Tottenham Hotspur have made a bold move to shake up their coaching ranks, announcing the appointment of John Heitinga as first team assistant coach under Thomas Frank. The decision, confirmed on January 15, 2026, comes at a pivotal moment for Spurs, who find themselves languishing in 14th place in the Premier League and reeling from a third-round FA Cup exit at the hands of Aston Villa.
Heitinga’s arrival in north London marks both a return to the Premier League and a fresh start after a turbulent year in his managerial career. The 42-year-old Dutchman, best known for his robust defending during a playing career that spanned Ajax, Atlético Madrid, Everton, Fulham, and Hertha Berlin, brings a wealth of experience from both the pitch and the touchline. He earned 87 caps for the Netherlands, representing his country at the highest level, and has steadily built his coaching credentials since hanging up his boots in 2016.
His most recent managerial stint, however, was far from smooth sailing. Heitinga began the 2025/26 season as Ajax head coach, but a string of poor results led to his dismissal in November—just five months after his appointment. Under his stewardship, Ajax managed only five wins in 15 matches, all in the Eredivisie, and failed to secure a single point in the Champions League, suffering heavy defeats to Galatasaray, Chelsea, Marseille, and Inter Milan. The nadir was a 3-0 home loss to Galatasaray, which proved to be the final straw for the Ajax board.
Heitinga’s struggles at Ajax stood in stark contrast to his earlier success as interim boss during the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, when he guided the team to 14 wins in 22 games. Before taking the helm at Ajax, Heitinga had made a name for himself as a promising coach with Ajax’s youth teams and as an assistant at West Ham United and Liverpool. It was during his time at Liverpool, under Arne Slot, that Heitinga played a key role in the club’s 2024/25 Premier League title-winning campaign. He was credited with helping to develop midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who blossomed into one of the league’s standout performers under his guidance. According to analysis by Tottenham correspondent Elias Burke, "He helped mould the Dutchman into a No 6, simplifying the role and providing clear instructions to carry out."
Spurs head coach Thomas Frank, who himself is under pressure following a poor run of form, expressed his enthusiasm for Heitinga’s appointment. "John is a great addition to our coaching staff. His ability, personality and character will add huge value both on and off the pitch," Frank said in the club’s announcement. "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."
Heitinga steps into the role vacated by Matt Wells, who departed in December to take up the head coach position at Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer. Wells had been a highly respected figure at Tottenham, particularly for his work on the training ground under former manager Ange Postecoglou. With Frank’s greater involvement in training sessions than his predecessor, Heitinga will join Justin Cochrane, Andreas Georgson, and Chris Haslam as key figures supporting the head coach both on the pitch and in the dugout.
His primary focus will be on shoring up a Tottenham defense that has struggled mightily this season. The team currently boasts the fourth-worst home record in the Premier League, having won just two of their ten matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. With only one victory in their last seven outings, Spurs’ defensive frailties have been laid bare, and Frank will be hoping Heitinga’s expertise can spark a much-needed turnaround.
Heitinga’s coaching philosophy is shaped by the influence of some of football’s most revered tacticians, including Johan Cruyff, Louis van Gaal, and Pep Guardiola. His experience working with Liverpool’s forwards and midfielders could also prove invaluable, particularly as Tottenham look to unlock the potential of young talents like Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, and Pape Matar Sarr. The Dutchman’s track record in developing players and simplifying tactical roles will be put to the test as he seeks to bring greater organization and discipline to the Spurs back line.
Off the pitch, Tottenham are undergoing a broader restructuring of their football operations. The club recently announced the appointment of Carlos Raphael Moersen as their first director of football operations, although Moersen will not officially join until before the summer transfer window due to gardening leave. His arrival, along with that of performance director Dan Lewindon next month, signals a concerted effort by the club’s hierarchy to modernize and professionalize its football administration, player care, and training-ground operations. Meanwhile, co-sporting director Fabio Paratici is set to leave for Fiorentina at the end of the January window.
For Heitinga, the move to Tottenham represents a crucial opportunity to rebuild his reputation after the disappointment in Amsterdam. The pressure is on from the outset, with his first assignment coming in a high-stakes London derby against West Ham United at home on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 3pm, and all eyes will be on the touchline to see how Heitinga integrates into Frank’s coaching staff and what immediate impact he can have.
Heitinga’s appointment has generated cautious optimism among Spurs supporters, who are eager to see fresh ideas and renewed defensive solidity. However, with the club’s ambitions of European qualification fading and a challenging run of fixtures ahead, the new assistant coach faces a baptism of fire. The coming weeks will reveal whether Heitinga’s blend of top-level playing experience and coaching acumen can help steady the ship and restore belief at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
As Tottenham prepare to face West Ham, the spotlight will be firmly on their new coaching addition. If Heitinga can instill resilience and discipline in a squad that has struggled for consistency, his tenure in north London could mark the start of an exciting new chapter—not just for him, but for Spurs as a whole.
