Tottenham to install experienced interim boss before making summer head-coach choice

Tottenham Hotspur plan to announce an experienced interim manager to take charge for the rest of the season, with the club intending to follow up with a long-term appointment in the summer. The move comes after a decision this week to part company with Thomas Frank, leaving the team five points above the relegation zone and facing a tense run-in.

Interim appointment to be in place for squad return

Club executives Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham are leading the process to find a short-term solution to steady the dressing room and prepare the team for the immediate fixtures. The first-team squad have been given time off following an FA Cup exit and were asked to return to training on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 (ET). With no domestic game this weekend, domestic options are limited and the board wants an interim in place for that return so the manager can begin work straightaway.

Edin Terzic has emerged as a strong contender for the interim role. The 43-year-old, who left his Bundesliga post in 2024 following a Champions League final defeat, brings recent high-level experience and a record of steadying and galvanising teams. Another name under consideration is Marco Rose, who most recently parted company with his Bundesliga club in March 2025 and has experience managing at the top level in Germany. Club insiders have also assessed the prospects of John Heitinga, who joined the coaching staff in January, but his appointment as interim looks unlikely at this stage.

Summer plan: long-term target list and the wider European search

While the interim choice is aimed at immediate stability, the club has made clear the permanent head-coach role will be filled after a full review at season’s end. High-profile options remain in the frame for that longer-term role. Mauricio Pochettino — whose contract with the United States men's national team ends after the World Cup this summer — and Roberto De Zerbi, recently departed from his post at a major French club, are among the names still being weighed for a permanent appointment.

The recruitment sweep is continental in scope. Decision-makers are looking across Europe for coaches who can deliver both immediate results and a coherent, long-term project. That search will naturally consider candidates with experience in top leagues — from Bundesliga figures to coaches who have operated at clubs of Sporting CP’s standing in Portugal — as the board seeks a profile that combines tactical acumen with an ability to win back supporters.

Any interim manager who impresses during the run-in will be considered a candidate for the summer role, giving the club flexibility to promote from within if the right person seizes the opportunity. The club is mindful that more managerial options will become available once the season concludes, so the summer window remains crucial for the long-term direction of the team.

Pressure, fixture timetable and fan mood

Spurs face a key fixture on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 (ET) — the north London derby — which arrives after a nine-day break caused by their FA Cup exit. That match, and the period leading up to it, places added urgency on the interim appointment: the club wants to ensure preparation and messaging are clear for players and supporters alike.

The decision to dismiss the head coach reflects a widening disconnect between results, fan sentiment and dressing-room cohesion. Pundit commentary has argued the club had little alternative given the current position in the table and the deteriorating atmosphere at recent matches. The new interim will inherit a squad in need of immediate tactical clarity and morale repair, with the board hoping a steadying hand can arrest the slide and allow for a calmer, considered hiring process in the summer.

For now, Tottenham’s focus is pragmatic: install experienced leadership quickly, protect Premier League status, and then take the time necessary to appoint a long-term head coach who fits the club’s ambitions.