John Heitinga was reportedly left surprised by Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to appoint Igor Tudor, having hoped to take charge on an interim basis following Thomas Frank’s dismissal.
According to journalist Valentijn Driessen, speaking via Soccer News, the Dutch coach believed he would be considered for the role until the end of the season. Instead, Tottenham moved quickly for Tudor, prompting Heitinga’s departure.
John Heitinga hoped for Tottenham interim role
Heitinga had only joined Tottenham on 16 January 2026 as part of Frank’s coaching staff, arriving amid mounting pressure around results.
Spurs failed to win any of their five Premier League matches during his brief spell on the touchline. Despite that run, Driessen claims Heitinga expected to remain at the club and potentially step up after Frank was sacked.
“If you read the statement: he could have stayed,” Driessen said.
“That manager had been fired last week, and John could have stayed, but he had hoped to become interim manager for the rest of the season. Then he heard that Igor Tudor was coming.”
Driessen added that conversations between the pair made the situation clearer.
“He thought: ‘I don’t see any future here, because next season there will be a whole new staff and a new manager. He’ll bring his own people with him.’”
The perception that a fresh structure was imminent appears to have influenced his decision to walk away.
Short spell ends quickly
Heitinga’s Tottenham tenure lasted just 33 days. Prior to that, he had built experience as an assistant at West Ham United and Liverpool, contributing to Liverpool’s title-winning campaign last season.
From Tottenham’s perspective, appointing Tudor signals a desire for immediate authority rather than caretaker continuity. However, it remains too early to assess whether bypassing an internal option will prove beneficial.
Key Insights
- Heitinga hoped to become interim manager after Frank’s sacking.
- Tottenham appointed Igor Tudor instead.
- Dutch coach departed after 33 days at the club.
- Believed new long-term structure limited his role.
- Previously assistant at West Ham and Liverpool.
What’s Next
Heitinga’s next move remains uncertain. With several Premier League backroom teams already established, opportunities may depend on summer reshuffles.
Tottenham, meanwhile, enter a crucial phase under Tudor as they aim to stabilise results before the season concludes.
Was Tottenham right to prioritise a clean break, or did they overlook a ready-made interim solution?
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