Tottenham's Thomas Frank replacement plan means perfect Mauricio Pochettino solution

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Tottenham Hotspur may consider installing John Heitinga on a temporary basis until the campaign concludes, before bringing Mauricio Pochettino back to north London this summer after dismissing Thomas Frank.

Frank, 52, was relieved of his duties by Spurs on Wednesday morning after a disappointing spell which saw the club go eight Premier League fixtures without a win. Consequently, the Lilywhites dropped to as low as 16th in the table, just five points above the drop zone with 12 matches left in 2025/26.

An official club statement said: "The club has taken the decision to make a change in the men's head coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today. Thomas was appointed in June 2025, and we have been determined to give him the time and support needed to build for the future together.

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"However, results and performances have led the Board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary. Throughout his time at the club, Thomas has conducted himself with unwavering commitment, giving everything in his efforts to move the club forward. We would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him every success in the future."

As a result, the club are now searching for a replacement for the Dane before Spurs' North London Derby against Arsenal next weekend, with several candidates being touted for the vacant position. Whilst Roberto De Zerbi has been mentioned in connection with the position , having left Marseille by mutual consent on Wednesday morning, Spurs may choose to adopt a similar strategy to Manchester United by appointing an interim head coach for the rest of the campaign.

That would essentially enable the club to review their options before 2026/27, and possibly bring back Pochettino following this summer's World Cup. The Argentine has reportedly expressed interest in a return to north London, with a source telling TEAMtalk: "For Poch, Spurs is a pull that's too strong to ignore."

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Nevertheless, a switch before the World Cup appears virtually impossible given the US National team would be entitled to "one of the biggest financial compensation fees in football history" to release him.

That could leave the Spurs hierarchy considering appointing a temporary head coach in the meantime, before securing Pochettino once this summer's tournament in North America concludes. Heitinga is presently the odds-on favourite to assume a short-term position at Tottenham , having joined the club as Frank's assistant coach last month.

Given his limited track record in management, though, the club might be hesitant about handing him the position until the season's conclusion - particularly amid a relegation scrap. Following a two-year period with Jong Ajax and a short-term caretaker stint with the senior side in 2023, Heitinga was given the top job at the Eredivisie heavyweights in 2025.

He remained in that position for just five months before being dismissed in November after a poor Champions League campaign, joining forces with Frank shortly afterwards.

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