Sherwood told the
Telegraph: "Truth be known, if Tottenham had had their way ... then Harry Kane would not have been Harry Kane today, because he would have been on loan at a Championship club to gain even more experience. And he would not have got his opportunity to play for Tottenham.
"The rest is history as far as he is concerned.
"The players on offer were not going to make us any better. If you would have said we could have had Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo then I might have taken them on," the 45-year-old said with a wry smile.
"But I decided it was right to give youth the opportunity at Tottenham, Harry Kane being one of those players."
He also went on to give tips to Mauricio Pochettino or any other manager who finds themselves with Emmanuel Adebayor in the team, insisting the Togolese player needs to be made to feel special.
He said: "The Adebayor I know is someone with immense quality, and drive and desire. I'm not sure he wanted to leave Tottenham in this [transfer] window.
"I made him feel like he was the main man. My brief when I took over as the manager of Tottenham was to try and make the team a little be more attractive and score more goals.
"With the players I had at my disposal he was the best suited to bring back into the fold. He had been pushed to the side somewhat by the previous manager. It was an easy one ... in terms of motivation ... to get him back and want him to prove a point. He was fantastic.
"Around the training ground he was a credit, and a good example to the likes of Harry Kane and the young players who were coming through the club. He always conducted himself fantastically well."