Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is under mounting pressure after a dismal first campaign in charge which sees the Lilywhites languishing in midtable, and Spurs are believed to be weighing up his future behind-the-scenes.
The former Brentford boss arrived at N17 last summer with genuine optimism that he could restore Spurs back amongst the Premier League elite.
Instead, the 52-year-old has presided over what ranks amongst the most miserable seasons in recent memory for the fallen giants.
Tottenham currently lie 14th in the table, closer to the relegation spots than a place in the top four, which is a catastrophic outcome for a club that demands European qualification at an absolute minimum.
The gap between Frank's struggling side and those coveted Champions League spots looks increasingly unbridgeable with each passing week.
Last weekend's credible 2-2 stalemate against Man City offered brief respite from the negativity swirling around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. However, one decent result against Pep Guardiola's side cannot possibly disguise the underlying mess Frank has created.
The upcoming fixture schedule offers precious little encouragement for the embattled manager either.
Upcoming clashes against Man United, Newcastle and fierce rivals Arsenal represent potential banana skins that could accelerate Frank's exit from the club.
Tottenham failed to back Frank with a proven new forward in January too, only adding to the Dane's woes, with Spurs instead settling on deals for Conor Gallagher and young Brazilian left-back Souza.
Behind closed doors at Tottenham, patience amongst the hierarchy has worn dangerously thin.
Whispers suggest that another string of poor outcomes would trigger Frank's immediate dismissal, bringing a swift conclusion to what's been an ill-fated marriage between manager and club.
Former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, who guided them to successive top four finishes with barely any transfer backing and spearheaded a Champions League final place in 2019, is a rumoured candidate to succeed Frank.
Mauricio Pochettino 'would unequivocally accept' Tottenham job
TEAMtalk have shared a fresh update on this, and it appears the USA manager is very keen on the possibility of a reunion.
United also remain keen admirers of Pochettino amid their own ongoing manager hunt, but an inside source is quoted saying Spurs' pull is "too strong to ignore" for the ex-Southampton, PSG and Chelsea boss.
According to TT, Pochettino 'would unequivocally accept' the Tottenham job if offered it after the World Cup this year, where he is set to lead the USA as they host the tournament on home soil.
In the meantime, it is believed that John Heitinga has emerged as the leading candidate to step into the role on an interim basis, should Frank get the chop before summer arrives.
The Dutchman already works within Frank's coaching setup at Tottenham, making him the logical stopgap appointment until better options materialise.
Pochettino departed Spurs abruptly back in 2019 despite guiding them to a Champions League final just months earlier.
That sense of unfinished business has never truly left the 52-year-old, who retains enormous affection for the club where he enjoyed his greatest managerial success.