Quick Read
- Tottenham Hotspur sacked manager Thomas Frank on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, after an eight-game Premier League winless streak.
- Assistant coach John Heitinga, appointed just four weeks ago, has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Frank, with odds of 8/11.
- Heitinga took first-team training on Wednesday and is expected to take interim charge if a permanent manager isn’t found before the February 22 North London Derby.
- The club is currently 16th in the Premier League, five points above the relegation zone.
- Heitinga has previous managerial experience as interim and permanent head coach at Ajax, and assistant roles at West Ham and Liverpool.
LONDON (Azat TV) – John Heitinga, who joined Tottenham Hotspur as an assistant coach just four weeks ago, has rapidly ascended to become a leading candidate to replace Thomas Frank as the club’s permanent manager. Frank was sacked on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, following a disastrous run of results that left the North London club languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, merely five points above the relegation zone.
The decision to dismiss Frank came after Tottenham’s 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle the previous night, marking an eight-game winless streak in the Premier League. The club released a statement confirming Frank’s departure, thanking him for his unwavering commitment during his tenure, which began in June 2025.
Heitinga’s Swift Rise Amidst Tottenham’s Search
The swiftness of Heitinga’s emergence as a top contender highlights the immediate need for stability and direction at Tottenham. Betting markets quickly reflected this shift, with Heitinga’s odds shortening to 8/11 to take the permanent role, leapfrogging Roberto de Zerbi, who was initially the favourite, according to Betting.Betfair.com. Heitinga, a 42-year-old Dutchman, notably took first-team training on Wednesday morning following Frank’s dismissal, signaling his immediate involvement in the club’s transition.
Tottenham faces a crucial North London Derby against Arsenal in just 12 days, on February 22. Reports suggest that if a permanent manager is not appointed by then, Heitinga is highly likely to be placed in interim charge. This potential short-term appointment could extend until the end of the season, giving him an opportunity to impress and potentially secure the role on a permanent basis, as reported by The Times and Yahoo Sports.
John Heitinga’s Managerial Background
Despite his recent appointment as assistant, John Heitinga brings significant managerial experience to the table. He previously served as an interim manager at Eredivisie club Ajax for the latter half of the 2022-23 season before being appointed permanent head coach ahead of the 2025-26 season. However, his tenure at Ajax concluded in mid-December last year after the club suffered four consecutive Champions League defeats, leaving them 36th in the league stage table. His return to the Premier League prior to joining Tottenham included assistant managerial stints at West Ham United in 2023-24 and at Liverpool last season, where he assisted head coach Arne Slot. Slot spoke highly of Heitinga, describing him as ‘talented’ and sharing the same ‘idea about football.’
Other Candidates for the Tottenham Managerial Position
While John Heitinga has quickly become the frontrunner, other prominent names remain in consideration for the Tottenham hot seat. Roberto de Zerbi, the former Brighton boss, was initially installed as the 8/11 favourite but has seen his odds lengthen to 6/4. De Zerbi became available after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract with Marseille following a heavy 5-0 defeat to Paris SG. He was previously on Tottenham’s shortlist when they sought a replacement for Postecoglou last summer, with Fabio Paratici reportedly favouring him.
Other managers mentioned in the betting markets and linked with the role include current Fulham manager Marco Silva (15/2), former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino (9/1), and former Spurs favourite Robbie Keane (10/1), who is currently managing Hungarian side Ferencvaros. Ex-Barcelona talisman Xavi Hernandez and ex-Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim have also been mentioned as potential appointments, highlighting the breadth of options Tottenham is reportedly considering.
The rapid elevation of an internal candidate like John Heitinga to leading contender status, despite his very recent arrival, underscores the urgent and potentially pragmatic approach Tottenham Hotspur is taking to navigate a critical period. This move suggests a desire for immediate operational continuity and a reliance on existing club knowledge, rather than a prolonged external search, as the club faces a precarious league position and an impending crucial derby.