Ralf Rangnick to be given chance to impress Tottenham hierarchy in manager search

Andre Villas-Boas is only one of a number of contenders (AFP)

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is preparing to look at a number of candidates to replace Harry Redknapp, including the former Schalke manager Ralf Rangnick, who has already turned down approaches from Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion this summer.

Spurs will also consider the former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas, and France coach Laurent Blanc but as yet the club has not taken a firm decision on which way to go. However, Levy wants the appointment sealed by the end of the month so that the club can enter the transfer market with a clear direction when Euro 2012 is over at the start of July and player trading starts in earnest.

It is also telling that Tim Sherwood remains at the club despite the dismissal of much of Redknapp's former coaching staff, including Joe Jordan, Kevin Bond and Clive Allen. Sherwood, 43, is highly rated by Levy and, under Redknapp, oversaw the players making the transition from the academy and reserves to the first team, in particular placing them at loan clubs.

While Sherwood's future will depend to an extent on who the club appoint as a manager, he is regarded as an asset to the club and an accommodation is expected to be found for him. He was brought in by Redknapp on the advice of his son, Jamie, who played with Sherwood for Spurs and England and is a good friend of the former Blackburn Rovers captain. As it stands, Les Ferdinand, also brought on to the coaching staff by Redknapp is still at the club as well.

Villas-Boas is understood to be on holiday in Portugal and while he is a contender, no final decision has been made on the job. Roberto Martinez of Wigan Athletic and David Moyes remain under consideration. It is conceivable that Sherwood could be a caretaker manager but it is Levy's desire that the job be filled as soon as possible.