Five interim options Tottenham could turn to if they wait until the summer to appoint a permanent successor for the sacked Thomas Frank
Tottenham have pulled the trigger on the ill-fated reign of Thomas Frank.
The former Brentford boss has been sacked in the wake of Tuesday's 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle, which left Spurs 16th in the Premier League. With West Ham improving, the team are in a relegation scrap.
Many fans have been yearning for the return of Mauricio Pochettino for years. However, as manager of the US national team, the Argentine, who left the club in 2019, won't be available until after the World Cup this summer. To land Pochettino, they would have to hire an interim boss for the final critical months of the season.
That would rule out early favourites like Roberto De Zerbi, who would have no interest in holding the fort for a few months. However, there are a number of Spurs heroes who might jump at the chance to help the club in its hour of need.
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Harry Redknapp
Along with Pochettino, Redknapp is one of the most successful Spurs bosses of recent times. Despite being 78, the managerial legend hasn't completely ruled out a return to work.
And a Spurs rescue mission, supported by younger coaches who also care deeply for the club, may whet his appetite and certainly wouldn't daunt him.
Tim Sherwood
An ex-Spurs manager and player who knows the club. Nowhere near as revered as Redknapp or Pochettino, but his short reign in charge was respectable.
He was also harshly sacked by Daniel Levy after leading the team to a sixth-placed finish in 2013/14. Sherwood then managed Aston Villa before another sacking and is now a regular pundit on Sky Sports after more than a decade out of the coaching game.
Ryan Mason
We've been here before, with Mason having caretaker spells in 2021 and 2023 and doing a steady job. Still only 34, he is on the market after being sacked by West Bromwich Albion.
A bonus is he will know many of the current players, even if it wouldn't be the most inspirational appointment. Perhaps a coaching role under a figure like Redknapp would be a better fit.
Jermain Defoe
A Tottenham hero who already boasts coaching experience at the club would presumably go down well with fans.
The former goal machine has previously worked within the academy before leaving to pursue a top job. Could that come back at Spurs? Stranger things have happened and he has the support of Redknapp.
Speaking last year, Defoe revealed: "Harry Redknapp messaged me the other day and said, 'When am I going to see you on the touchline?' I said, 'Boss, I'm trying.' A lot of the feedback I get is the same, it's about my experience."
Gus Poyet
A more of a left-field choice, but the Uruguayan is available after recently leaving K League 1 club Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. He's fondly remembered by many fans for his spell as a player in the early 2000s.
And Poyet would presumably be eager to return to English football. While it wouldn't be a long-term option, he could inject some energy into a passive-looking side in the short-term.