Who could become Tottenham’s next manager if the club decides to part ways with Thomas Frank?
Thomas Frank is already feeling the heat at Tottenham after taking over in the summer, with just one win in five Premier League matches and two painfully flat performances against their fiercest rivals, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Supporters are already losing patience with his approach — and that’s assuming there is an identifiable approach, which wasn’t evident in those bruising derby defeats or in most Spurs displays this season.
A loss in Paris during the week won’t cost him much, but Sunday’s home match against Fulham could. With that in mind, here’s a rundown of the top 10 names being floated as potential successors at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, according to Sportscasting:
10) Roberto De Zerbi
It feels inevitable that De Zerbi will return to the Premier League. One can easily picture a Mourinho-style comeback, complete with fiery soundbites after a spell in France that makes him even more unfiltered. Marseille are in a title race and most managers wouldn’t dare leave mid-battle — but De Zerbi isn’t “most managers,” and he has the temperament to walk out loudly, leaving chaos behind.
9) Erik ten Hag
He regularly appears on these lists as a free and experienced coach, but his disastrous 62-day spell at Bayer Leverkusen — where staff reportedly wondered if he was the “worst coach in the club’s history” — is a stain that’s hard to overlook.
8) Brendan Rodgers
We’d like to see him back, wherever he lands. Leeds are keen, but Tottenham would be a fascinating match — the ultimate test of his ego. It would be like David Brent meeting Milhouse and realising, on a global stage, that he’s not quite the leading man he imagines.
7) Unai Emery
Aston Villa have quietly climbed to fourth place despite bizarre preseason doubts about his future. With Villa operating on a negative net spend under Emery, Spurs would relish that sort of cost-effective success.
6) Xavi
Out of work since leaving Barcelona in 2023/24, Xavi was said to be targeting an “interesting” Premier League club. Whatever he meant by “interesting,” it’s unlikely he had Tottenham in mind.
5) Kieran McKenna
Linked with Manchester United and Chelsea in summer 2024 after taking Ipswich up, McKenna may have missed his chance at a direct jump to a Big Six role unless he takes Ipswich straight back up again.
4) Marco Silva
A very Tottenham-type appointment: a manager under pressure at his current job. A strong win over Sunderland has eased things at Fulham for now, and Sunday’s clash against Spurs could be a perfect audition for Silva.
3) Andoni Iraola
Bournemouth’s wild form swings continue — two defeats and a draw following an eight-game unbeaten streak. Just when it looked like he might already be too good for Spurs, the inconsistency drags him back into realistic-contender territory.
2) Oliver Glasner
Crystal Palace are desperate to extend his contract as he keeps performing miracles, even after losing Eberechi Eze this summer and Michael Olise the year before. Palace look capable of European qualification and are favourites for the Conference League title. His success with underdog clubs may actually suit Tottenham.
1) Mauricio Pochettino
Every USMNT press appearance makes him look like he’s enduring punishment, but his results have been impressive, capped by a 5-1 win over Uruguay. He’s expected to become available after the World Cup — but not before.