Tottenham to install experienced interim boss ahead of summer permanent hire
Tottenham Hotspur will appoint an experienced head coach as an interim manager to oversee the remainder of the season, with a permanent appointment expected in the summer. Club chiefs have prioritised short-term stability as the squad prepares to return to training on Monday, and the north London derby against Arsenal is set for 22 February 2026 (ET).
Interim shortlist, timing and immediate priorities
With Thomas Frank dismissed earlier this week and Tottenham lying five points above the relegation zone, the hierarchy have opted for a caretaker solution that brings proven top-level experience. Names being assessed include Edin Terzic, who twice managed a major Bundesliga club and remains a strong contender, and Marco Rose, who most recently left a leading German side in March 2025. The club view an interim appointment as the quickest route to steady the dressing room while leaving open the option to move in a different direction at season's end.
The squad were given time off following the FA Cup exit and are due back in training on Monday. That nine-day lull before the derby on 22 February 2026 (ET) is being treated as a crucial window: the interim will need to establish authority, simplify messaging and prepare the team for one of the most scrutinised fixtures on the calendar. An internal coach who joined the first-team set-up in January was considered for the temporary role, but that option is understood to be unlikely as the club seek a more experienced hand.
Summer outlook: long-term names and the market
While the interim will be judged on immediate impact, Tottenham’s decision-makers are already shaping a summer process for a permanent head coach. Mauricio Pochettino remains a possible long-term candidate once his national-team commitments conclude after the World Cup this year. Roberto De Zerbi, newly available following his departure from a major French club, also features on the broader list of contenders. The club recognise the mid-season market is thin; many preferred targets will be more readily available at the end of the campaign.
The wider managerial landscape — from top-level European leagues to clubs such as sporting cp — will influence who is reachable and when. Tottenham’s technical directors have signalled that any interim hire who impresses could be elevated to a permanent role, but the board are also prepared to move decisively in the summer if the right long-term profile becomes available.
What the move means for Spurs’ survival bid
The change of leadership carries immediate footballing and psychological stakes. The club sit perilously close to the relegation zone and need results as well as clarity to arrest a downward trajectory; pundits have argued the dismissal was necessary given the current situation. Restoring confidence among senior players, repairing the relationship with supporters and tightening defensive organisation will be top priorities for whoever takes charge.
For now, the interim appointment is as much about calming internal unrest as it is about tactics. With a high-profile derby looming on 22 February 2026 (ET) and a congested fixture list to follow, Tottenham’s new caretaker will be judged on quick improvements and the ability to unite a squad under pressure. The summer recruitment drive for a permanent head coach will then determine whether this season’s change is a reset or a prelude to a new long-term project.
