Marco Rose has emerged as the frontrunner to become the next manager of Tottenham Hotspur, a dramatic shift in the club’s managerial search following the Wednesday sacking of Thomas Frank. The unexpected development comes as hopes of securing Roberto De Zerbi appear to be fading, according to reports.
The north London club dismissed Frank after a dismal run of form saw them slide to within five points of the Premier League relegation zone. A 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle United on Tuesday proved the final straw, ending the Dane’s brief 38-match tenure. Spurs now face the dual challenge of stabilizing their league position and finding a long-term solution to restore the club to the Premier League elite.
While the club seeks a permanent appointment, the immediate priority is to avoid relegation. The search for a new manager has been fluid, with Mauricio Pochettino previously linked with a return, though any move would be contingent on the conclusion of his commitments with the United States national team at the 2026 World Cup.
De Zerbi, recently departed from Marseille, had initially appeared a strong candidate. However, Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge reported on X (formerly Twitter) that De Zerbi is currently seeking a break from management and is not actively pursuing a return to the dugout, either on an interim or permanent basis. This shift in De Zerbi’s availability has paved the way for Rose to become the odds-on favorite.
Bookmakers have responded swiftly to the changing landscape, with William Hill now listing Rose at 5/4, ahead of De Zerbi at 3/1. Lee Phelps, a spokesman for William Hill, stated the market has “taken an intriguing twist” with Rose’s sudden emergence. John Heitinga (5/1) and Pochettino (9/2) remain in contention, though their prospects appear diminished.
Rose, who has been without a club since leaving RB Leipzig in March, brings a track record of aggressive pressing and tactical discipline – qualities reportedly highly valued by the Tottenham hierarchy. He achieved a 56.25% win percentage during his time at Leipzig.
The potential for Rose to initially take on an interim role, with the possibility of securing the permanent position based on performance, is also being considered. Other names circulating include Ferencvaros coach Robbie Keane, who reportedly walked out of a TV interview when questioned about the job and Manchester United assistant manager Michael Carrick, whose future at Old Trafford remains uncertain.
Spurs are also considering John Heitinga, who is already part of the coaching staff, as a potential interim solution, particularly with the North London Derby against Arsenal looming.
