Tottenham Hotspur have begun the search for a new manager following the dismissal of Thomas Frank on Wednesday morning, a decision made less than 24 hours after a 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle.

Frank’s tenure lasted just eight months after his appointment in June 2025, with Spurs currently languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, only five points above the relegation zone.

The club hierarchy acted amid growing fears of a relegation battle, despite the team’s progression to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 after finishing fourth in their league phase with five wins from eight matches.

An interim appointment is expected to guide the squad through the remainder of the 2025–26 season, with a more established long-term candidate targeted thereafter.

Frank’s spell in North London was defined by early defensive solidity—five clean sheets in his first eight matches, including a 2-0 win at Manchester City—but that promise quickly dissipated.

Tactical flexibility gave way to uncertainty as the congested schedule exposed structural weaknesses within the squad and coaching setup.

Reports suggest players grew uneasy with a training focus heavily centered on neutralizing opponents rather than developing a distinct Spurs identity.

Discipline issues compounded the decline, including public controversies involving Djed Spence, Micky van de Ven, and Cristian Romero, whose second red card of the season intensified scrutiny.

Frank’s public messaging, including remarks perceived as defeatist and a misjudged appearance with an Arsenal-branded coffee cup, further alienated supporters, culminating in chants for Mauricio Pochettino during the Newcastle loss.

However, Frank’s departure is widely viewed as symptomatic of broader instability within the club. Tottenham have reportedly struggled for strategic clarity since Daniel Levy stepped down as chairman in September 2025 after 24 years.

Ownership restructuring under Enic Sports & Developments Holdings Ltd, controlled by Joe Lewis’s family, has yet to establish a cohesive football vision, according to internal sources.

Recruitment shortcomings, highlighted by failed pursuits of Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, combined with a significant injury crisis affecting key players such as Dominic Solanke, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski, further undermined the campaign.

Frank is also believed to have harbored concerns about the club’s medical infrastructure.

Attention now turns to potential successors, with Mauricio Pochettino emerging as a leading candidate should his USMNT contract conclude this summer.

Roberto De Zerbi, recently departed from Marseille, is also under consideration, alongside Fulham’s Marco Silva and Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner.

Other possibilities include Andoni Iraola, who previously declined Spurs’ interest, as well as interim or internal options such as John Heitinga, Ryan Mason, and former Spurs striker Robbie Keane.

With no immediate solution in sight, Tottenham face a pivotal period as they seek stability both on the touchline and within the club’s wider structure.