Tottenham have reportedly started talks with Xabi Alonso over replacing Thomas Frank as Spurs head coach after the Spaniard was sacked by Real Madrid.
Real Madrid announced that Alonso had left the Bernabeu on Monday evening after he lost the Spanish Super Cup to Barcelona over the weekend.
Los Blancos are also trailing arch-rivals Barcelona in the La Liga table by four points, something which is always unacceptable at the Bernabeu, while Alonso struggled to deal with a demanding group of players.
A Real Madrid statement on Monday read: ‘Real Madrid C. F. wishes to announce that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to bring his time as first team coach to an end.
‘Xabi Alonso will always carry the affection and admiration of all Madridistas because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.
‘We would like to thank Xabi Alonso and all his coaching staff for their hard work and dedication throughout this time, and wish them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives.’
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And now Tottenham are set to swoop in and attempt to bring Alonso to north London as Frank comes under intense pressure to turn around results at Spurs.
Tottenham have won just one of their last seven matches and there are rumours that the Spurs board are ‘split’ over whether to sack Frank.
And now Spanish website Fichajes insists that Tottenham ‘have begun formal negotiations to sign’ Alonso and ‘his international reputation remains undiminished in the eyes of the English club’s owners’ despite his Real Madrid sacking.
Alonso ‘has generated unanimous support among the club’s senior management’ and the Tottenham board are ‘confident that his modern vision of football will suit their players’ style’.
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The report adds: ‘Negotiations are progressing positively, with both parties keen to finalize a permanent agreement that would allow the Tolosa native to take charge before the end of winter. For Tottenham, securing a manager of this caliber sends a message of ambition to their direct rivals, who are closely watching this strategic move behind the scenes.’
Former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas doubts Frank “is going to last very long” after their recent run of results.
Jenas said: “I don’t think Thomas Frank is going to last very long personally, and I only say that because I watch a lot of like players’ mannerisms like their body language when they’re talking to him or if he’s talking to them.
“I was watching the Sunderland game the other day, and you know, players are coming off the bench and just not even looking at looking in his face when he’s talking to them. And there’s a clear I don’t know, there’s a clear breakdown in terms of maybe what he’s asking the players to do and the players just not agreeing with it.”