Welcome to Sideline Moves, Insider Sport’s weekly roundup spotlighting the key moves shaping the business of sport.
While our weekly column usually tracks executive appointments and boardroom swaps across the global sports industry, this week the headlines have been dominated by decisions in the dugout.
Clubs across European football have opted for a change of leadership, prompting us to dedicate the first half of this edition to the biggest coaching appointments and departures of the week.
Thomas Tuchel extends England contract
The Football Association (FA) has announced Thomas Tuchel will remain in charge of the England men’s team until UEFA EURO 2028.
Speaking on the contract extension via a public letter, FA CEO Mark Bullingham said the agreement provides stability heading into major tournaments.
“Today’s news that Thomas Tuchel will lead our England senior men’s team through to UEFA EURO 2028 is hugely positive for our aspiration to win major international tournaments,” he wrote. “We have secured a world class coach for our upcoming home EUROs, giving us the best possible chance of success.”
Tuchel oversees an England side which reached consecutive Euros finals under previous manager Gareth Southgate. So far in charge, he has won all eight World Cup qualifying matches, conceding no goals, and has lost just once in a friendly against Senegal.
In his letter, Bullingham also praised Tuchel’s support team, including Anthony Barry, Justin Cochrane, Henrique Hilário, Nico Meyer and James Melbourne, and highlighted the FA’s ongoing commitment to developing homegrown coaches.
The timing of the extension also reduces the likelihood of Tuchel returning to club football and being asked about plans after the upcoming World Cup, with vacancies at Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United attracting attention.
“The opportunity arose to secure him for a further tournament. We have taken that opportunity and now everyone has clarity,” Bullingham wrote.
Tottenham part ways with Thomas Frank after eight months in charge
Tottenham Hotspur has sacked Thomas Frank, bringing his tenure in north London to an end less than a year after his appointment.
In a statement released on February 11 2026, the club said: “The Club has taken the decision to make a change in the Men’s Head Coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today.”
Frank joined Spurs in June 2025 from Brentford, where he oversaw promotion from the Championship and established the club as a solid Premier League side. Tottenham reportedly paid Brentford a compensation fee equivalent to £27,525 per day for Frank’s time at the club.
His move was viewed as a step up, with Tottenham tasking him with building on the UEFA Europa League success delivered by predecessor Ange Postecoglou.
Like Postecoglou, Frank was unable to command any consistent success at the domestic level, with Spurs winning just seven of their 26 league matches and sitting 16th, five points above the relegation zone.
The struggles in the Premier League have come despite a strong European campaign, which saw the club finish fourth in the Champions League league phase.
“Results and performances have led the Board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary,” the club added, thanking Frank for his “unwavering commitment”.
Tottenham has yet to confirm who will take charge ahead of a crucial league fixture against leaders and local rivals Arsenal.
Sean Dyche sacked as Nottingham Forest make third managerial change of season
Nottingham Forest has relieved Sean Dyche of his duties, making the Englishman the club’s third managerial change of the season.
Forest announced the decision to supporters via a post on X at 12:31am on 12 February 2026, an unusual timing which added to the surprise of his dismissal.
In a brief statement, Forest said: “Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that Sean Dyche has been relieved of his duties as head coach.
“We would like to thank Sean and his staff for their efforts during their time at the Club and we wish them the best of luck for the future. We will be making no further comment at this time.”
Dyche was appointed in October 2025 following a spell at Everton. The club tasked him with steering Forest away from relegation trouble, like many of his recent appointments. At the time of this article, the club sit 17th, three points above the drop zone.
While this may look as though Dyche was failing, reports show he held a 33.3% win record, which was better than his two predecessors this season. Additionally, he only lost one of his last six Premier League matches and was even nominated for Manager of the Month for January.
His departure follows earlier exits for Nuno Espírito Santo and Ange Postecoglou this season, with scrutiny now intensifying on owner Evangelos Marinakis after another impulsive change in the dugout.
Marseille confirm De Zerbi exit amid Premier League links
Olympique de Marseille has confirmed Roberto De Zerbi has left the club by mutual agreement.
In a statement issued on February 10 2026, the Ligue 1 side said: “Olympique de Marseille and Roberto De Zerbi, coach of the first team, have announced the end of their collaboration by mutual agreement.”
The club explained that following discussions between the owner, president, director of football and head coach, “it was decided to make a change at the helm of the first team”, describing it as “a difficult collective decision” taken “in the best interests of the club”.
De Zerbi joined Marseille in the summer of 2024 after his departure from Brighton & Hove Albion, where he delivered the club’s highest-ever Premier League finish and secured European qualification.
He guided Marseille to second place in 2024/25 and leaves with the team currently fourth, 12 points behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
“Olympique de Marseille would like to thank Roberto De Zerbi for his dedication, commitment, professionalism, and seriousness,” the statement continued.
De Zerbi has already been linked with a move back to the English top-flight with vacancies at both Tottenham and Nottingham Forest.
With the managerial merry-go-round covered for now, it’s time to look at some of the other moves in sports this week.
Snapshot Moves
- Andrew Rhodes has revealed he will step down as CEO of the UK Gambling Commission on April 30 2026, with Deputy CEO Sarah Gardner to become Acting Chief Executive during the transition.
- Nicolas de Tavernost reportedly plans to leave LFP Media after beIN Sports outbid Ligue 1+ for 2026 World Cup pay-TV rights.
- Jill Bodensteiner will become the seventh Commissioner of the Horizon League on April 15 2026, after a tenure as VP and Director of Athletics at Saint Joseph’s University.
- Cricketer David Warner has joined global gaming platform Parimatch as Brand Ambassador and Responsible Gaming Advocate.
- Tennis legend Stefanie Graf has partnered with CRIVIT to launch the global “FIND YOUR MOVE” campaign promoting active lifestyles.
- Paul Green has left his role as Chelsea’s Head of Women’s Football after 13 years, in which he helped the club win 19 trophies.
We’re spotlighting the movers and shakers shaping the sports business every Friday.
Submit your people moves to Insider Sport’s Business Journalist, Kieran O’Connor, at [email protected] to be featured in the next edition of Sideline Moves.
Catch up on last week’s Sideline Moves to learn why EuroLeague Basketball has selected a former NBA Europe executive as its new CEO.
