Five managers who could replace Thomas Frank, from the most likely to the most ambitious - Opinion
Tottenham Hotspur fans are growing more and more frustrated with Thomas Frank and it feels like it’s only a matter of time before he’s gone now.
Things just keep going from bad to worse for Frank and Tottenham. A poor start to 2026 hit a new low on Saturday when the Lilywhites lost to local rivals West Ham in the dying moments.
Spurs last won a game on 28 December, 2025. Another defeat this week, against Borussia Dortmund, could well spell the end for the Danish manager.
While Frank insists he will stay and fight, we can’t help thinking about who could be next in the Hotspur hotseat. So, here are five options, ranging from the more natural choices to some pretty big names.
- READ MORE: Thomas Frank is already being lined up by a Premier League club if Tottenham pull the plug
Mauricio Pochettino and Oliver Glasner are clear favourites for Tottenham
Every single time Spurs are considering finding a new manager, Mauricio Pochettino’s name comes up. It’s so obvious, and it also makes a lot of sense. He oversaw the most positive era in the club’s modern history and the fans absolutely love him.
It is thought Pochettino is on Tottenham’s shortlist if and when they need a new manager, and it’s also believed Pochettino himself is keen on the job. Whether it’s a good idea to go backwards or not is another matter, but at this point, would it really be so bad to go for the emotional decision and try and bring some harmony to the club?
Meanwhile, another name touted time and time again of late is Oliver Glasner. He’s done great work at Crystal Palace, winning the FA Cup and taking them into Europe, but we know Glasner is leaving Palace at the end of this season.
Although Palace have been on a dismal run of late, Glasner still has the pedigree to make him a frontrunner for the Spurs job. The only issue is, with plans to leave in the summer, would he be able to escape sooner and move to Tottenham?
Don’t rule out Fabian Hurzeler to Tottenham
Clearly, Spurs have a thing for hiring managers from the best of the rest in the Premier League. Thomas Frank was exactly that, and while it hasn’t worked out this time, that doesn’t mean the Lilywhites won’t try again.
They may well go for a younger model, too, with Fabian Hurzeler. It’s said Spurs are keen on Hurzeler and like what he’s done at Brighton.
Obviously, Tottenham are a bigger club than Brighton, there’s no disputing that. But, are Spurs really a better project than Brighton right now? Maybe not, and that may well deter Hurzeler from jumping ship.
Still, he’s a young manager who has proven he can get the best out of players (just look at Danny Welbeck’s form this season), and Spurs could certainly do with that kind of invigoration right now.
If Spurs are feeling ambitious, they may look at Xavi or Xabi Alonso
Much like the appointments of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte in the past, Tottenham may be tempted to go for a huge name as their next manager. Luckily for them, two of the most prestigious coaches are currently available.
Xabi Alonso was just sacked by Real Madrid and will be looking for his next challenge. Fans would love to see if the Spaniard can pick up where he left off at Bayer Leverkusen, where he oversaw an incredible unbeaten run and led them to their first-ever Bundesliga title.
However, it’s said Xabi Alonso may have ‘better options’ when it comes to finding his next job, which would leave Spurs looking elsewhere.
Meanwhile, his compatriot Xavi Hernandez is still unemployed despite leaving Barcelona in the summer of 2024. Xavi has been linked with Spurs before, but after so long on the market, maybe he’s finally ready to take the plunge.
In terms of his status in the game as both a player and a manager, Xavi would be one of the top picks if you asked supporters. While he’s never quite lived up to Barca’s impeccable standards, per se, he did win La Liga in 2022/23, and he’d certainly be an upgrade on Thomas Frank.
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