LONDON — Tottenham Hotspur has officially parted ways with manager Thomas Frank after a tumultuous eight-month tenure that left the North London club languishing in 16th place, just five points above the Premier League relegation zone. The dismissal, confirmed on Wednesday morning, has immediately ignited intense speculation regarding a potential reunion with former boss Mauricio Pochettino. However, any immediate move for the Argentine is complicated by his current commitment to the USMNT ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
Thomas Frank Sacked: A Gamble That Failed
The experiment with Thomas Frank, who was appointed in June 2025 following Ange Postecoglou’s departure, has ended in disaster. Despite arriving with a high reputation from his successful stint at Brentford, Frank struggled to adapt to the demands of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The final straw came after a dismal run of just two wins in 17 Premier League matches, culminating in a lifeless 2-0 home defeat that turned the atmosphere toxic.
Sources close to the club indicate that the decision was not taken lightly by the new leadership group, led by chairman Peter Charrington. However, the threat of a genuine relegation battle forced their hand. Frank’s tenure was plagued by an injury crisis—star midfielders James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski missed large swathes of the campaign—but his tactical rigidity and bizarre public comments praising arch-rivals Arsenal alienated the fanbase early on. The “Frank-ball” philosophy never took root, leaving Spurs with their worst home win percentage since 2008.
Mauricio Pochettino: The Dream Return?
With the managerial seat vacant once again, all eyes have turned to Mauricio Pochettino. The 53-year-old remains a beloved figure at Tottenham, having led the club to the Champions League final in 2019. Reports from The Independent and Sky Sports suggest that Pochettino is the board's undisputed top target to lead a long-term rebuild.
The timing, however, is complex. Pochettino is currently fully focused on leading the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) into the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off in just four months. His contract with U.S. Soccer runs through the conclusion of the tournament in July. While Pochettino has previously admitted he "would love to come back" to Spurs one day, walking away from a host-nation World Cup job this close to the tournament is viewed as virtually impossible.
The World Cup Obstacle
For Tottenham to secure Pochettino, they may have to wait until the summer of 2026. This would require an interim solution for the remainder of the disastrous 2025/26 campaign. Assistant coach John Heitinga has been placed in temporary charge, but the club faces a dilemma: stick with a caretaker to wait for Pochettino, or hire a permanent fire-fighter now to ensure Premier League survival?
"The prospect of Pochettino coming in as Frank's replacement now is a non-starter," a source told Mirror Football. "He is preparing the Stars and Stripes for the seminal moment of his career. But a pre-contract agreement for July? That is a very real possibility."
A New Era Without Daniel Levy
Crucially, the landscape at Tottenham has shifted significantly since Pochettino's first spell. The departure of long-serving chairman Daniel Levy late last year has removed one of the potential psychological barriers to a return. While Pochettino maintained a good personal relationship with Levy, the new structure under Peter Charrington offers a fresh start and potentially more control over football operations—something Pochettino has always craved.
The new board is reportedly willing to back Pochettino with significant funds to overhaul an unbalanced squad that has chewed through three managers in two years. With the club in crisis, the narrative of the "Magic" returning to N17 is appealing to a fractured supporter base desperate for identity and direction.
Premier League News Today: What’s Next for Spurs?
As the Tottenham manager search begins in earnest, other names have been floated, including former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso (who is currently on a sabbatical) and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola. However, none carry the emotional weight or proven track record at the club that Pochettino possesses.
For now, Spurs must navigate a perilous fixture list under interim leadership to secure their top-flight status. But in the corridors of power, the plan seems clear: survive the season, and then bring Mauricio home after the World Cup final.
