Tim Sherwood admits his appointment as Tottenham manager is a risk but backs side to get 'better and better'

Rookie manager accepts that the decision to install him as head coach is a gamble by Spurs

New Tottenham head coach Tim Sherwood gestures to his players during match with West Brom. (GETTY IMAGES)

Tim Sherwood has admitted that chairman Daniel Levy has taken a risk by appointing him as the new Tottenham Hotspur head coach until the end of next season.

“It's a gamble because I've never done it before. But there are a lot of good managers who had never done it before and become a success. I was never a professional player until I stepped on the field.”

Sherwood took charge of his first proper game as manager on Boxing Day and watched his side struggle to a 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion at White Hart Lane. Christian Eriksen’s tremendous 36th minute free-kick gave the new boss an ideal start, but Jonas Olsson’s immediate equaliser helped the visitors to a deserved point.

The former Blackburn and Spurs midfielder had taken the reins on an interim basis after the sacking of André Villas-Boas earlier this month, and oversaw a defeat to West Ham in the Capital One Cup quarter-final before a Premier League win at Southampton as the fixtures came at a rapid rate.

“It has been difficult because it has been hectic and the number of the games means we have not been able to give too much instruction to the boys in training."

However, the 44-year-old is confident that the squad will adapt as they prepare for upcoming league games against Stoke and Manchester United as well an FA Cup clash at rivals Arsenal.

“I think we will improve. It's a new voice and we are asking them to play in a slightly different manner and hopefully they are going to get better and better at it.”