Next Tottenham manager odds: Mauricio Pochettino and…

Next Tottenham manager odds: Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi the early favourites ahead of Xavi

In the frame: Robbie Keane, Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi - (London Standard)

Mauricio Pochettino is no longer the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Thomas Frank as Tottenham manager.

Frank has been sacked after an underwhelming eight months in charge, culminating in a 2-1 home loss to Newcastle.

Spurs wanted to back Frank - who survived a home defeat to West Ham and a 2-2 draw at Burnley last month - but they have moved to make a change in a bid to turn things around.

Oliver Glasner was last month the initial bookmakers’ favourite, but his odds have since drifted after confirming he will stay at Crystal Palace for the rest of the season.

Roberto De Zerbi was established as the favourite immediately following news of Frank’s dismissal, having seen his odds significantly shortened in the market after quitting his job at Marseille.

But the biggest mover since is John Heitinga, the coach appointed by Tottenham during January to serve as Frank’s assistant. He now finds firmly second in the running.

Robbie Keane is forging a career in management (Getty Images)

Former Spurs boss Pochettino is preparing to lead the USA into a home World Cup this summer, but he has been linked with a sensational return.

The Argentine spent five years in north London between 2014 and 2019, building the best Spurs team in recent memory and guiding them to a runners-up spot in the Premier League in 2016-17.

He spent the 2023-24 season in charge of their bitter rivals, Chelsea, but has also spoken about one day returning to Spurs. Just three days ago, Pochettino said that Tottenham was the club most dear to him.

Mauricio Pochettino is preparing to lead the USA into the World Cup (Getty Images)

Another familiar face, in former striker Robbie Keane, is also in the frame.

Keane is making a name for himself as a manager with Hungarian side Ferencvaros, having previously impressed during one season in charge of Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Other outside options include Xabi Alonso, following his Real Madrid exit, Fulham manager Marco Silva, whose future at Craven Cottage is in doubt, and Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez.

Former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has gone so far as to throw his own name into the hat, though it remains to be seen whether Spurs take him up on his offer.

Also figuring prominently in the betting are Ruben Amorim, who recently left Manchester United and Michael Carrick, who replaced the Portuguese at Old Trafford.