Tottenham Running Out of Options as de Boer's Agent Dismisses Approach

Tottenham Hotspur's quest to appoint a replacement for Andre Villas-Boas has been struck another blow after the agent of Ajax boss Frank de Boer insisted his client is entirely focused on the Dutch club.

A number of reports have suggested Daniel Levy has approached the 43-year-old coach to take over at White Hart Lane on a permanent basis after Tim Sherwood was appointed interim boss earlier this week.

But de Boer has indicated through his agent that the Premier League club are yet to make formal contact with Ajax and has stressed his focus remains firmly on securing a fourth consecutive Eredivisie title.

"Through various channels it has become clear to me that Spurs are interested, but the club has not made contact to Ajax," de Boer's agent Guido Albers told Voetbal International.

"So for us there is not much to say about it. He focuses entirely on Ajax."

With former Ajax stars Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen now plying their trade at White Hart Lane, it had been suggested that the former Ajax and Barcelona defender may be keen to reunite with his former players in north London.

But having signed a new contract in May that will keep him at the Amsterdam club until 2017, de Boer is now increasingly unlikely to consider any forthcoming offers from Tottenham.

Der Boer is the latest high-profile manager to distance himself from the vacant Tottenham job. Following Monday's dismissal of Villas-Boas, Guus Hiddink was quick to stress that his focus is now on the Holland national team job, which he will take on following next summer's World Cup.

Tottenham cult hero Jurgen Klinsmann also found himself linked with the role, but his obligations to the USA national team until 2018 ensure he remains an outside bet for the role.

Glenn Hoddle and Fabio Capello are the two names which remain firmly in the frame, with Sherwood also hoping to be handed the role on a permanent basis.

Sherwood oversaw Tottenham's attempt to lift the mood at the club in their Capital One Cup clash with West Ham United on Wednesday, but late goals from Matt Jarvis and Modibo Maiga ensured the club's miserable week continues.