Tottenham sacked Frank after less than one seasonplaceholder image
Tottenham sacked Frank after less than one season | Getty Images
Tottenham are now searching for a new manager ahead of next week’s North London derby.
Tottenham Hotspur sacked manager Thomas Frank following a torrid run of form that has seen them drop within five points of the Premier League relegation zone. Spurs lost again on Tuesday night, losing at home to an out of form Newcastle United, and that proved to be the final straw for the Spurs board, who now have time to get their ducks in a row.
With Tottenham out of the FA Cup, they now have the weekend off plus a full week to prepare for the North London derby, and whether they have a permanent manager in by then or not, there will be time for whoever is in charge to work with the players ahead of - the club hope - achieving some sort of new manager or caretaker manager bounce in the derby.
But the question for now is, who will be in charge for the derby if there is no new manager found? With Spurs having seemingly decided overnight on Tuesday night that they could not keep Frank, with boos in the Newcastle game likely playing a central role, it’s unlikely there is a replacement even close to being identified.
Appointments typically take weeks when there is no pre-agreed deal, so it is not likely the new boss, whoever that may be, will be in charge for the Arsenal clash, though the gap does at least give Spurs an opportunity.
Who is in interim charge of Tottenham?
Following the sacking of Thomas Frank, Tottenham have not confirmed any caretaker managerial appointment, but they have charged assistant boss John Heitinga with taking training. Heitinga is assisted by Frank’s now former member of staff Justin Cochrane. The Sun have reported that Jurgen Klinsmann could be approached to take the interim job, but the current idea is to find a full-time managerial appointment, given there is time before that Arsenal game.
But as things stand, if there are no changes, Heitinga is the man in charge on the training ground, and if Spurs were to play Arsenal tomorrow, he would lead the team for the game.
What Tottenham said about the Frank sacking
In their official statement, Tottenham said: “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.”
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