Tottenham add ex-Liverpool favourite to Thomas Frank coaching staff after brutal axe

Tottenham have shown their support to Thomas Frank by announcing the arrival of another member to the coaching team, who previously featured for Liverpool.

Tottenham have announced the arrival of John Heitinga as part of Thomas Frank's backroom coaching staff at the club. The former centre-back enjoyed spells playing for Ajax, Atletico Madrid, Everton, and Fulham before taking to coaching in 2016 after hanging up his boots.

The 42-year-old spent time coaching at Ajax, while he also had a spell as Liverpool assistant in 2024, where he helped guide the Reds to a Premier League title under Arne Slot. He then made his move back to Ajax in May 2025, looking to guide the club forward after a tough few seasons.

He was brutally axed earlier this season after a slow start to the campaign, which left him on the hunt for a coaching gig once again. The move to Tottenham helps strengthen the options available to Frank on the training ground, following what has been a tricky spell for the Dane.

On the appointment, the head coach told the official Tottenham website: "John is a great addition to our coaching staff. His ability, personality and character will add huge value both on and off the pitch.

“He had an impressive playing career across Europe – including five years in the Premier League – and with the Dutch national team.

“As a former defender, that will be one of his main responsibilities on the training pitch, and he brings great coaching and management experiences from all levels of the game, which will really help us moving forward.”

It may come as a boost that Tottenham need to truly boost themselves further up the table, following a rocky few months in N17. While Frank managed to earn a few results early in his tenure, a lack of points on the board now leaves Spurs 14th in the Premier League, eight points off the top four.

Part of the challenge for the head coach, who was hired from Brentford last summer, has been in connecting with the fanbase. While results will naturally get the supporters behind teams, the lack of a clear identity and questions over the direction of the club has left an agitated feeling around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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