Inside Tottenham’s search for new manager to replace Thomas Frank as ex-Premier League bosses eyed

Tottenham have sacked Thomas Frank and the search is already on to find a replacement.

The Spurs hierarchy has been preparing for a change in head coach since the start of the year and pulled the trigger after a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle.

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It leaves them 16th in the Premier League and fighting for their survival in the top flight.

talkSPORT understands that the ultimate decision to sack Frank was taken by the younger members of the Lewis family – the owners of Tottenham.

Spurs now have a huge decision to make, whether to go with an interim or hire a permanent replacement straight away.

They have 11 days until their next match… the north London derby with Arsenal at home.

Remarkably, the players have been given five days off as they do not play in the FA Cup this weekend.

By the time they return to training there could be a new man in the dugout.

Roberto De Zerbi

The timing could work out perfectly for Spurs trying to land De Zerbi.

The Italian coach left Marseille on Tuesday night just hours before Frank was axed by Spurs on Wednesday morning.

De Zerbi is another person who was approached by the Spurs hierarchy before Ange Postecoglou was hired, and again before they chose Frank.

However, he was reluctant to work under former sporting director Fabio Paratici or ex-chairman Daniel Levy.

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Now Paratici has left the club, De Zerbi would be more open to the job in north London.

Giving his verdict, Jordan added: “Well De Zerbi… have some fun with him.

“The fact that he doesn’t want to work for Daniel Levy or doesn’t want to work for Paratici, but we’ll work with this group… 

“I don’t think he has the qualifications or attributes that I think that will make Tottenham into the thing that they said that they want to make, but have been running it behind the scenes for 25 years.”

Andoni Iraola

The Bournemouth boss is out of contract at the end of the season and has long been admired by people at Tottenham.

Iraola even turned down Spurs in the summer before Thomas Frank was hired.

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The Spaniard has won many fans in the Premier League by getting Bournemouth punching above their weight.

However, talkSPORT sources have played down any interest from Iraola in the job.

Mauricio Pochettino

Any emotional reunion for Pochettino back to north London has long been mooted.

talkSPORT understands that Poch would be open to going back to Spurs after the World Cup.

He is set to lead the USA at a home tournament this summer, but could then leave his role when his contract ends.

Spurs fans were chanting the name of Pochettino on Tuesday night during Frank’s final game in charge.

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John Heitinga (interim)

The former Liverpool coach, and Everton defender, is already at the club.

The 42-year-old was hired as first team assistant coach in January, with Frank being sacked a month later.

Heitinga was recently sacked by Ajax after a disastrous five months in charge, picking up just five wins in 15.

Ryan Mason (interim)

Tottenham will have to decide on whether to go for an interim manager or permanent hire straight away.

If they choose the former, then someone like Ryan Mason could be an option.

The 34-year-old has twice been interim Spurs boss and has recent managerial experience with West Brom.

He lasted only 29 games with the Baggies before being sacked in January, but is someone who knows the club.

However, former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan sarcastically rejected the idea of him coming in.

Speaking on White and Jordan, he said: “I think they’ll get the guy from West Brom, who put West Brom in a relegation zone. That would be a good solution…”

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Harry Redknapp (interim)

Give it to ‘Arry for the rest of the season? As far-fetched as it sounds some fans want to see him go back to the club.

Former Spurs defender Jamie O’Hara told The Sports Bar: “I would genuinely be on the phone to Harry Redknapp. I genuinely would. Short-term.

“Take us through to the end of the season. Dig us out of a hole. Get these players playing some football. Get these players fighting for the badge.”

However, Redknapp quickly downplayed that idea, baulking at the idea of facing Arsenal.

He told talkSPORT Breakfast: “Oh my God, North London Derby, what a hard game, what a hard game to pick up a result. If you’re playing anybody at the moment, you wouldn’t want to be playing Arsenal if your life depends on it.”

Rangers legend Ally McCoist joked that he’d be safer riding his horse Jukebox Man at Cheltenham than taking over at Spurs.

Ally McCoist joked: “Harry, I think to be honest, I’d advise you to be jumping and I mean riding on the Jukebox Man jumping over the last. That’s a safer option, mate.”