On Wednesday morning, the news many Tottenham Hotspur supporters had been waiting for finally arrived. It was confirmed at around 10am that manager Thomas Frank had been sacked after only 38 matches in charge, having won only 13.
Frank's final game in the job was Tuesday's comprehensive 2-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle, in which the Magpies dominated throughout, mustering 21 shots and accumulating an xG of 2.48. This means Spurs have still failed to win any of their eight Premier League matches in 2026, claiming victory from just two of their last 17 outings. The Lilywhites are thereby only five points above the relegation zone, leading to genuine fears that their 48-year stay in the top division could come to a end.
With a week and a half until Tottenham's next fixture, the small matter of a North London derby against league-leaders Arsenal, full focus will be on who the hierarchy appoint as Frank's successor. Former bosses Tim Sherwood and Harry Redknapp have thrown their hat into the ring to takeover on an interim basis, so could a short-term solution be required?
Many Spurs supporters dream of seeing Mauricio Pochettino return to the club. Between 2014 and 2019, the Argentine oversaw the club's most successful period of modern times. Tottenham enjoyed four straight top four finishes in the Premier League, as well as reaching an EFL Cup Final and the Champions League Final in 2019.
Speaking in a recent interview alongside long-time assistant Jesús Pérez, Pochettino stated that his dream is to win both the Premier League and Champions League as a coach, and has intimated many times previously that he would relish a return to N17. However, as United States head coach, he will not be available until after the World Cup in July. Well, Spurs possibly cannot afford to wait, given their current perilous predicament, so should they target a new permanent manager now?
Who Tottenham should target instead of waiting for Pochettino
On Wednesday morning, Tottenham were not the only European heavyweights changing management. Over in France, Olympique de Marseille confirmed that they had parted company with their head coach Roberto De Zerbi by mutual consent. The Italian leaves the French Riviera after Sunday's humiliating 5-0 demolition in Le Classique against PSG, after OM also failed to reach the Champions League knockout phase. So, why would he be a good fit for Tottenham?
Roberto De Zerbi's managerial career statistics
Clubs | Matches | Win % | Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
Foggia | 90 | 53.33% | |
Palermo | 13 | 7.69% | |
Benevento | 29 | 20.69% | |
Sassuolo | 120 | 35.83% | 8th in Serie A |
Shakhtar Donetsk | 30 | 66.67% | 1st Ukrainian PL |
Brighton | 89 | 42.70% | 6th in PL |
Marseille | 69 | 56.52% | 2nd in Ligue 1 |
As De Zerbi's career statistic underline, he rarely lasts a long time at a club, but often has a big impact. In the Premier League, he led Brighton to an FA Cup semi-final and their highest-ever top-flight finish of sixth, thereby guiding the Seagulls into Europe for the very first time.
Also, the Italian is known for his attacking, high-intensity, all or nothing style of play. Well, after years of drab football under José Mourinho, Antonio Conte and now Frank, this is surely something Spurs supporters would relish, transporting back to the early days of Ange Postecoglou's tenure.
While the Pochettino dream remains what most supporters desire, Tottenham simply need to appoint someone right now. They cannot afford to drift. Thus, given the fact that De Zerbi has become available just as Spurs search for a new head coach, it would be frankly neglectful if CEO Vinai Venkatesham didn't at least have a conversation with the out of work Italian.