Tottenham decided to sack Thomas Frank as the head coach after the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United.
Thomas Frank was relieved of his duties as Tottenham Hotspur head coach on Wednesday morning. The board made the decision after the Lilywhites were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle United at home, extending their winless run in the Premier League to eight games.
While the Dane enjoyed great success in the Champions League and guided them to the club’s last-16, Tottenham are currently in a perilous position in the Premier League. He has left the club with Spurs 16th in the table on 29 points, just five points above the relegation zone.
Thomas Frank has been under tremendous pressure for several weeks, even months, with the north Londoners winless in the league in 2026. With games coming thick and fast, the atmosphere becoming toxic at home, and the fans turning on him, the Tottenham board decided to pull the plug on the 52-year-old.
Ben Jacobs reveals Tottenham owners wanted to give Thomas Frank time
Reputed journalist Ben Jacobs has now come up with more information on Frank’s sacking. He has revealed that the club tried to give Frank time to turn things around, but things became “untenable”.
*“Club tried to give Frank time, but the situation became untenable,*” Ben Jacobs said on X.
“Decision made by Spurs’ leadership team, including Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange, and recommended to the board. Nick Beucher also involved and active on behalf of the Lewis family, even though he doesn’t sit on the board.”
As per Jacobs, there are three outstanding candidates appreciated by the Spurs board – Roberto De Zerbi, Mauricio Pochettino and Andoni Iraola, while Frank’s recently-hired assistant John Heitinga remains could be an option for the interim role.
More on Thomas Frank's Spurs sacking. Club tried to give Frank time, but the situation became untenable.
Decision made by Spurs' leadership team, including Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange, and recommended to the board.
Nick Beucher also involved and active on behalf of the… pic.twitter.com/OWULjBJfMY
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) February 11, 2026
“Spurs have various contingency plans in place, including potential interim options,” he added.
“Mauricio Pochettino is a candidate for the permanent vacancy, but is not available until after the World Cup. Roberto De Zerbi and Andoni Iraola both appreciated by Daniel Levy before his departure, and turned down approaches back then.
“Frank’s recently-hired assistant John Heitinga remains contracted, as it stands.”
De Zerbi is currently a free agent after terminating his contract at Marseille with immediate effect, less than 24 hours before Frank was shown the door, while Pochettino and Iraola manage the United States and Bournemouth, respectively. Pochettino and Iraola will be available in the summer when their contracts with their respective institutions expire.
If the board take the interim path, Heitinga could get the keys to the club until the end of the season. Giving the job to Heitinga will not only help freshen things up around N17 but also give more time to the hierarchy to find a permanent option as Frank’s replacement.