Surprise man tipped for Tottenham job after Thomas Frank sack amid Mauricio Pochettino admission

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Michael Dawson has insisted that Robbie Keane should be considered for the role of Tottenham Hotspur head coach following Thomas Frank's sacking . The 52-year-old was dismissed by the Lilywhites on Wednesday morning after a disastrous period which saw Spurs unable to secure even one victory across eight Premier League fixtures.

Frank's fate seemed sealed following a devastating 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Tuesday night, as a wave of jeers echoed throughout the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. While Frank maintained hope that he would retain his position ahead of next Sunday's North London derby , the club had different intentions for the head coach who had been in post for merely eight months.

An official club statement confirming his exit read: "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.

"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."

Consequently, several candidates have been linked with the now-empty Tottenham manager's position, with Roberto De Zerbi , Mauricio Pochettino and Oliver Glasner all mentioned in speculation. However, Spurs could choose to mirror Manchester United's approach and appoint an interim head coach until the season concludes before reviewing their options this summer.

Should that scenario unfold, club legend Dawson says that it is abundantly clear who will be the next man to assume control of the Lilywhites on a permanent basis. Speaking on Sky Sports News , the former centre-back said: "They've got a huge decision to make.

"I hear everyone talking about an interim - we don't know. We don't know if it's going to be an interim. If that happens, I think there's only one manager they're waiting for and it has to be Pochettino in the summer."

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However, if it is a permanent appointment straight away, Dawson knows who he would put forward for the job. He added: "Or do they go and get someone now? And people are saying; 'Well, who will that be?' For me, there's someone there in the making, someone who knows the football club, someone who's got the passion, played for the club, loves it, will galvanise everyone and bring them in the right direction moving forward and that's Robbie Keane for me."

Dawson did, nevertheless, acknowledge there could be an obstacle in tempting Keane back to north London, considering he is presently enjoying success in Hungary. He added: "I can't imagine that, leaving Ferencvaros.

"Joint-top of the league, in the knockout stages for the Europa League , so you think - I don't know too many managers who would leave when they've got a contract there to go for an interim. But why not give it him on a permanent basis? They've tried Jose, they've tried [Antonio] Conte , they've tried Thomas Frank."

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A Tottenham legend who understands the club intimately, Keane netted 122 goals in 306 appearances across two separate spells with Spurs before transitioning into management in 2018. In his developing coaching career to date, the Irishman has held a player-manager position with ATK, assistant roles with the Republic of Ireland, Middlesbrough and Leeds United , and head coaching positions with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ferencvaros.

Considering that Ferencvaros currently sit top of the Nemzeti Bajnokság I table, it's unclear whether he would contemplate leaving his current club to assist in dragging Spurs out of a relegation fight. Meanwhile, the club already have John Heitinga available, who could step into the breach for the rest of the campaign having served as an assistant to Frank since January.

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