Andre Villas-Boas is ahead of Laurent Blanc in the battle for the Tottenham job.

The Sunday Mirror says Villas-Boas has been given the backing of Tim Sherwood in his bid to beat Blanc in the race to become Tottenham's next manager.

Villas-Boas last week held discussions with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and Sherwood, who will be given a prominent role in the set-up, is keen to work with the ex-Chelsea boss.

Sherwood's influence has now convinced Levy that Villas-Boas is the right man and the club are waiting for the terms of his severance agreement with Chelsea to expire at the end of June.