Andre Villas-Boas left to rue Tottenham trophy failure as he prepares to say farewell to English football

Villas-Boas is likely to return to management on the continent following unsuccessful spells with Chelsea and Tottenham

Andre Villas-Boas's future at Tottenham is in doubt after the humiliating 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool (GETTY IMAGES)

Andre Villas-Boas rues his failure to deliver at Tottenham and has dropped a heavy hint that his next job in management will not be in England.

After lasting less than nine months at Chelsea, Villas-Boas had a chance to rebuild his reputation at Tottenham, but the Portuguese was sacked last week following a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Many Tottenham fans were annoyed at the sacking of Villas-Boas, and the appointment of managerial novice Tim Sherwood as his replacement.

That much was evident on Boxing Day when a group of home fans at White Hart Lane booed their team off following an underwhelming 1-1 draw against West Brom.

Villas-Boas, speaking for the first time since his dismissal, is disappointed that he could not repeat the success he enjoyed at Porto, where he won three trophies during his first and only season in charge.

"I wish I could have responded to the confidence shown by the fans with a trophy," Villas-Boas told Portuguese newspaper O Jogo.

"I had great ambitions to win a trophy this season."

With his reputation in England having taken a big hit, Villas-Boas looks set to be planning a return to the management on the continent.

The 36-year-old was not short of offers last summer. He rejected overtures from Paris St Germain while Real Madrid were also said to be interested in his services. He has recently been linked with AC Milan.

In the interview he refers to his time in England in the past tense, and talks of "re-positioning" his career, suggesting that he will not be looking for a new post in the Barclays Premier League any time soon.

"This is a time of reflection for me and my staff, and for repositioning of our careers," he said.

"Nevertheless, England was a great experience."

Sherwood looked to have the perfect chance to start his reign at Spurs with a win on Boxing Day, but his team came up short against strugglers West Brom.

The Londoners looked vulnerable at the back and had to settle for a 1-1 draw after Jonas Olsson equalised Christian Eriksen's opener.

Given that Sherwood has been thrown into the job during the hectic festive period, midfielder Lewis Holtby believes the new manager and his coaching staff must be given time to adapt.

"The (coaches) who are in, they've only had a short time. It's not that easy for them to come in and show you a different style," Holtby said.

"We're trying to adapt that as quickly as we can and I think we're positive about the coming weeks. I think we can get there quickly.

"I think they've done a really good job coming in here in a very hectic period of the season, and we just have to follow their lead and try to do everything they say."

Sherwood bristled at suggestions that he is keeping the manager's seat warm for a more experienced coach following Thursday's game.

He will have little time to gather his composure as his team face Stoke on Sunday afternoon before travelling to Manchester United on New Year's Day.

Then Tottenham have the small matter of an FA Cup tie against bitter rivals Arsenal three days later.

Still, Holtby is glad that the uncertainty surrounding the club's future direction has been put to bed.

The German said: "In football it's always very important that you have a structure and you have a plan, and it's good that we have these guys in now and, with everything they're showing us, we're trying to adapt as soon as possible."

PA