Pressure is mounting on Thomas Frank just six months into his first season at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Dane has experienced an underwhelming start to life in north London since his appointment last summer.
Spurs sit 14th in the Premier League, having won just seven of their 22 games this season, and large sections of the fanbase have already lost faith in the former Brentford boss.
During the closing stages of Saturday’s home defeat to West Ham, Frank was taunted by his own supporters with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning.”
The board has so far backed him despite the struggles, but another loss has increased the pressure on the club’s hierarchy to weigh up whether they should act immediately or give Frank a chance to turn things around.
Some fans have already given up. Speaking to Gambling.com, a UK sports and gambling authority that also tracks casino bonus offers and betting markets, they said: “It’s clear the home form hasn’t changed. That lack of faith from supporters could force the board’s hand. There’s no Daniel Levy now, so someone has to step up and make the tough decisions.”
Frank joined Spurs in June following the dismissal of Ange Postecoglou.
Despite winning the Europa League last season, the Australian oversaw the lowest finish in the club’s Premier League history, and Frank was appointed to bring stability.
Having developed a solid team at Brentford that often punched above its weight, Frank was ready to make the step up to one of the league’s elite sides, but with the club way off securing European football, they could not pull the trigger.
If Spurs decide to restart the project at the end of the season, these are the managers who could replace Frank.
Oliver Glasner – 2/1
Leading the bookies’ favourites at 2/1, Oliver Glasner announced he will leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season, making the timing perfect for Tottenham.
The Austrian arrived at Selhurst Park in 2024, having won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt, and he has delivered trophies and European qualification during his time in south London.
At Palace, Glasner had to sell stars like Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, and Marc Guéhi to balance the books.
At Spurs, he would have resources to build rather than constantly rebuild.
Glasner plays an aggressive, high-pressing style that would suit Tottenham’s attacking talent, and his ability to develop young players aligns with the club’s long-term vision.
The question is whether he wants another demanding job immediately after Palace or prefers a break from the Premier League, having previously been linked with Bayern Munich.
Mauricio Pochettino – 4/1
A reunion after the World Cup feels inevitable at some point.
Mauricio Pochettino was unlucky during his first spell at Spurs, finishing second in the league and reaching the Champions League final while playing some of the best football the club has produced in recent years.
Pochettino currently manages the United States national team, but his contract runs out after the World Cup. An emotional return to north London would appeal to supporters who still regard him as the best manager of the modern era, though the question is whether he wants to rebuild again without the core that made his first spell so great, despite not lifting a trophy.
The Argentine won’t have Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Dele Alli, or Christian Eriksen this time.
The squad lacks the identity his previous team possessed, and Pochettino would need time to recreate that chemistry.
When the wheels came off last time, the decline was steep.
Whether he’d want to risk his legacy remains unclear.
Xabi Alonso – 4/1
Xabi Alonso stepped down as Real Madrid manager following a 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de España, but according to The Times, the former Liverpool midfielder is keen on a move to the Premier League, and Tottenham represent an attractive project.
Alonso oversaw an unbeaten Bundesliga season at Bayer Leverkusen before taking the Madrid job, demonstrating his ability to build dominant teams.
His spell at the Bernabéu ended poorly, but the circumstances were difficult, and his credentials remain strong.
He plays a three-at-the-back system that worked well for Tottenham under Postecoglou, and his tactical flexibility would suit the squad’s current shape.
The complication is Liverpool.
If Arne Slot leaves Anfield, Alonso would be the leading candidate to replace him.
Tottenham may struggle to compete with that opportunity, and Alonso could decide to wait rather than commit to Spurs.
Marco Silva – 6/1
Over the last five years, Marco Silva has quietly transformed Fulham from a relegation-threatened yo-yo club into a stable Premier League outfit capable of competing in Europe.
His work at Craven Cottage has earned him admirers across the league, and a move from West to North London would represent a logical next step in his career.
The Portuguese manager has that passion on the touchline that might resonate with supporters in a way Frank’s measured approach hasn’t yet.
The risk is whether Silva’s methods scale up to a bigger club.
Fulham’s expectations are modest compared to Spurs, and the pressure of competing for trophies rather than survival could expose limitations like at Everton.
Silva has earned the chance to prove himself at a top-six club, but Spurs would be taking a gamble.
Enzo Maresca – 8/1
Enzo Maresca is without a club after leaving Chelsea on New Year’s Day following a breakdown in his relationship with the board.
The Italian spent 18 months at Stamford Bridge, winning the Club World Cup and Conference League, but could not establish the consistency the owners demanded.
His credentials remain strong.
Maresca was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City and understands the tactical sophistication required to compete at the highest level.
The question is whether he wants the Tottenham job or would prefer to wait for Guardiola’s position to become available.
Luis Enrique and other candidates, including Xavi and Pep Lijnders, are also in that market, which could push Maresca toward Spurs to prove himself further.
The next Spurs manager will inherit more than just a squad.
They step into a club under pressure, with fans searching for belief and a season that has already tested patience.
Success will be measured in restored confidence, sharper performances, and a sense that the group will compete consistently at the top.
Every decision, from team selection to transfers, will carry weight, and the first few months could set the tone for months or years to come.
