John Heitinga arrived at Tottenham Hotspur to be Thomas Frank’s assistant around a week ago, and there’s a possibility he could be out quickly again in a revolving doors scenario.
In the Netherlands, the standing of Heitinga in the UK is perhaps exaggerated. The media there often talk about how highly rated the Dutch coach is within the Premier League and by those who cover it.
Monday morning saw suggestions that Heitinga could even be lined up as interim if Frank is sacked soon. It’s just as likely that he’d been accompanied out of the same door as the Danish coach.
Again, in the Netherlands, this is causing some chatter.
On Monday’s KieftJansenEgmondGijp, the player’s agent Rob – the Jansen in the show’s name -was asked about the situation and what’ll happen to his client if Frank is sacked.
Then followed a frank discussion about whether Heitinga will also be kicked out or if there’s a clause, presumably relating to staying or compensation. Voetbal Zone have covered the chat.
Disbelief over lack of Tottenham clause
Rob Jansen: “Then clause 12.2 comes into effect (a joke). But it doesn’t exist. I don’t expect the manager to be fired.”
Michel van Egmond. “Why not? They’re all singing ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’. There’s a pretty good chance he’ll be fired if he loses again.”
Wim Kieft: “But there’s no clause?”
Rob Jansen: “No.”
Wim Keift: “Oh, of course there is. Come on, man. You’re not some market trader, are you?”
Rob Jansen: “There’s no clause in it. It has nothing to do with each other.”
Van Egmond then said Heitinga could be kicked out if Tottenham sack Frank, to which the coach’s agent said: “That’s not inconceivable.”
Van Egmond: “What a terrible agent Heitinga has.”
Wim Kieft: “I’m a bit speechless.”
The nature of the podcast, and Dutch pundits, is that they’re not afraid to wind up guests, and each other. Still, there appears genuine disbelief at the agent claiming there’s no clause protecting his client if Tottenham sack Thomas Frank.
Perhaps the Dutch pundits were suggesting that Heitinga has gone there on a promise to be given a chance if Frank goes. The Tottenham assistant coach’s agent clearly wanted to dismiss that idea, at least publicly.
