Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that manager Tim Sherwood has left the club.

The 45-year-old took charge of the team on an 18-month contract in December following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas.

However, a failure to qualify for the Champions League has seen the former midfielder exit White Hart Lane with immediate effect.

Spurs secured a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League table on Sunday with a 3-0 win over Aston Villa.

Chairman Daniel Levy told the club's official website: "We appointed Tim mid-season as someone who knew both the players and the club. We agreed an 18-month contract with a break clause at the end of the season and we have now exercised that option.

"On behalf of the club, I should like to state our thanks for all his efforts during his years with us. We wish him great success in his managerial career.

"Moving forward, now the season is over, we shall embark on the process of finding a new head coach. We have a talented squad and exciting young players coming through. We need to build on this season, develop our potential and inspire the kind of performances that we associate with our great club."

Sherwood has been named among the early favourites to take over at Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion following Oscar Garcia's resignation on Monday.