Last week, Tottenham Hotspur made a fascinating appointment - that could have sealed their manager’s fate.
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On Thursday, January 15, Spurs appointed John Heitinga as assistant first-team coach, joining Thomas Frank’s coaching line-up.
The Dutchman has spent the past decade coaching after his playing career took him to clubs like Everton, Atletico Madrid and Ajax, spending his managerial days at the Eredivisie side since 2023.
More recently, he has worked at both West Ham United and Liverpool, helping the latter win the league title in the 2024/25 season.
Frank said: “John is a great addition to our coaching staff. His ability, personality and character will add huge value both on and off the pitch. He had an impressive playing career across Europe - including five years in the Premier League - and with the Dutch national team.
“As a former defender, that will be one of his main responsibilities on the training pitch, and he brings great coaching and management experiences from all levels of the game, which will really help us moving forward.”
While Heitinga has been brought in to solidify Spurs’ defence, he could end up playing a different role entirely.
Manager Frank is under immense pressure, and the rumour mill strongly suggests his job is on the chopping block. It comes as Spurs endure a dismal run of form, having won just one of their last eight matches - a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace on December 28.
According to reports, Frank will be given one final game in charge - tomorrow’s Champions League tie with Borussia Dortmund - before being sacked.
If Frank is indeed kicked out of the London club, Heitinga’s experience makes him the ideal man to take the helm in the interim, before a permanent replacement can be found. While speculation is rife that Mauricio Pochettino could make a comeback, Spurs may hold on until the end of the season to appoint their new gaffer.
Should Heitinga take the wheel, he has one hell of a job in front of him - Tottenham are currently 14th in the Premier League, and although 10 points above the relegation zone, plenty of clubs beneath them are in far better form.