John Heitinga chose to depart Tottenham of his own accord and was not forced out by Igor Tudor.

John Heitinga chose to leave Tottenham of his own accord and was not forced out by Igor Tudor.

Heitinga was appointed as Tottenham’s assistant first-team coach last month, replacing Matt Wells, who departed Spurs to become head coach of the Colorado Rapids. Following Thomas Frank’s dismissal last week, there was speculation that Heitinga could step in as interim head coach until the end of the season, given his previous managerial experience with Ajax.

However, the club opted to appoint the experienced Igor Tudor, who arrived at Hotspur Way with three members of his own coaching staff.

Amid the restructuring under Tudor, it emerged on Monday that Heitinga had left his role at the north London club, surprising some observers. According to the Daily Mail, the 42-year-old made the decision himself. Appointed during Frank’s tenure, the Dutchman reportedly did not wish to remain as part of Tudor’s new coaching setup.

Ivan Javorcic has joined as assistant coach, Riccardo Raganacci as physical coach, and Tomislav Rogic as goalkeeping coach until the end of the season. All three previously worked with Tudor at Juventus.

Meanwhile, set-piece coach Andreas Georgson, who arrived under Frank, has remained at the club, as has goalkeeping coach Fabian Otte, despite Rogic’s appointment.