Oh Thomas Frank, what went so wrong at Tottenham Hotspur?
Coming from Brentford, where he has enjoyed a long and highly successful career, Spurs fans were hopeful he could transfer his skills across the city. However, that was far from the case.
Things started off well. The Lilywhites looked much more resolute defensively in their first competitive match in charge, a 2-0 win against European champions PSG.
In fact, Frank’s team kept five clean sheets in the next seven games after the Super Cup defeat. But in recent months, everything has unraveled beautifully.
The Dane left North London with the lowest winning percentage (36%) of any permanent Spurs manager. He also failed to win the Premier League in 2026, leaving the club just five points outside the relegation zone. Change had to happen.
Latest updates on Spurs’ search for new manager
A number of head coaching vacancies are already being touted across Europe, but the first decision Spurs must make is whether to opt for a long-term appointment now or appoint an interim manager, as Manchester United did with Michael Carrick.
Manager win rate with Spurs in PL | |
|---|---|
1) antonio conte | 57% |
2) Mauricio Pochettino | 56% |
3) Nuno Santo | 50% |
4) Jose Mourinho | 47% |
5) Ange Postecoglou | 41% |
6) thomas frank | 27% |
If they go down that path, John Heitinga remains an option on the coaching staff, with former striker Robbie Keane also being touted as a romantic return to Tottenham.
If they go the permanent route, Roberto De Zerbi will become a free agent after leaving Ligue 1 side Marseille earlier this week. He has been on Spurs’ radar for some time.
But, unsurprisingly, the name on everyone’s lips is Mauricio Pochettino. Supporters were singing the Argentine’s name on Tuesday night as Frank was overseeing his final game in the Spurs hotseat against Newcastle. They all want him back at Spurs.
Well, there’s a good chance it will happen, but they’ll have to bide their time. On Wednesday, reports emerged that the club had already been in “informal contact” with manager Pochettino about his return, but it is unlikely that he will arrive any time soon.
That’s because the 53-year-old is currently in charge of the United States national team and will lead them at their home World Cup this summer.
However, the Telegraph later reported that “Pochettino has made it clear he would jump at the chance to manage Tottenham again.”
In fact, their sources even stated that the former PSG manager would “walk back to the club” once the World Cup is over. It’s an exciting time, but could it be too late? Relegation is very likely at this point.
Why Pochettino could be Spurs’ Mikel Arteta
It feels like the entire Premier League is trying to replicate Arsenal’s success in recent years.
The FA Cup may be the only trophy that reflects Mikel Arteta’s hard work during his six years with the Gunners, but he is a great example of patience for a young manager. Manchester United tried that with Ruben Amorim and look how it turned out.
Like Amorim, the Spaniard’s first full time in charge at the Emirates did not go well. They finished 8th in the Premier League. It would have been easy to pull the trigger and fire him, but what he’s accomplished since then is truly amazing.
The pecking order at the Emirates Stadium has stuck with him and the 43-year-old has taken them to heights not seen at Arsenal for more than 20 years. Arteta’s side look poised to become the first Arsenal side to win the Premier League title since the Invincibles in 2003-04. You can also earn some more silverware along the way.
2025/26 All current Premier League managers ranked
We’ve ranked all current Premier League managers from best to worst.
What we are saying here is that Arteta has achieved progress that no manager at Spurs has achieved over the years.
They have a swanky training center and a perfect new stadium, but the football played on the pitch has been terrible for years. In Pochettino, they will find themselves in Arteta, a manager who can take Spurs to new heights, just as the Spaniard has done across north London.
The Argentine tactician, a “genius” in the words of Sky Sports’ Joe Tomlinson, achieved success in his first spell that few Spurs managers have ever achieved.
Like Arteta, he arrived in the English capital with little experience but became a revelation, guiding his team to four successive top-four finishes, primarily by employing a 4-2-3-1 system.
Spurs are in the Champions League this season thanks to winning the Europa League, but Antonio Conte is the only manager since Pochettino to finish in the top four in 2021-22.
But even more impressive was how they performed at Europe’s top table. They may have reached the Champions League final under Pochettino and Ange Postecoglou may have actually won the European trophy, but no Spurs team has come close to doing well under Pochettino.
Like Arteta, he has used his principles to take the Lilywhites to heights not seen in recent decades. Perhaps it’s time to wind back the clock? Let’s just hope Spurs don’t get relegated before they have a chance to bring the fan favorite back to English football.
Perfect fit for Simmons: Spurs in talks to hire Pochettino replacement in 3-4-2-1
Tottenham finally sacked manager Thomas Frank on Wednesday amid growing relegation fears.
