If things weren’t already bad enough, the 2–1 loss to West Ham has really tipped things over the edge. Sitting 14th after 22 games with just 27 points is nowhere near acceptable, and the performances haven’t exactly inspired confidence either. Unsurprisingly, there’s already noise about Frank’s future, which is wild considering he only came in over the summer. Moving him on this quickly would just underline how directionless the club looks right now.
According to Sky Sports News, the board is actively looking at alternatives, even if no final decision has been made yet. One obvious issue is timing. Sacking a manager mid-season is always risky, especially when the best candidates might not even be available.
Xabi Alonso’s name has been mentioned since he’s currently out of work after leaving Real Madrid, but there’s no real indication he’d want to jump straight back into management. That one feels more like wishful thinking than anything concrete.
Oliver Glasner is another name in the mix, with reports suggesting his relationship with the Crystal Palace hierarchy has broken down. He could be available soon, but his more pragmatic, defensive style probably wouldn’t go down well with Spurs fans. A lot of supporters already feel Frank doesn’t “get” the club’s attacking identity, so replacing him with another defence-first coach might just pour petrol on the fire.
Andoni Iraola is a much more interesting option. He’s had Bournemouth playing aggressive, front-foot football, and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, a move wouldn’t be overly complicated. There are fair criticisms about how open his teams can be defensively, but it’s also worth remembering Bournemouth lost key defensive players over the summer, including both starting centre-backs and their goalkeeper.
Fabian Hürzeler at Brighton has also been linked. He’s only 32 and still relatively unproven at the very top level, but his football is easy on the eye and fits the kind of identity Spurs fans say they want.
Whatever happens, it feels like Tottenham are at a crossroads again, and whether they stick with Frank or pull the trigger early could say a lot about where the club thinks it’s heading.
