Tottenham Hotspur assistant coach John Heitinga is a potential caretaker candidate should Thomas Frank be sacked, according to The Times journalist Tom Allnutt.
The north London side are believed to be contemplating whether to part ways with the Danish tactician following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham.
The lack of clear alternatives to replace Frank mid-season is claimed to be part of Spurs’ dilemma, as the club board feel a wrong appointment could push them into a relegation battle.
After 22 games, Spurs are languishing 14th in the Premier League table, eight points off the top five and 10 points off the relegation zone.
Spurs Could Promote John Heitinga
According to The Times, Heitinga is viewed as a possible candidate to take over temporarily at Tottenham, just days after being hired as Frank’s assistant last week.
The Danish tactician played a significant role in helping choose Heitinga for his backroom team, after being impressed with the former Everton defender’s record working with individual players.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Frank’s Premier League average points-per-game record of 1.23 is the worst of Tottenham’s last eight managers.
Heitinga, praised for having ‘the perfect profile’ by Frank, was an assistant to Arne Slot at Liverpool last season before taking over at Dutch giants Ajax in May.
His tenure with the Eredivisie side lasted only four months, during which Ajax secured five wins in 15 games across all competitions.
Frank penned a three-year contract with Tottenham following his appointment in June, replacing sacked Ange Postecoglou, who ended the club’s 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League last season.
John Heitinga’s Coaching Career So Far
Heitinga began his coaching career in 2016, following a 15-year professional playing career during which he played for Ajax, Everton, Atletico Madrid, Fulham and Hertha Berlin.
The 42-year-old spent the first seven years of his post-playing career at Ajax, where he worked with youth teams and took interim charge of the senior side in January 2023.
Ahead of the 2023/24 season, Heitinga joined David Moyes’ backroom staff at West Ham, before being appointed Liverpool’s assistant coach in July 2024.
After helping the Reds to the Premier League title last term, Heitinga returned to Ajax for a full-time managerial role, which lasted just 15 games.
Tottenham Eyeing Mauricio Pochettino
Tottenham are interested in appointing former manager Mauricio Pochettino as Frank’s permanent successor after the season.