Tottenham next manager: Mauricio Pochettino, former Spurs captain, and Chelsea-linked coach all under consideration

Tottenham are discussing whether to hire a permanent manager or wait until summer, talkSPORT understands.

Roberto De Zerbi, Mauricio Pochettino, Robbie Keane and Francesco Farioli are among the contenders to replace Thomas Frank.

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Sources in the aftermath of Frank’s departure had suggested an interim could be put in place until summer.

This remains a realistic possibility, but talkSPORT understands a permanent mid-season appointment has not yet been ruled out.

Although chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange are being billed as leading the process to replace Frank, talkSPORT has learned Nick Beucher, Tavistock co-chief executive and Joe Lewis’s grandson-in-law, and non-executive chairman Peter Charrington are also both involved in the process.

De Zerbi is keen on a move back to the Premier League after leaving Marseille on Tuesday. The exit was billed as a mutual parting of ways following Marseille’s 5-0 loss to PSG.

But talkSPORT understands De Zerbi resigned in January, only for Marseille’s leadership team to persuade him to stay on. The former Brighton boss was always expected to depart in the summer and his February exit was very much driven by the 46-year-old.

De Zerbi is likely to also be on the Manchester United shortlist, and could be a candidate for Manchester City as well if Pep Guardiola departs this summer.

The Italian was approached by Spurs before Frank was hired, but decided against the role. The move at the time was driven by Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici, who have both since left the club, yet De Zerbi still has support within Spurs.

talkSPORT understands De Zerbi is expected in London this week and face-to-face talks have not been ruled out by senior figures at Spurs.

Poch to make a return?

Former Spurs manager Pochettino is another leading contender and would be a popular choice with fans, who sang his name in Tottenham’s 2-1 loss to Newcastle on Tuesday night.

Sources close to Pochettino insist he will not leave the United States national team before the 2026 World Cup.

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Pochettino told talkSPORT in a recent interview that he has unfinished business in the Premier League.

It is understood that he would have no hesitation in returning to north London if offered the Spurs job, and still has a house in Kensington.

Who else is in the running?

Ex-Tottenham forward Keane recently signed a contract extension at Ferencvaros and has been linked with Premier League vacancies in the past, as well as Celtic.

Keane made over 300 appearances for Spurs in two spells, scoring 122 goals, and captained the team. It is unclear whether Keane, like Michael Carrick at Man United, would be prepared to take the role until the end of the season only.

Meanwhile, Farioli is not open to a mid-season change, and only signed a new deal at Porto in January, keeping him at the club until 2028.

The 36-year-old is viewed as one of the brightest young coaches in the game was briefly considered by Chelsea prior to hiring Liam Rosenior.

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He is yet to be contacted by Spurs, but has been mentioned as part of the shortlisting process within the club.

They also have the option of putting assistant John Heitinga in interim charge, who is set to remain at the club, as it stands.

Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Fulham manager Marco Silva were also both candidates to replace Ange Postecoglou over the summer, while former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and Xabi Alonso are free agents.

The former two are unlikely to entertain a mid-season move, while the latter pair are believed to want a club with Champions League football.

It remains to be seen whether Spurs being in the knockout stage of that tournament could persuade either to consider the role now, but at this stage neither have been approached.

There is currently more internal movement and support towards De Zerbi, Pochettino and Keane as it stands, although sources caution the process to replace Frank is at an early and exploratory stage.