Spurs’ Search for a New Manager Takes a Dramatic Turn as Surprise Candidate Emerges as Front-Runner

A surprise name has become the bookmakers’ top pick to replace Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank, following his dismissal on Wednesday (February 11).

Frank was finally shown the door after a dismal run that saw Spurs collect just two wins and 12 points from their last 17 Premier League matches. That slump has left the north London side languishing in 16th place, only five points clear of the relegation zone with 12 games still to play.

Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle proved the breaking point, as goals from Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey sealed Frank’s fate at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Attention has now turned to who will take over in the dugout.

Early reports suggested that former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi was the frontrunner after his mutual departure from Marseille. The Italian previously led Brighton to a historic sixth-place Premier League finish in 2022/23, securing Europa League qualification, before moving to Ligue 1, where mixed results ultimately led to his exit.

However, a new contender has surged to the top of the betting. According to William Hill, ex-Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose is now the leading candidate, priced at 5/4. De Zerbi follows at 3/1, with former Spurs manager and current USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino third at 9/2.

Rose has been out of work since leaving RB Leipzig in March 2025. The 49-year-old previously enjoyed success at RB Salzburg, winning two Austrian Bundesliga titles and an Austrian Cup, and also lifted the DFB-Pokal with Leipzig in 2023. Speaking last October, Rose made clear his desire to return to management, hinting that a move abroad could be next.

Latest odds to become Spurs’ next permanent head coach:

Marco Rose – 5/4

Roberto De Zerbi – 3/1

Mauricio Pochettino – 9/2

John Heitinga – 5/1

Robbie Keane – 7/1

Oliver Glasner – 16/1