Emmanuel Adebayor-Tim Sherwood
Emmanuel Adebayor celebrates his goal against Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the Europa League by saluting his manager Tim Sherwood. Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor is hoping that the club's hierarchy will not part ways with manager Tim Sherwood at the end of the season.

The 45-year-old was handed an 18-month contract after Spurs sacked Andre Villas-Boas following a terrible run of results in the Premier League.

However, Sherwood's future at White Hart Lane has been under clouds of speculation after failing to guide his side to a top-four finish this campaign.

Hopefully he stays. I will always keep him in my heart and I have a huge respect for him.
- Emmanuel Adebayor

In the recent months, Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino and Ajax's Frank de Boer have been rumoured to take over the managerial seat for the upcoming campaign.

However, Adebayor revealed his admiration for Sherwood while praising the Englishman's management skills and stated that he considers his manager as a friend.

"We will see what happens in the future. Hopefully he stays, but I am not the chairman of the club so I can't tell you anything about that. He respects everyone equally, and for me he is a great man and a great manager," Adebayor said.

"No matter where he goes, I will always keep him in my heart and I have a huge respect for him - as a manager, as a friend, as an ex-footballer, because he knows what it takes to be a footballer," he added.

Adebayor enjoyed a new lease of life at White Hart Lane following Villas-Boas' departure. The 30-year-old was exiled out of the squad by the former Chelsea boss and he could make only one substitute appearance when the 36-year-old Portuguese boss was in charge at White Hart Lane.

Since then, the Togolese international striker has made 20 appearances in the league, scoring 10 goals and contributing four assists in the process. Adebayor is keen on putting his troubled past behind him and is hopeful of enjoying the upcoming seasons with the north London club.

"I just want to forget the bad moments and look to the good ones and the good games I have played and learn from that, and work hard for the next season. Hopefully I will have a proper pre-season, because for the last three years I haven't had one," Adebayor said.

"It's very difficult for a player not to have a pre-season. I'm definitely looking forward to that one and hopefully this will lead to my best season ever. I have the quality and a big belief in myself. I know I can do it and I will do it," he concluded.

Tottenham Hotspur FC