Tottenham Coaching Shakeup: Heitinga Sacked After One Month Under Tudor
Tottenham Hotspur interim manager Igor Tudor has initiated a swift and significant overhaul of the club's backroom staff, resulting in the dismissal of John Heitinga after a mere one-month tenure. This move is part of a broader restructuring following the sacking of former head coach Thomas Frank last week.
Rapid Departure of Recently Appointed Coach
John Heitinga, who joined Tottenham's coaching staff on 15 January 2026, has now been shown the exit door in a surprising turn of events. His appointment was made by Thomas Frank, but with Frank's departure, Heitinga's position became untenable under the new interim leadership.
Heitinga's coaching career has been marked by recent instability. Prior to his brief stint at Tottenham, he was part of Arne Slot's coaching team at Liverpool during their Premier League title-winning campaign last season. He left Anfield in the summer of 2025 to pursue a managerial role, landing the head coach position at Ajax. However, his time at Ajax was short-lived, lasting only 15 games before he was sacked in November 2025 due to poor performance.
Context of Frank's Dismissal and Club's Struggles
Thomas Frank's seven-month tenure at Tottenham came to an abrupt end last Wednesday, 11 February 2026. This decision followed a 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle United, which left the club languishing in 16th place in the Premier League table. Tottenham are currently just five points above the relegation zone, highlighting the precarious situation that prompted the managerial change.
The Press Association understands that Justin Cochrane and Chris Haslam have also departed the North London club alongside Heitinga. Both Cochrane and Haslam had joined Tottenham last summer, having previously worked with Thomas Frank at Brentford. Cochrane, who began his coaching career at Tottenham and played a key role in bringing Frank to the club, was seen as making a special return, but his departure underscores the clean sweep under Tudor.
Tudor's New Coaching Team from Juventus
Igor Tudor is set to introduce a completely new coaching trio to Tottenham Hotspur. The incoming staff includes Ivan Javorcic as assistant coach, Riccardo Raganacci as physical coach, and Tomislav Rogic as goalkeeper coach. All three are familiar faces to Tudor, having worked alongside him during his previous role at Juventus.
Their official start at Tottenham is contingent on securing the necessary work permits, a process that is expected to be completed swiftly to allow Tudor to implement his vision. This move signals Tudor's intent to bring in trusted personnel to stabilise the team and improve results amid a challenging season.
Broader Implications for Tottenham's Future
The dismissal of Heitinga after just one month raises questions about the club's long-term planning and stability. With Tottenham struggling in the Premier League, Tudor's rapid reshuffling of the coaching staff indicates a sense of urgency to address performance issues. The departure of Cochrane and Haslam, who were closely tied to Frank's regime, further emphasises the break from the previous management structure.
As Tottenham navigate this transitional period, the focus will be on whether Tudor's new coaching team can inspire a turnaround. The club's fans will be hoping that these changes lead to improved form and a move away from the relegation battle, with the new staff bringing fresh ideas and expertise from their experiences at top European clubs like Juventus.
