Who Should Be Tottenham Manager?

Once again, that question is being asked at White Hart Lane.

With Tim Sherwood's future in doubt following a recent run of defeats until Monday's 5-1 thumping of Sunderland at home, speculation is now rife as to who should be manager of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

Plenty of names have been bandied around like it's Fantasy Football but putting aside the likes of pipe dreams like Pep Guardiola, here are 3 realistic contenders to take charge in North London, if Tim Sherwood is not considered a manager of a Champions League chasing club.

1. Louis van Gaal - the current manager of the Dutch national side will be off-contract after the World Cup and apparently has already signed up to be Tottenham's next manager if media reports are to be believed. Van Gaal has plenty of experience having coached the likes of AZ Alkmaar, Barcelona, Ajax Amsterdam, Bayern Munich and guided a young Ajax side to European Cup Final glory in 1995, but has had some failures at the same time, most notably at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

A high profile choice but not necessarily the right option going forward.

2. Frank de Boer - the former centre-back has now emerged as one of football's great managers and must be the hottest property on the market after guiding Ajax to 3 Eredvisie championships in two and a half years with a very young, talented squad.

De Boer would be a great choice as he will bring a fresh perspective to White Hart Lane and unite a very talented squad that is lacking cohesive - while being reunited with former charge, Christian Eriksen. He will also be very good for Tottenham's academy and helping bring through a very talented next generation into the top flight.

3. Mauricio Pochettino - another name that has been mentioned particularly after his stellar 18 months at Southampton where he has not only kept the Saints in the Premier League but established them as one of the teams to watch thanks to their high tempo attacking football and English youngsters. Like de Boer, Pochettino could bring his experience from playing and managing on the continent as well as a fresh perspective to White Hart Lane and working with the youngsters from the academy.

The one thing that will mark Pochettino down is his poor English, still preferring the comfort and security of a translator, although this would be a half-mark rather than many points if his record at Southampton is anything to go by.