Tottenham Hotspur are no longer keen on hiring Eddie Howe
Once again, all eyes are on the Tottenham bench, not for tactics or substitutions, but for the vacant seat left by Ange Postecoglou’s surprise dismissal. With the dust barely settled on their Europa League triumph, Spurs find themselves navigating the chaotic terrain of the coaching market. The search for a successor is underway, and as ever, it’s being shaped by a swirl of rumours, speculation, and swift rejections. But beneath the noise, there are signs of a subtle but significant change in the club’s approach to leadership.
According to BBC Sport journalist Sami Mokbel, the frontrunner in this unfolding saga is Thomas Frank, the architect behind Brentford’s steady Premier League presence. The Danish coach has become the leading candidate to take over at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while other names, including Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe, have already faded from the picture. Mokbel reports that any potential interest in Howe was “nipped in the bud,” likely due to his firm footing at St James’ Park and the broader ambitions of Newcastle’s Saudi-backed sporting project. Fulham boss Marco Silva also remains in the conversation, but his public commitment to Craven Cottage complicates matters.
Yet, the choice of Frank, and the brief consideration of Howe, reveals more than just managerial preferences. It points to a recalibration of the club’s identity. Tottenham, still searching for consistency since Mauricio Pochettino’s departure, appear ready to move away from short-term solutions and big-name experiments. Instead, there is a growing appetite for a coach who fits a deeper, more methodical rebuild.
Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s Champions League architect, was briefly considered by Tottenham to replace Ange Postecoglou, but Brentford’s Thomas Frank remains the frontrunner for the Spurs hotseat.
Thomas Frank embodies that ethos. At Brentford, he has fostered a competitive side with modest resources and no superstars, relying instead on structure, data-driven recruitment, and tactical cohesion. It’s a blueprint built on patience, not pressure, a quality Spurs now seem to value after years of turbulence. Postecoglou’s European success proved that belief in a process can pay off, even when domestic struggles threaten to obscure it. Frank offers continuity in that philosophy.
Eddie Howe, while also a symbol of long-term thinking, now belongs to a different reality, one where financial muscle and continental ambitions shape the narrative. The gap between that world and Tottenham’s current project may have proven too wide to bridge.
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Refusing to try to sign Howe does not mean that Tottenham have less ambition. It could be a more sensible interpretation: recognising that Newcastle have managed to secure their manager, and that going after him would be a waste of time. Instead, going after Frank means acting pragmatically. The Dane is not only accessible, he has also shown that he can work with fewer resources and build a competitive team. Marco Silva also has merits, but his public statements indicate that he is not available, which reduces the options. Tottenham need someone with clear ideas and the ability to establish an identity, and Frank seems to fit that profile.
The simple fact that Howe was considered, albeit briefly, makes it clear that Tottenham are still aiming high. However, the contrast with the current names on the list reveals that the process is still open and that the board is evaluating different profiles. Perhaps they are not just looking for a coach, but a builder. In the end, all this may indicate a more profound review of the club’s structure. And perhaps the most interesting thing is to think of another approach: that the interest in Howe was more of a communication strategy than a real one, a way of gauging the mood, comparing reactions, and then leaning towards a coach who represents stability without so much external noise.