Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has been a man under huge pressure over recent weeks, with Saturday’s draw at Burnley undoubtedly cranking up the pressure on his shoulders.
The Dane is currently on a run of one Premier League win in the last five matches, with the Lilywhites firmly languishing in the bottom half of the table.
The 52-year-old was brought into the club with the task of leading them back up the table, after only managing to finish 17th under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou.
However, the 2-2 draw at relegation-threatened Burnley could prove to be his final game in charge of the Lilywhites, with the supporters voicing their discontent at the final whistle.
As a result, numerous managers have been touted with the role in recent weeks, which could lead to the hierarchy appointing one of a number of options in the near future.
European boss now wants the Spurs manager job
Since Frank has become a man under pressure at Spurs, a whole host of managers have been touted with the job, including current Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner.
The Austrian has been hugely admired behind the scenes in North London over recent years, but no move has ever been made for his services - but that could change.
He announced last week that he would be departing the Eagles at the end of the season, which could make a potential move across the capital somewhat viable.
However, he’s not the only option currently in the hierarchy’s sights at present, with former Barcelona manager Xavi another boss who is rated highly in North London.
According to Football Insider, the Spaniard would be keen on a move to take the reins of the Lilywhites in the coming months, should Frank be handed his marching orders.
The report states that the 45-year-old is looking to get back into management, after being without a job since leaving the LaLiga giants back in the summer of 2024.
It also confirms that the board are impressed by his CV in his managerial career, which could help his case to fill the role, should the Dane be relieved from his duties.
Why Xavi would be Pochettino 2.0 for Spurs
Over the last couple of weeks, former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has once again been touted with a move to return to the club and lead them forward.
The Argentine previously spent five and a half years in the role, subsequently leading them to their first-ever Champions League final back in the 2018/19 campaign.
The 53-year-old has previously fuelled speculation over a return to manage the Lilywhites, after stating that he knows he will return to North London at some point in his career.
However, despite rumours over a possible fairytale return to the club, any move would have to wait until the summer, with Pochettino set to lead the USA national team at the 2026 World Cup.
Given the recent slump in form over recent weeks, it remains to be seen how long the hierarchy given Frank to turn the situation around - but no doubt a change is likely.
They could opt to wait until the summer for a permanent appointment, or look to make an immediate change - which could see Xavi make his mark in the Premier League.
Such a move could allow the Lilywhites to find their next version of Pochettino, with the Spaniard able to take the club to the next level - just as the Argentine did.
Whilst he’s never managed in England’s top-flight before, his stats elsewhere make for excellent reading, which could aid the club in their ambitions of rising up the table in the near future.
Xavi, who’s been dubbed “incredible” by former teammate Andrés Iniesta, achieved a 70% win record for Barca, winning 71 of his 102 matches in charge of the club.
He also achieved a staggering 2.3 points per game record, conceding just 87 times in the process - highlighting his ability to create a well-drilled and defensive outfit - something which the Lilywhites have greatly lacked under Frank.
Xavi also managed to win the LaLiga title back in the 2022/23 campaign, potentially making him the perfect man to instil a winning mentality into the Spurs squad.
It remains unclear how long Frank will be given to turn things around, but it’s evident that the 52-year-old is on borrowed time given his recent form in the Premier League.
However, there’s no denying that other options are being lined up by the board, with the former Barca boss potentially the perfect boss to fill the void in North London.
Many will be demanding the return of Pochettino should the Dane depart, but a fresh start with a new manager could be exactly what the club needs to take them to the next level.