”

Q: How much pride do you have in Harry Kane’s achievements?

Harry Kane at Tottenham

TS: “I have lots of pride in Harry Kane, he is incredible. To be at Wembley to see him get his 100th cap was fantastic and it was just inevitable that he would score.

“This boy writes his own scripts and he's not put the pencil down yet. He's just going to keep going, breaking all sorts of records in the Bundesliga and I believe that he will win something this year with Vincent Kompany in charge.

“Hopefully they get a domestic double and maybe push for something in the Champions League.

“I’m incredibly proud of Harry. It’s wonderful for Harry and his family. I just think it's a testament to any kids out there who want to be top footballers.

“Don't just think you've made it when you make the first appearance in the first team. There is a lot of hard work to go. Harry still doesn't feel like there's a ceiling above him. He still feels like he can keep pushing the boundaries and I believe he can. He's an incredible athlete.

“He may not be as quick as the Ronaldo's and the Messi's of this world, he's very, very durable. 

“He works very tirelessly in the gym to keep his body in good shape and I think he will continue to play for another four or five years at the top level.”

Q: When will Harry Kane return to the Premier League?

TS: “Bayern Munich don’t give good players away for nothing and I don’t think they would sell him unless they made a profit and that probably won’t happen with any Premier League teams.

“I think he will return to the Premier League on a free transfer when his contract expires, but if I was Manchester United I’d throw the King’s Ransom at trying to sign him before then and then some.

“But Harry's determined to be a success in Germany and I think he will be. It’ll start with his team winning trophies this season, I really believe that.”

Q: Did Man Utd and Man City make a huge mistake in not signing him?

TS: “At the time of his links to Manchester City and Manchester United, I was vocal in saying United should sign him because he would’ve changed their fortunes around straight away.

“Not only because they're absolutely top drawer players, but also top drawer men and personalities you need in the dressing room to help and show a great example to the rest of them. 

“At the time for United, that was Declan Rice and that was Harry Kane. If they would have done that, I don't think they would still be wasting money in other areas. 

“I've always said, don't go out and waste your money just to bring in a signing for the sake of it. Go and bring in someone who's going to be better than what you got and judge that on their Premier League experience. 

“They would’ve hit the floor running and not only would they improve your team, they would improve individuals and young players coming through around them because of their attitudes.”

Q: Who could compete with Lee Carsley for the England job?

TS: “I think Lee Carsley is a perfect fit for England, I really do. Look at the Spanish model, they've pretty much got that with their man at the moment. He's gone through the age groups and been successful, he knows what it's like to bring through the younger players. 

“I think Lee has been watching from afar in job with the under 21s. He saw that Gareth made that step.

“He's giving the fans what they were crying out for. He's trying new players and it's exciting to watch on the front foot which people want to see. 

“It's very difficult when you're playing against teams like Ireland and Finland because it's hard to judge them. He's got six games now across three camps and he will win every game I would suggest he would because of the competition we're playing against.

“I think the FA want to give him the job and  there isn’t any other obvious candidate at the moment.

“The best candidate for me is Eddie Howe, but Eddie Howe is in a fantastic job at Newcastle and he looks like he's really enjoying it there and they're building something. So he's not going to leave that at the moment. 

“If he did change his mind, then it might put the cat amongst the pigeons.”

Interim England Manager Lee Carsley

Q: Will Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool exit be like Gareth Bale at Tottenham?

TS: “Andre Villas-Boas pretty much built the whole team around Gareth Bale and just let him have a free role, he was fantastic under Harry Redknapp before that in the Champions League so you can’t really blame him.

“When he went to Real Madrid he was a prolific winner over there of Champions Leagues and domestic trophies. What he did for Wales was also absolutely incredible. 

“With Salah and Liverpool, they aren’t the one-man team that Tottenham were so it might not be such a shock to the system, but he's certainly a world class player and very difficult to replace.”

Q: Will Darwin Nunez be pushing for a Liverpool exit in January?

TS: “There are enough competitions for Darwin Nunez to be rotated by Arne Slot to keep him from trying to push for a move away due to lack of playing time.

“At the moment he is looking for consistency with his starting XI but when the fixtures pick up he will get his time, with Harvey Elliott now out injured too.

“But Nunez is a cult hero at Liverpool for doing nothing at the moment. But he does have ability and just need to be made to feel confident and be shown some love by his manager.

“Arne Slot now has to put his arm around him, give him some one-to-one treatment and tell him his opportunity will come, and when it comes and when he plays well, leave him in the team.”

Q: Who are your third favourites for the Champions League after Man City and Real Madrid?

TS: “Apart from Manchester City and Real Madrid, I’d go with Arsenal to win the Champions League. They have shown on their day that they can beat anyone and having been delighted to be back in it last year now they could go and compete.

“Liverpool could also go far as such experienced winners of it and you also have to look at Bayern Munich, they have what it takes to go a long way.”

Q: Should Harry Maguire be favoured over Matthijs de Ligt at Man Utd?

TS: “I feel like there were areas of the field and more pressing areas of the field where Manchester United needed to strengthen.

“They’vs obviously decided to back Ten Hag and give him the money to get players who he knows - but this is not the De Ligt who was at Ajax.

“When you move to huge clubs, you move there for a reason because you're a very talented player. So he went to Juventus and he was okay, but then they decided to let him go. 

“Good teams don't let good players go too easily. Then he was in and out of the team at Bayern Munich but having said that, I do like him as a player. I just don’t think he’s £50m better than Harry Maguire.

I think they need a centre forward. I can't remember the last time I saw a Manchester United squad with one fit centre forward and that's pretty much what they have got.

“I think they could have used their money in different areas rather than bringing a player who's isn’t much better than what you’ve got, especially when it will be their first season to play in the Premier League.

“I don't think Ten Hag has got the time to bed someone in, he needs ready-made players. Look at a couple of years ago when they should’ve signed Harry Kane and Declan Rice.

“There is no guarantee that De Ligt can do it in the Premier League, but I hope he does. He looks like a good lad. But he’s certainly not better than Lisandro Martinez, who is a fan favourite.

“Additionally, I think he’s a similar player to Harry Maguire, they’ve got similar qualities and I think that money could’ve been spent well in different areas.”

Q: Does Unai Emery have the credentials to be a future Man Utd manager?

TS: “Unai Emery certainly has the credentials to be a future Manchester United manager, but Aston Villa would do everything they can not to lose him and I don’t think he’d be interested in leaving to take that job.

“Aston Villa, they've given him everything. They've given the sporting director what he wants as well. He's pretty much running the club from top to bottom. And why wouldn't they? 

“He has had a couple of fantastic seasons and he's turned their fortunes around, on top of that, every time he signs a player, it seems to be a success and he improves the ones they already have.

“He is a dream manager and Villa are right to trust him, it would be difficult to prise him away now, but certainly he looks like a man to me who's very level -headed and can handle the big pressure. 

“Back to that old thing of experience in the Premier League, he knows all about it. They weren't bringing him in cold, he'd already dipped his toe in the water with Arsenal and that would have been a benefit to him in this job.”

Q: Where do you stand in the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate?

TS: “Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi can’t be judged alongside any other players, they’re not world class – they are out of this world.

“They’re freaks really. Continually churning out numbers and being so durable, hardly ever injured, it’s testament to how they have looked after themselves as well as their ability.

“They are fantastic role models but actually quite unrealistic role models for kids. They are just incredible, so special.

“It’s a privilege to have been in an era to watch them play, but if I had to choose it would be Messi, his manipulation of the ball and the goals he has scored down the years.

“His dribbling is incredible and he gets even uncultured football watchers off their seats every week and has barely ever disappointed.

“Ronaldo is a little bit more manufactured, but still brilliant.”

Q: Do you think Messi or Ronaldo will go into management?

TS: “In terms of management, I can’t see it being the path of Lionel Messi, I think he will put his feet up somewhere.

“With Cristiano Ronaldo, I don’t think he will be able to leave the game behind. He is in love with the game and I can certainly see him doing it and being successful.

“I’d love to see him as a manager and he won’t have a lack of offers if he does go down that route.”

Q: Is Jack Grealish held back at all by playing into Man City’s system?

TS: “You could say Jack Grealish isn’t at his very best unless he has the freedom of the park, but no one gets that at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.

“You play to a structure of how Pep Guardiola wants to play and if you don't stick to that, then you don't play because they've got so many options that he can just leave you out.

“He wants Jack to stay on the left hand side, create a melee, drag people over and give some freedom to the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne and he does it well. 

“If Jack stays fit I see him having a big season again this year. I do think Jack would prefer having a free role, but he also likes picking up trophies at the end of every season.

“It’s not like him being at  Aston Villa when I needed him to just go and pick the ball up and even told other players just to find Jack and given him the ball.

“I used to say to Jack, I want you to give the ball away more than anyone else has it, because I want you to take risks and be at the heart of the team.

“Certainly during England’s win over Ireland, he drifted everywhere and picked it up in behind and looked excellent.

“He could receive the ball in a phone box and hopefully under Lee Carsley he becomes a mainstay in the England team, although that won’t be easy with Phil Foden and Cole Palmer coming back. But Jack has done himself no harm.”

Q: What are the biggest differences between managing and being a pundit?

TS: “The biggest difference between being a manager and a pundit is the pressure that comes with it, there is so much pressure as a manager and you take that home with you.

“As a pundit, after doing a show on TV, you want to do well and I find it easy because I just tell it how it is and say how I feel. I give my opinion and try to be myself. If people like it, they like it and if they don’t, they don’t.

“As a manager you can’t go home and put everything to one side and forget about it. You are thinking 24/7 and that can consume you and rightly so when you need your team to perform.

“If you can’t do that you get sacked, it’s as simple as that.”

Q: Would you get back into management if given the right opportunity?

TS: “I’m enjoying what I’m doing at the moment but I’d definitely get back into management if I had the right offer, 100%.

“I would like to go back into the development of younger players. I love that role and I think I'm good at it as well. I think I can recognise the talent and nurture and mould young players to reach their potential at the top level. I have done that in the past and I think I could again.

“I still have the energy to be able to do it and I've got the passion for it. I’ve got the honesty with players, look at Harry Kane and Jack Grealish and other players I’ve brought through, you and them have to be strong enough to know it’s not good news all the time and they need that to improve.

“I'd love to find a role where I can develop young players again.”

Q: Who were the best managers to share a drink with after a game?

TS: “I loved sharing a drink and a chat with any manager as long as we had won, but some managers wouldn’t come in if they lost.

“Arsene Wenger would only come in if Arsenal had won and unfortunately for me I did see him a few times.”

Tim Sherwood Profile

Timothy Alan Sherwood (born February 6, 1969) is a former English footballer and manager, renowned for captaining Blackburn Rovers to their Premier League title in 1995. His career as a midfielder spanned from 1987 to 2005, during which he played for Watford, Norwich City, Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, and Coventry City. He earned three caps for the England national team in 1999.

Club Career 

Sherwood was born in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, and began his professional career at Watford, making his debut in 1987. After 32 league appearances, he transferred to Norwich City in 1989, where he scored 13 goals in 88 games. In 1992, he joined Blackburn Rovers, becoming a key player and captain, leading them to a Premier League title in the 1994-95 season. In 1999, he moved to Tottenham Hotspur for a reported £3 million fee, winning a runners-up medal in the 2002 League Cup. His tenure was cut short following a public fallout with manager Glenn Hoddle, leading to his departure in 2003. Sherwood then signed with Portsmouth, playing a pivotal role in their First Division Championship win but suffered a career-impacting leg injury in 2003. He concluded his playing career at Coventry City, where he captained the side but struggled with injuries and other commitments, ultimately leaving the club in 2005.

International Career  

Sherwood accrued England caps at various youth levels and earned an England B cap before making his senior team debut at age 30 in a Euro 2000 qualifier against Poland in March 1999. He gained two more caps the same year, playing against Hungary and Sweden.

Managerial Career 

Transitioning to coaching, Sherwood took roles at Tottenham Hotspur starting in 2008, eventually becoming manager in December 2013. Despite achieving a commendable sixth-place finish, he was dismissed in May 2014. In February 2015, he became manager of Aston Villa, leading the team to an FA Cup final and avoiding relegation, but was sacked in October 2015 following a poor run of results. He later served as Director of Football for Swindon Town from November 2016 until June 2017, departing after the club's relegation.

Media Career

Post-retirement, Sherwood established himself as a football pundit, offering commentary on English football for Al-Jazeera Sport, Setanta Sports, and more recently, Amazon Prime Video's Premier League coverage.