Who are the potential replacements for Frank as Tottenham’s head coach?
Tottenham Hotspur have initiated their search for a new manager following the dismissal of Thomas Frank on Wednesday morning, which came after a 2-1 home loss to Newcastle the previous night.
Similar to Manchester United and several other prominent clubs this season, sources have informed ESPN that Spurs are looking for an interim coach to lead the team until the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, after which they plan to appoint a more established manager for the next term. Additionally, there remains a season to salvage: Spurs’ decline in the league has left them in 16th place, only five points above the relegation zone.
Furthermore, there is the challenge of the Champions League knockout stages to address, with Spurs finishing fourth in the league phase — securing five victories from eight matches — which qualifies them directly for the Round of 16.
– Olley: Spurs job was too big for Frank, but club’s issues go deeper
But who will Spurs consider for both the immediate and summer roles? We examine their potential candidates.
Mauricio Pochettino
Current job: USMNT manager
Previously managed: Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea
The conditions may finally be favorable for Pochettino to make a return to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, five years after his initial departure from the club. Pochettino is set to lead the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup they are co-hosting this summer, but he does not have a contract extending beyond this summer, and sources have indicated to ESPN that he is eager to return to club management.
Tottenham, for their part, are interested in bringing Pochettino back. The Argentine manager oversaw some of the most successful years in the club’s history, leading them on an exhilarating journey to the 2019 Champions League final, where they were defeated 2-0 by Liverpool. He also guided the club to the League Cup final in 2015. This squad, featuring players like Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min, Mousa Dembélé, Jan Vertonghen, and Toby Alderweireld, remains highly regarded among the club’s supporters.
Sources have informed ESPN that Pochettino would be receptive to returning to Tottenham if the appropriate conditions are established.
Roberto Di Zerbi
Current job: Unemployed
Previously managed: Sassuolo, Shakhtar Donetsk, Brighton & Hove Albion, Marseille (among others)
The pool of elite coaches available during the season is typically limited, but the timing may favor Spurs. Roberto De Zerbi, who has previously found success with Brighton, departed his position as Marseille manager on Tuesday.
Spurs have faced challenges in attracting coaches in the past — the club attempted to recruit Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola last summer, only for him to decline their offer — but sources have indicated to ESPN that De Zerbi is interested in the position. The Italian manager is still held in high regard at Tottenham and was previously sought after by the club’s recently departed sporting director, Fabio Paratici.
Marco Silva
Current job: Fulham manager
Previously managed: Estoril, Sporting CP, Olympiacos, Hull City, Watford, Everton
Marco Silva has established Fulham as a consistent mid-table team in recent seasons — this season, they currently sit in 12th place, maintaining a similar trend. However, his contract is set to expire this summer, and he has yet to sign an extension. He is expected to be considered for the Tottenham position.
“We have Marco Silva, who’s done a fantastic job coaching this team, and I love working with Marco. This squad is doing incredibly well,” Fulham vice chairman Tony Kahn stated to British radio station TalkSport last week.
“I have a great relationship with Marco. I love working with Marco, and I absolutely want Marco to be here for a long time. I think he will be, and I believe that.
“We’ve had a lot to do, and we’ve just had a great recent signing that we spent a lot of time on… we’re all very aligned as a club, working together. I absolutely believe the way we’re all working together and the way we all enjoy it.
Oliver Glasner
Current job: Crystal Palace manager
Previously managed: SV Josko Ried, LASK Linz, VfL Wolfsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt
Oliver Glasner has exceeded expectations at Crystal Palace — he won the FA Cup last season, securing European football for the first time in the club’s history — but unlike Silva, his future is already determined: He will definitely depart when his contract concludes this summer.
Glasner has publicly (and repeatedly) voiced his frustrations regarding Palace’s transfer activities this season, expressing dissatisfaction with the departures of Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze. The manager himself will follow them out of Selhurst Park in search of a new opportunity, although his next destination remains uncertain.
Like Silva, Glasner will also be among the candidates for the position in north London.
Andoni Iraola
Current job: AFC Bournemouth manager
Previously managed: AEK Larnaca, Mirandés, Rayo Vallecano
The list of managers previously associated with Tottenham is extensive. Near the top of that list last summer was Bournemouth’s Iraola, who has played a pivotal role in the south coast club’s promising campaign. The Spanish coach declined their offer last summer, leading Tottenham to pursue Frank instead. The club would be cautious about repeating that mistake.
Robbie Keane
Current job: Ferencváros manager
Previously managed: Maccabi Tel-Aviv
Manchester United are contemplating whether to appoint one of their former players, and Tottenham may consider doing the same. Michael Carrick made 464 appearances for Man United between 2006 and 2018 before returning to Old Trafford, first as a first-team coach and then, last month, as interim manager, winning his first four matches in charge.
Tottenham will evaluate Robbie Keane for a position in their coaching staff. The former Republic of Ireland striker had two stints at the club, scoring 122 goals in 306 appearances and would serve as a connection to the past. However, Keane is not a free agent like Carrick was: he took over at Hungarian club Ferencváros in January 2025, achieving 22 victories in 37 matches across all competitions, including a run to the Europa League knockout stages. Nevertheless, his other managerial experience is limited to a year-long term at Maccabi Tel-Aviv and various assistant coaching roles at Leeds United, Middlesbrough, and Ireland.
John Heitinga
Current job: Tottenham assistant coach
Previously managed: Ajax
Heitinga joined Tottenham just as Frank’s situation was deteriorating. The Dutch coach became part of Frank’s staff only three weeks ago, even as fans increasingly called for the manager’s dismissal. Heitinga could be well-positioned to take charge of the club on an interim basis.
He has previously served in an interim role for Ajax in 2023, where he won 14 of his 22 matches. His performance was sufficient to earn him his first full-time managerial position at the club in May 2025, but his tenure did not go as planned. He lasted only five months and departed the club at the bottom of the Champions League group stage.
Ryan Mason
Current job: Unemployed
Previously managed: Tottenham Hotspur (interim, twice) West Bromwich Albion
Could this be a case of third time’s a charm? Mason has already stepped in as Spurs interim manager on two occasions in 2021 and 2023 — the first time he became the youngest coach (29) in Premier League history, taking over from Jose Mourinho just in time for a Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City.
Coincidentally, Mason is a free agent again, just as Spurs are searching for their latest temporary appointment. At 34 years old, Mason remains a young coach. He is familiar with the club as a former player, having come through the academy and spent eight years in the first team before his career was cut short due to a fractured skull sustained in a January 2017 match against Chelsea.
His previous interim roles were brief — he managed seven games the first time and six games the second time. Since then, he has spent six months in charge at Championship side West Bromwich Albion before being dismissed after just 27 matches.
