The axe has finally fallen at Tottenham. Thomas Frank is out after a nightmare run that's left Spurs staring at the unthinkable – a genuine relegation battle. For a club with their resources, their fancy stadium, and recent European trophy, being anywhere near the drop zone is frankly embarrassing.
The numbers tell a grim story. No wins in eight games. Just two victories in their last 17 Premier League matches. That's relegation form, plain and simple. Tuesday's limp 2-1 defeat to Newcastle was the final straw for the Tottenham board.
Sure, Spurs did well in the Champions League, progressing straight to the last 16. But when you're potentially three points from the relegation zone, European glory means nothing. West Ham below them have grabbed 10 points from five games. Nottingham Forest could draw level on 29 points with a win over Wolves. The walls were closing in.
Pochettino: The Romantic Return?
Spurs fans were singing Mauricio Pochettino's name during that Newcastle defeat, and who can blame them? The Argentine gave them four straight top-four finishes and that magical Champions League final run in 2019. He's beloved in north London, and the affection is clearly mutual.
But here's the problem – Pochettino currently manages the United States national team. And with the 2026 World Cup happening on home soil, would he really walk away now? His contract runs through the tournament, so any deal would be complicated. An interim arrangement until summer might be Tottenham's best bet if they're serious about reuniting with Poch.
For punters eyeing Tottenham's relegation odds, a Pochettino appointment would likely see those numbers shift dramatically. But realistically, this feels like a summer move rather than an immediate solution.
Other Candidates in the Frame
Roberto De Zerbi just became available after leaving Marseille, which is convenient timing. He's a top-quality coach with an attractive style of play. The Italian could provide the galvanizing effect needed to grab three or four wins and secure safety. Then Spurs could reassess in summer with a proven tactician already in place.
Oliver Glasner is another interesting option. He's won the FA Cup and Community Shield with Crystal Palace but announced he's leaving at season's end. Tottenham might try to bring that departure forward, though Palace won't make it easy – especially as they're not completely safe themselves.
Marco Silva has done brilliant work at Fulham for five seasons, but after the Frank experiment, would Spurs want another manager from a mid-table club? Then there's Xabi Alonso, fresh from his Real Madrid exit. He'd be everyone's dream appointment, but Liverpool and Manchester City will surely offer more attractive propositions come summer.
The wildcard? Ange Postecoglou. Yes, the man Tottenham sacked after winning the Europa League but finishing 17th. He's available after a brief Forest disaster, knows the squad, and remains popular with some fans. Stranger things have happened in football, though this would be extraordinarily strange indeed.
