Thomas Frank: Inside Tottenham’s eight-month manager’s struggle

Venkatesham and the club’s new leadership team will now be tasked with setting their first appointment.

It remains to be seen whether they are looking for an interim boss with a view to making a permanent appointment in the summer or whether they choose to look for a full-time option straight away.

There is certainly consideration behind the scenes to make a short-term appointment given how radically the managerial landscape will change in the summer.

One option available until the end of the season is John Heitinga, who joined Tottenham as assistant coach last month. The former Dutch defender took charge of Ajax this season and was part of Arne Sloat’s Premier League-winning coaching staff at Liverpool.

In the long term, the most obvious development will be the potential availability of Mauricio Pochettino after the World Cup.

The USA coach has made no secret of his desire to return to Tottenham one day – and the fans have made no secret of their desire for him to return.

Seems like a perfect match. But Tottenham will have to wait until after the World Cup to appoint Pochettino.

Even if it’s not Pochettino, the likes of Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva will be available for nothing in the summer.

Other World Cup coaches could also be on the cards, including Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti and Julian Nagelsmann.

So it makes sense to buy time until summer. However, the recent availability of De Zerbe, who left Marseille on Tuesday night, could interest Tottenham.

De Zerbe is seen as someone who can deliver progress, a trait Spurs could do with given his side’s spiral towards the relegation zone.

Yes, it can be flammable. But if Tottenham are looking for an immediate impact, the Italian could fit the bill.

Sources suggest that Tottenham want to set a date by the time the players return on Monday after a previously planned five-day break.

Amid the problems on the pitch, there have also been rumors off the pitch that the club’s hierarchy will have to deal with – amid constant rumblings that Tottenham could be sold.

This is despite staff being assured that Tottenham are not for sale. This ties into public messaging despite industry rumors that the Lewis family is open to selling.

Former Newcastle owner Amanda Staveley has been closely linked to continued interest in Tottenham despite her statement in September that she had no intention of making a formal bid for the club.

Other associations, including groups from the United States of America, have also been linked with interest in buying Tottenham, while there were reports last week that Levy was looking to sell his stake in Tottenham following his departure.

Combined with the results on the pitch and the changes off it, it was an uncertain time.

For now, all attention is on the dugout and how Spurs replace Frank.