Tottenham Hotspur boss Tim Sherwood has revealed that even his family believed rumours on Twitter that he hit one of his players.

Rumours on the social media site spread following Spurs' 4-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool last week that Sherwood had struck one of his players in a dressing room bust-up.

However, those allegations proved to be false, with the manager adamant that his relationship with the players is fine.

Sherwood told reporters: "They have been great. I haven't got a problem with the players. It was incredible the way that it gathered so much pace.

"I was getting family and friends texting me saying: 'Why did you do it?' They didn't say: 'Did you??' It was all 'Who did you hit? Who did you hit?!'

"But the players know I want the best for the club. And that helps them out because it means I want the best for them. I am not going to suffer fools though. That is the way I manage."

Tottenham face Sunderland at White Hart Lane later today.