Glenn Hoddle shares what he knows about Tottenham manager situation: ‘That is a fact’
Tottenham are once again on the hunt for a new manager after they sacked Thomas Frank on Wednesday morning.
The Dane has been under continuous pressure from the fanbase in North London in recent weeks, as the team have continued to be dragged further into the Premier League’s relegation battle.
Tottenham finally sacked Frank after their 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle on Tuesday evening, a result which has left them without a league win on home turf since 6 December.
The Lilywhites’ hierarchy must quickly turn their attention towards finding Frank’s successor in the coming days, and the next appointment will come with a huge amount of pressure attached.
Glenn Hoddle opens up on Tottenham ‘excuses’
Football Insider revealed at the end of January that the Tottenham board would be forced to sack Frank if the team were dragged further into the relegation battle, and that is exactly what has happened in recent weeks.
The North Londoners are now just five points clear of the drop zone, and that could easily have been down to just three points, had West Ham not conceded a late equaliser against Manchester United on Tuesday.
Frank’s charges had won just two Premier League games since the start of November, and their latest defeat has been deemed the final straw by the club hierarchy.
The former Brentford boss had been facing vitriol from the fanbase for several weeks, but Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle has now come out in defence of him.
The pundit and former England manager took to X to share his feelings on Frank’s dismissal, and he pointed towards the team’s unprecedented injury crisis representing unfortunate circumstances for the departed boss.
“Frank sacked today, he’s had some crippling injuries to a lot of talented players he couldn’t call upon,” Hoddle wrote.
“A big reason why we didn’t see him flourish at Spurs. This is a fact, not excuses.”
Thomas Frank’s assistant in the frame for immediate role
Frank’s assistant John Heitinga is still at Tottenham in the aftermath of the boss’ dismissal, and he could be given the chance to lead the team in the coming weeks.
The Dutchman is already among the favourites to be appointed in the wake of Frank’s exit, as the hierarchy could promote from within on an interim basis.
The likes of Roberto De Zerbi, Mauricio Pochettino and Robbie Keane are also being viewed by the bookmakers as likely candidates, although Pochettino will not be available until after the World Cup.
Michael Carrick’s success at Manchester United has shown the potential value in appointing interim managers, and with that in mind, Heitinga could yet be handed the ultimate responsibility at Spurs.