Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas says an awkward decision awaits Tim Sherwood should the Spurs coach be approached to become the new manager of Blackburn Rovers.

Steve Kean resigned as Blackburn boss on Friday, despite the side making good progress in their bid to make an immediate return to the Premier League after last term’s relegation.

Reports on Saturday claimed Kean, who had endured a hate campaign from Rovers fans before and after the club’s relegation, felt his position was untenable because Blackburn’s Indian owners were attempting to influence his team selection.

Sherwood, a member of Spurs’ coaching set-up for the past four years, was immediately installed as the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Kean at Ewood Park on account of having been Blackburn’s captain when they won the Premier League title in 1995.

That was despite the 43-year-old Sherwood having only recently signed a new Spurs contract.

Villas-Boas, speaking after his side’s stunning 3-2 against Manchester United in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Saturday, said: “I can’t comment on the Blackburn situation because I have Steve Kean as a friend and I respect him.

“But if Tim is a candidate, he has to make a personal decision and speak to the club.”

In Kean’s absence, his assistant Eric Black was in charge for the 1-1 Championship draw away to London club Charlton on Saturday.