Next Tottenham manager: Pochettino, De Zerbi, Carrick and the contenders for the Spurs job | OneFootball

Keane and Iraola also being considered after Thomas Frank exit

Tottenham find themselves in the position they desperately wanted to avoid.

The Spurs hierarchy gave Thomas Frank as much time as they could, more than many supporters felt was justified, in the hope he could turn things around and avoid the instability of another sacking.

However, after only eight months and with Spurs just five points clear of the relegation zone, Frank's reign is over.

The Spurs players were given five days off after their defeat to Newcastle and they will not return to training until Monday.

By then, Spurs want to have made an appointment, whether that be an interim option or a permanent replacement for Frank.

Here are the early options to take over at Spurs…

Mauricio Pochettino

Sections of the home crowd chanted Pochettino's name on Tuesday during the defeat to Newcastle, in what proved to be Frank's final match in charge.

Mauricio Pochettino is preparing to the USA into the World Cup

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The former Spurs boss would be the most popular appointment Spurs could make and at least in the short-term, would provide the biggest shift in mood.

Pochettino wants the job but there is no chance of Spurs getting him ahead of the World Cup.

They would have to wait until later in the summer for him to take charge and it would mean first appointing an interim boss to stave off relegation.

He is the obvious choice - Spurs must decide if he is the right choice.

Roberto De Zerbi

Might not have been on the radar a couple of months ago but now out of work and would likely be keen on a Premier League return.

De Zerbi left Marseille by mutual consent earlier this week, but has his admirers at Spurs for the work he did at Brighton.

Roberto De Zerbi has just left Marseille

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The Italian plays a brand of football that would excite the fans and his personality is perhaps better-suited to this dressing room than Frank's.

However, this is already a club that has far too much of a chaotic feel.

Would throwing a volatile character who would challenge them be a risk the Spurs hierarchy want to take?

John Heitinga

The simplest solution if Spurs want someone to take charge only until the end of the season.

Heitinga is already at the club and knows the player, having joined Frank's coaching staff last month.

However, there is real pressure on the Spurs job at the moment with relegation a possibility and leaving Heitinga with that responsibility would be a risk.

Sacked by Ajax in November after only five months in charge, with the club well off the pace domestically and having lost all their Champions League matches.

Heitinga has been primarily in charge of the defensive sessions in training. Spurs have conceded at least twice in their last seven domestic matches.

Robbie Keane

Spurs are believed to be monitoring their former striker Keane as a potential candidate.

He is viewed as someone more to lead the club until the end of the season, rather than on a permanent basis beyond that.

Robbie Keane is at Ferencvaros

Mike Egerton/PA Wire

The Irishman is continuing to impress at Ferencvaros in Hungary, leading them to the title last season and safely into the Europa League knockout stages this term.

Keane also won the title in his first managerial job at Maccabi Tel Aviv.

However, with Ferencvaros top of the table domestically and with a European tie against Ludogorets to come later this month, Keane might be reluctant to walk away for only an interim job.

Andoni Iraola

Spurs were keen on Iraola last summer and considered him as Ange Postecoglou's replacement.

Iraola remained committed to Bournemouth then but he is out of contract at the end of this season and there is no immediate sign of a new deal being agreed.

Andoni Iraola could leave Bournemouth in the summer

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Unlike many of the potential names in the manager market this summer, Spurs would not have to wait until after the World Cup for Iraola to take charge.

Plays good football but a poor injury record at Bournemouth, which would not bode well considering Spurs' own problems.

Also a question of whether Spurs are ready to risk hoping that another manager impressing at a mid-table Premier League side can make the step up.

Michael Carrick

Another potential option if Spurs decide to wait until the summer to make a longer-term appointment.

Carrick has made an immediate impact at Manchester United, taking 13 points from a possible 15 and beating both Arsenal and Manchester City.

Michael Carrick is doing well as interim manager at Manchester United

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United are believed to still be looking for a different permanent manager at the end of the season and that could provide Spurs with an opening if they do decide to move on from Carrick.

The 44-year-old, who spent two seasons at Spurs as a player, have proven himself capable of taking a group low in confidence and immediately flipping the mood.

The players have responded well to him and the football has been good to watch. Those will be factors high up on Spurs' wishlist.