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Tottenham have placed Porto manager Francesco Farioli on their shortlist as they consider sacking Thomas Frank, though sources indicate they could face Premier League competition for his signature.

The 36-year-old Italian tactician, currently steering FC Porto through an incredible Primeira Liga campaign, is emerging as a hot commodity on the managerial market.

With his innovative approach blending high-pressing football and data-driven strategies, Farioli has transformed Porto into a formidable force, challenging Benfica and Sporting CP for domestic supremacy.

Sources state that Farioli’s impressive track record – honed during stints at Alanyaspor, Fatih Karagumruk, and Nice – has caught the eye of several Premier League clubs.

However, this season, he has gone to another level. Farioli boasts an incredible 86.21 win percentage record since taking charge at the Estadio Dragao. His side are also unbeaten in the league, only drawing one game, and have conceded just four goals. They sit seven points clear at the top of the Portuguese top flight – on track for their first league title since 2021/22.

Sources confirm Tottenham have placed Farioli on their shortlist as they explore alternatives to Frank. The Dane has endured a difficult spell as Spurs boss and despite being in charge for tonight’s game against Borussia Dortmund, is at serious risk of losing his job and is on borrowed time.

Interestingly, sources also confirm that Farioli was also on Tottenham’s radar before they appointed Frank. But Spurs aren’t alone in being admirers, with at least two more Premier League clubs in the mix, as he emerges as one of the most in-demand coaches in Europe.

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Tottenham one of three Prem clubs keen on Farioli

We understand that Bournemouth have earmarked Farioli as a potential replacement should they part ways with Andoni Iraola.

The Spanish manager, lauded for his tactical acumen at Rayo Vallecano before joining the Cherries, remains highly coveted by bigger clubs across Europe.

Bournemouth’s ownership, keen to establish stability, views Farioli as an ideal fit to maintain their progressive style if Iraola departs in the summer, which is likely.

Crystal Palace are also monitoring the situation closely and have him listed. With Oliver Glasner’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, the Eagles are preparing for change.

Glasner, is incredibly frustrated at the board for sales of Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze and is ready for a new challenge. He is one of the favourites for the Manchester United job.

Farioli’s appeal lies in his youth and adaptability; at just 36, he represents the next generation of coaches and is spoken about incredibly highly by those in the game. Porto, however, are determined to retain their man, with contract talks underway.

Farioli has been close to a British move before as he spoke to Rangers in the past. However, he looks destined for the Premier League and the top of European football.

Latest Tottenham news: Frank sack latest / Spurs star asks to leave

Meanwhile, respected journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Frank’s job is indeed at ‘serious risk’ as they prepare to face Dortmund this evening.

“[It’s] a really terrible situation, a moment for Tottenham,” Romano reported, adding: “Let’s see what happens in the next hours and days.”

In other news, my colleague, Graeme Bailey, has reported that Mathys Tel has requested to leave Tottenham – just seven months after joining the club permanently.

He has been controversially been left out of Spurs’ Champions League squad by Frank – and his relationship with the club is now at ‘breaking point’, per sources.

Thomas Frank could be just hours from the sack at Tottenham Hotspur, with a growing belief that it’s now a question of ‘when, not if’ he will be removed from the role and with two exciting new contenders suddenly thrust into contention to become their next manager.

The Dane was seen as a shrewd appointment by Tottenham over the summer and a wise figurehead who could steady the ship after a topsy-turvy season overseen by predecessor Ange Postecoglou. Despite ending the club’s 17-year long wait for silverware, their performances in the Premier League, which resulted in a 17th-placed finish, was enough for then-chairman Daniel Levy to pull the trigger on the Aussie’s reign.

However, Frank has fared little better since taking charge, and a dire 34.38 win percentage record over his 32 games so far has heaped the pressure on his shoulders.

Now, with morale at an all-time low in the wake of Saturday’s unacceptable 2-1 home defeat to struggling West Ham, David Ornstein confirmed on Sunday evening that it is now a question of ‘when not if’ Frank will be sacked, amid a series of damning allegations over the 52-year-old’s reign.

Our correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, believes that Frank may be spared the sack for the time being at least, with sources adamant that he will be in charge for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund.

But just how long he will remain at the helm remains open to some debate and, speaking over the weekend in the wake of the loss to the Hammers, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed he’s now on borrowed time.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “[It’s] a really terrible situation, a moment for Tottenham.

“Yes, Tottenham tried to show support for Thomas Frank by appointing John Heitinga, former Arne Slot assistant at Liverpool, as a new part of the backroom staff during the week. So, trying to add one more piece to the backroom staff and to show support in a beautiful picture with Thomas Frank and John Heitinga.

“But then over the weekend, Saturday, Tottenham lose again. Now the situation is very, very complicated for Thomas Frank at Tottenham, his job is at serious risk, so let’s see what happens in the next hours and days…”

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Next Tottenham manager: Two new names thrust into contention

Romano continued: “But the situation of Thomas Frank at Tottenham is not safe at this stage, so they could change the manager. Let’s see if it’ll be now, or if they will give him the opportunity to try to turn the situation. But the situation is very tense for Thomas Frank at Tottenham.

“Thomas Frank is fighting to keep his job at Tottenham, but the club will decide very soon.

“Internal talks are taking place, and it’s going to be a crucial moment for the future of Thomas Frank at Tottenham. Then there is Champions League football, so let’s see with the timing what Tottenham decide to do.

“But the situation of Thomas Frank is in danger, so let’s see what’s going to happen. He’s not safe in this moment; his job at Tottenham is not safe.”

However, amid Fletcher’s revelation that any Spurs change is likely to be in the summer, with an interim – most likely Heitinga – appointed to see the club through the season, Spurs have been linked with two new eye-catching names to potentially become their next manager.

First up, an upcoming Premier League manager with ‘a rare skill’ has been put high on Tottenham’s radar, according to reports on Monday.

Now, Fletcher’s sources can also confirm the club are looking to Francesco Farioli, the Italian coach, who is doing an excellent job in charge of FC Porto.

The 36-year-old boasts an incredible 86.21 win percentage record since taking charge at the Estadio Dragao.

We’ll have more details on this across the afternoon right here on TEAMtalk.

Ranking Tottenham managerial contenders; Xabi and Xavi links assessed

Elsewhere, sources have told us that Xabi Alonso, who recently parted company as the Real Madrid manager, is also on Tottenham’s radar, though the Spaniard appears to have taken a dim view to the links as he sets his sights on a more high-profile role.

Spurs are also linked with Oliver Glasner, though hopes of an immediate raid on Crystal Palace have faded after Eagles chairman Steve Parish took a strong stand.

North London have also been linked with former Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez, amid claims they have sounded out the legendary figure about becoming their next boss.

With so many names linked, we have ranked all nine of the candidates, ranging from most suitable to most ridiculous.

Meanwhile, on the transfer front, Tottenham are dealing with a growing issue around a big-name summer signing, who has been pushed to breaking point and has made clear his desire to leave the club.

Tottenham Hotspur are dealing with a growing issue around Mathys Tel, who has once again reiterated his desire to leave the club after being left out of Thomas Frank’s Champions League squad, we understand.

Tel has been increasingly unsettled in North London, but following talks earlier this month, he was willing to stay, but his omission from the European list is understood to have pushed his frustration to a breaking point.

The 20-year-old was signed from Bayern Munich by former boss Ange Postecoglou on an initial loan deal last season, and his move to Tottenham Hotspur was made permanent in June for £30m (€35m, $40m), just three days after Frank’s appointment.

However, the French forward has started just six Premier League games this term and is becoming increasingly frustrated by his lack of playing time.

Those close to Tel say he now sees little chance of earning the minutes he expected when he joined Spurs, prompting him to reaffirm his intention to move on before the window shuts.

In response, we can reveal that Tel’s camp have begun working with intermediaries to explore potential exits – both permanent and loan options – as they look to secure a situation that guarantees him meaningful game time.

Several clubs in Germany, Spain, Italy and France are monitoring developments and are ready to engage if Spurs open the door.

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Tottenham reluctant to approve Tel exit as pressure ramps up

While Tel has expressed his desire to take on a new challenge, we understand that Tottenham are adamant they are not looking to let him leave, insisting they still see him as an important long‑term asset.

Frank is understood to rate the forward highly, but with fierce competition in attacking areas, he cannot offer the immediate pathway Tel is demanding.

With the player pushing harder than ever and intermediaries now actively sounding out opportunities, Spurs are under increasing pressure to make a definitive call.

Tel’s frustrations have also been reported by respected reporters Fabrizio Romano, Florian Plettenberg and Ben Jacobs.

Unless something shifts quickly, Tel’s future looks increasingly likely to lie away from North London.

Should Tel depart Tottenham this month, it could be something that the club ultimately regrets.

The youngster has long been considered an exciting prospect and only Bayern allowed him to leave reluctantly. Despite his limited minutes, he has still managed to notch three Premier League goals this term.

Spurs had to fight off competition from Manchester United when they initially signed Tel – though it seems his next move could be away from the Premier League if Frank does green light an exit.

As reported earlier this month, a move to Paris is one move being explored.

Latest Tottenham news: Frank replacement target / Liverpool plot raid

Meanwhile, reports suggest that Brighton and Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler has emerged as a shock candidate to replace Frank at Tottenham, should the Dane be sacked.

Xabi Alonso, Mauricio Pochettino, Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola are also understood to be on Spurs’ radar, as pressure on Frank intensifies.

In other news, Liverpool have genuine interest in Tottenham centre-back Micky van de Ven, and they could be at risk of losing him next summer if their poor form doesn’t improve.

A Tottenham star is now desperate to leave and is the dream target of one specific club this month after Thomas Frank snubbed the player in what will likely be one of his final acts as Spurs manager before being sacked.

Frank is on perilously thin ice at Tottenham, with David Ornstein confirming over the past 36 hours it’s a matter of “when and not if” the Dane is sacked.

The fans have turned, as have key members of the club’s hierarchy. Frustratingly for Frank, Ornstein also confirmed several Tottenham players have also had enough of the under-fire boss.

Frank will still be in charge for Tottenham’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund tonight, though all bets are off beyond that encounter, especially if they don’t win.

And according to three separate sources, Frank has angered a recent Tottenham signing in the build-up to the Dortmund game.

Speaking on Monday, Frank confirmed Mathys Tel has been left out of Tottenham’s Champions League squad for the second half of the season.

Tel was also omitted from Spurs’ squad for the UCL in the first half of the campaign before ultimately earning a reprieve after Dominic Solanke suffered a lengthy injury.

But with Solanke now back to full fitness, he has taken the spot Tel otherwise would have assumed. The decision to snub the £30m summer signing has gone down like a lead balloon with he and his camp.

Taking to X, all three of Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs and Florian Plettenberg confirmed Tel has reacted badly to the omission.

Tel was already weighing up his exit options, with Ligue 1 side Paris FC – not to be confused with PSG – exploring a loan deal. But on the back of the Champions League snub, Tel will now push even harder to leave. He believes that with regular game-time he can make France’s World Cup squad.

Romano wrote: “Tottenham manager Thomas Frank excludes again Mathys Tel from Champions League squad list.

“Frank makes space for Dominic Solanke and the only way was to remove Tel. The French striker and his camp, not happy at all with the decision.”

Jacobs stated: “Mathys Tel omitted from Tottenham’s Champions League squad for second time this season despite starting the last four games under Thomas Frank.

“Tel is understood to be surprised and disheartened. Dominic Solanke comes in to replace him.”

Plettenberg added: “Mathys Tel remain the absolute dream transfer target for Paris FC until Deadline Day. Tel still wants to leave Tottenham, as revealed.

“Edin Dzeko is also on the list, but Tel is internally ranked as the clear number one priority.”

Another reason Tel is believed to want out of Tottenham is the club’s reluctance to play him in his favoured striker position.

In the event, Frank is sacked, the recently-hired John Heitinga would be an obvious choice to assume control in an interim capacity.

Looking further into the future, TEAMtalk understands Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner and Mauricio Pochettino are on Spurs’ radar, though none are likely to be available until the summer.

Tentative approaches to Xabi Alonso who recently left Real Madrid were made, but Alonso has shown little willingness to take charge at Spurs.

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Latest Tottenham news – Van de Ven…

In other news, Tottenham are facing the devastating exit of Micky van de Ven unless a huge statement is made by the club over the coming months, with sources revealing how Premier League rivals Liverpool are ready to make a stunning swoop.

Liverpool hold genuine interest in Tottenham Hotspur star Micky van de Ven, we can confirm, and he could be one of several new arrivals at Anfield this summer.

Van De Ven has become one of the Premier League’s best defenders since joining Tottenham from Wolfsburg in August 2023. The centre-back is the fastest player in Premier League history, having clocked an extraordinary 37.38 km/h in January 2024, while he was named Tottenham’s player of the season in May 2024.

But Spurs’ struggles under Thomas Frank have led to speculation he might seek a transfer, with rivals Liverpool lurking with intent…

Liverpool interest in Micky van de Ven confirmed

Over the weekend, a speculative report claimed Arne Slot’s side are ‘preparing a €90million (£78m) bid’ to sign Van De Ven.

While talk of an offer being made has come too soon, our transfer insider Dean Jones has stated that ‘Liverpool’s interest is genuine’, with Real Madrid also watching the situation closely.

“Tottenham risk seeing their fears of losing Van de Ven intensify unless a new elite manager is in place by next summer,” Jones exclusively told us.

“The Dutch defender has not yet agreed a new deal and is believed to have delayed the issue while Thomas Frank has been in charge.

“He has been one of the few players to show spells of consistency and decent form this season, but Tottenham face losing him if their season is not salvaged, as he has been unconvinced by the project.

“He has also become aware of opportunities that may lie elsewhere. Liverpool’s interest is genuine, while Real Madrid are also keeping an eye on how things play out.

“Spurs did not anticipate having to bring in a new boss this season but have had to start drawing up options because of Frank’s shortcomings.

“Sources indicate that Spurs would push the ceiling in terms of the type of manager they would seek to succeed Frank, and identifying true candidates is part of the reason they have been delaying a decision on whether to sack him.”

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‘Four or five’ new signings eyed

Van De Ven could be one of four or even five new signings at Liverpool this summer, with the club preparing for another huge transfer window, according to Jones.

The Reds broke their transfer record on Florian Wirtz and then again on Alexander Isak last summer, while also capturing the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giovanni Leoni.

Despite over £440m of spending, Liverpool remain in a healthy financial position due to the sales of players such as Luis Diaz, Jarell Quansah, Darwin Nunez and Caoimhin Kelleher, which will help to fund yet more new arrivals.

“Liverpool could look at four or five more significant signings at the end of this season and that would mean more adaptation time needed for the squad,” Jones said.

“Sources are indicating that they are still very much going into the market for a centre-back, despite deciding not to get involved in a battle with Manchester City to sign Marc Guehi.

“And there are also hints that the Reds will sign another right-back, left-back and a central midfielder. They may even sign a new right sided attacker if Mohamed Salah leaves. It’s pretty alarming when you think about the depth of it and also there is still the question over Arne Slot.

“He was supposed to sign a new contract before the end of this season. Will they still go ahead with that?”

Worrying Konate update

Ibrahima Konate has rejected a contract offer from Liverpool as the two parties remain some way apart in their wage expectations, our transfer insider Graeme Bailey has confirmed.

We can reveal that Konate is not quite asking to be on par with Virgil van Dijk’s £300,000-a-week salary, as has been claimed elsewhere. Nevertheless, his demands are still too high for Liverpool.

Sporting director Richard Hughes believes the centre-back has been offered very good terms and thought the saga would be over by now.

Sources state that talks between the two parties went well in October and November, only to stall again in December.

Liverpool are confident the defender has not reached a pre-contract agreement with another side, though they are aware of rival interest.

Madrid previously looked into signing Konate on a free transfer but have been put off by his unreliable performances this season.

Tottenham Hotspur have added Brighton and Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler to their list of managerial targets, according to a report, as the future of Thomas Frank remains deeply uncertain.

Thomas Frank was appointed the Tottenham manager only in the summer of 2025, but poor results and performances mean that the former Brentford boss could be shown the exit even before the 2025/26 campaign ends.

Sources have told TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, that the sacking of Frank as the Tottenham manager is now ‘inevitable’.

We understand Tottenham are still standing by the Dane and will let him take charge of the Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday.

However, Spurs have already started identifying potential candidates to replace Frank, with Oliver Glasner of Crystal Palace among them.

Sources have told us that Xabi Alonso, who recently parted company as the Real Madrid manager, is also on Tottenham’s radar.

Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, too, is a candidate, and so is Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.

Brighton and Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler has now come on Tottenham’s radar, according to Football Insider.

The report has claimed that the 32-year-old German has ‘emerged as a top managerial target for Tottenham’.

The Tottenham hierarchy are said to have impressed by how Hurzeler handled his role at Brighton and has coped with the pressure of managing in the Premier League.

The report has noted that although the Hurzeler is under contract at Brighton until 2027, the former FC St. Pauli manager ‘could be tempted to take on a new challenge at Tottenham if offered the opportunity’.

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What has been said about Fabian Hurzeler

Hurzeler was appointed the Brighton manager in June 2024 and became the youngest ever full-time boss of a Premier League club; he was 31 at the time.

Brighton finished eighth in the Premier League table last season and are currently 12th in the standings, just seven points off the Champions League places.

While Hurzeler has impressed Tottenham, internally, Brighton rate him highly, too.

Brighton sporting director Jason Ayto told the club’s official website on December 25, 2025: “He has quickly become well respected within the game, and across the Premier League, which is even more impressive when you factor in his age.

“Fabian is a student of the game, someone who loves the detail and works incredibly hard.

“Conversations with him are always constructive – he’s open minded and values input, which makes working with him a pleasure.

“Fabian has an ability to balance tactical detail with man management. His work rate and drive are incredible, and he is meticulous in preparation.

“He is equally strong at building trust and confidence within the squad.

“Players respond well to him because he communicates clearly and understands what motivates individuals.”

Ayto added: “Fabian reads games well and isn’t afraid to make bold decisions.

“This has served us really well when you consider the number of goals from substitutes this season – our record is the best across the top five leagues in Europe.

“In play, he combines modern tactical thinking with a calm authority that players respect – that’s a rare skill for a coach.”

Brighton technical director Mike Cave said: “His substitutions often change games, which speaks to his ability to spot opportunities and act decisively to exploit them.

“But it also reflects the depth and balance of the squad he’s helped shape – he makes every player feels they have a role to play, and that’s important.

“Fabian has a very clear way he wants to play. We saw that at Nottingham Forest, with a really impressive performance and two very different aspects in both halves.

“Fluidity in the first half, in what was arguably one of our best performances in the Premier League; and then really good resilience and game management in the second half.

“Fabian sets clear principles for the players, but he also has the capability to adapt to opponents and situations. We don’t want just one style of play.”

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Latest Tottenham transfer news: Micky van de Ven blow, Wolves raid

Meanwhile, sources have told us about that the only way Micky van de Ven could leave Tottenham Hotspur in 2026, with Liverpool among the clubs interested in him.

Our transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, has reported Tottenham’s interest in a Wolves star, who is available for a transfer in the January transfer window.

Thomas Frank’s days are numbered as the head coach of Tottenham Hotspur, who once again find themselves searching for a new boss they can trust to take them to the next level.

Frank was only appointed in the summer as the replacement for Ange Postecoglou, who paid the price for finishing 17th in the Premier League despite winning the Europa League to end Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought.

Having impressed over a seven-year reign at Brentford, including four seasons in the Premier League, Frank was expected to perform well upon taking the next step in his career. But that hasn’t happened.

A loss to West Ham United over the weekend has put Frank in a more perilous position than ever, considering the dire form their opponents had also been in recently.

Now, Spurs are starting to mobilise for potential replacements for Frank, whose reputation among the fanbase is sinking rapidly.

But once Frank is out the door, who should Tottenham replace him with? We’ve ranked the candidates that are linked with the job – although an interim manager such as John Heitinga might see out the season first…

Iraola has gained plenty of admirers for his work with Bournemouth, but he will be out of contract with the Cherries at the end of the season, which could lead to plenty of interest in his services.

Favouring a 4-2-3-1 formation, Iraola has collected plenty of good results with Bournemouth, finishing 12th in his debut season and then three places higher last time out.

One of the challenges he will have to overcome over the next few months is how he adapts to losing his main source of goals after the sale of Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City.

But if he sticks to his playing philosophy, it could well be one that aligns with what Tottenham want to see for themselves.

They say never go back, but it might be too tempting in Pochettino’s case, with his reign feeling like the last time there was genuine unity at the club.

His replacement Jose Mourinho wasn’t universally popular, Nuno Espirito Santo didn’t last long, Antonio Conte garnered a similar vibe to Mourinho, Postecoglou ran out of excuses and Frank has failed to inspire at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Pochettino made Spurs a competitive outfit during his original tenure between 2014 and 2019, achieving finishes of fifth, third, second, third again and fourth from his full seasons in charge and also reaching a Champions League final.

The brand of football he brought to the club, while also navigating some trickier times in the transfer market, made him well-liked in north London until a stale run of form early in the 2019-20 season saw him dismissed.

Pochettino, who returned to the Premier League with Chelsea for the 2023-24 season, would be interested in having a second spell with Spurs.

However, his current role as the USA manager means they would have to wait until after their involvement in the World Cup concludes for him to commence work.

Pochettino did well with Spurs before, but they would have to be fully convinced he’d be worth the wait.

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Alonso is one of the more eye-catching names available on the managerial market at the moment after his premature departure from Real Madrid.

He will be hoping that not lasting a whole season there hasn’t knocked his reputation too much; after all, he previously guided Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title in 2023-24 with an unbeaten record.

His system in Germany was built from a back three, but he switched to a back four in Spain.

Alonso is believed to be wanting some time to assess his next move. If he took the Spurs job and struggled, it could derail his still-promising managerial career.

But his potential to cultivate a winning environment is undeniable, despite the issues he encountered at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

De Zerbi previously adapted well to the Premier League with Brighton before they went their separate ways and he winded up at Marseille.

Marseille finished as the runners-up to arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 last season, which was a major upswing compared to the season before De Zerbi took charge.

The Italian’s existing experience of English football would make him a strong candidate for the Spurs job, after TEAMtalk revealed earlier this month he was rising up their shortlist.

However, he isn’t afraid to leave clubs for what he would consider a step up in his career and, realistically, Tottenham aren’t close enough to the top of the food chain at the moment to be sure he would be a long-term solution.

Glasner has been kicking up a storm at Crystal Palace, having confirmed his intention to leave the club at the end of the season and suggested his departure may even be preponed to some point before then – although sources expect him to remain in his post until the summer.

Last season, Glasner led Palace to their first major trophy, winning the FA Cup and qualifying for European football in the process.

His achievements in south London have led to Glasner being one of the most talked-about managers in the Premier League right now as a candidate for various vacancies.

There could be some concerns about his short fuse with the way he has been speaking out against Palace from within recently, so he needs to prove he can control a pressurised environment.

Xavi has remained out of work since leaving Barcelona in 2024, a year after winning his first LaLiga title as a manager.

How he performs in an environment he didn’t previously play in remains to be seen, since the only other club he’s managed was Al Sadd – the same place he finished his playing career.

Xavi definitely has some degree of credit in the bank as the prospect of resuming his coaching career looms, but the identity he would presumably try to cultivate at his next club may not be as automatically ingrained as it was for Barcelona.

He has been aiming to learn English to put himself in contention for a Premier League job, but the Spurs squad would need a lot of work for him to be successful there.

Silva has found some stability at Fulham after shorter spells in English football with Hull City, Watford and Everton.

The youngest boss in the Premier League at the moment, Hurzeler is currently in his second season with Brighton.

He did a decent job to secure a top-half finish last season but still has a lot to prove before taking on a bigger job.

Keane had two spells with Tottenham as a player, who were the club he scored most for in his career.

The former striker has been a manager since 2023, first leading Maccabi Tel Aviv and now being in charge of Ferencvaros.

It’s a fairly unconventional path, but Keane has managed to win league titles with both of the clubs he has managed so far.

Still, the Spurs job would be a big leap for the 45-year-old, despite his existing connection with the club.

Under-fire Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank insists that he maintains the trust of the club at board level amid fierce speculation over his job and who could replace him, while also revealing a brutal selection call involving the in-form Mathys Tel and Dominic Solanke.

Frank heads into Tuesday night’s Champions League clash at home to Borussia Dortmund with his job hanging by a thread after a run of just one win in his last games in all competitions.

However, our sources have revealed that Tottenham are sticking with the Dane for now, given they are likely to have numerous options open to them in the summer when the managerial market is more flexible.

That’s not stopped the rumour mill, however, when in comes to the likes of Xabi Alonso, former boss Mauricio Pochettino and even former Barcelona chief Xavi.

Frank, though, insists that he is ready to ‘fight’ to keep his job, despite being asked what he knows about the discussions that have taken place at board level over recent days.

The Spurs chief said: “I’ve just been, how can you say, feeling the trust along the way. I’ve said that every press meeting. I had lunch with Nick, Vinai and Johan today and it was all good. All part of the media circus and I can only think about winning against Dortmund.

“Football is very simple but also a little bit complex. There are many moving parts.

“I think it is about keeping the noise out, staying calm, carrying on, looking at the performances. Are the players still running? They are running hard. I think the last three games, how they have come out from half-time and responded – it has been fantastic.

“Sometimes it is just football when you are going through that spell. Are you still running hard, still trying, still believing? Which I see signs of clearly in every game.

“Even the best manager in the world, Pep Guardiola, says ‘I am nothing without my players’ and it is fair to say they haven’t been available enough the whole time. But hey, no problem. I am happy to take the blame as long as everyone supports the players.”

As for dealing with all the scrutiny, Frank added: “If your back is against the wall, you fight. I am energetic and I fight. It is not about me, we need to win football matches and we need to do that together.

“We are ready and focused on the game together and the players look good.”

Frank was also asked if he can win the Tottenham fans back, adding: “Yes, I am not in doubt of that. In this game, you always need resilience.

“The three biggest things in showing resilience is having good values and I believe I am a guy that has good values. Second is you know reality and the reality is that one in five people don’t like you no matter what you do and one in five love you no matter what you do – both sides are probably biased, no matter what you do.

“And then there is the three and five, if you behave well, are respectful and show integrity then you are sweet. The reality is not everyone will like you.”

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Frank could be missing 15 players for Dortmund clash

Meanwhile, it’s been confirmed that Tottenham could be without as many as 15 first-team stars for the clash with Dortmund, as they look to force their way into the automatic qualifying spots for the knockout phase of the Champions League.

Among the names definitely sidelined are a number of key starters, news that will not help Frank as he battles to keep his job in north London.

Conor Gallagher – Ineligible

Micky van de Ven – Suspended

Mathys Tel – Ineligible

Ben Davies – Out injured

Archie Gray – Doubtful

Pape Sarr – Out illness

Yves Bissouma – Ineligible

Radu Dragusin – Ineligible

Dejan Kulusevski – Out injured

James Maddison – Out injured

Mohammed Kudus – Out injured

Rodrigo Bentancur – Out injured

Richarlison – Out injured

Joao Palhinha – Doubtful

Xavi Simons – Doubtful

Meanwhile, Frank was also asked about his decision to bring Dominic Solanke back into the squad at the expense of in-form winger Mathys Tel.

The latter has been a regular starter in the Premier League of late and has done a decent job in the troublesome left-wing position. He was initially left out of the European squad but then called up due to Solanke’s prolonged injury absence, only to now be dropped for the final two group games of the competition.

Frank added: “I made the decision. It was not a nice decision to have to make but unfortunately that is football.

“The way the rules are, the only option was Dom or Mathys and I chose Dom because – I think Mathys has done very well the last couple of games and if I could pick from all the players he would start tomorrow, but I can only choose between the two of them.

“It’s a tough one for Mathys, but he is not in the squad tomorrow.”

Tottenham Hotspur are facing the devastating exit of Micky van de Ven unless a huge statement is made by the club over the coming months, with sources revealing how Premier League rivals Liverpool are ready to make a stunning swoop.

The north London club are in turmoil at the moment, sitting 14th in the Premier League table having won just one of their last seven games, with boss Thomas Frank clinging on by a thread and facing the sack on a game-by-game basis.

Indeed, our sources have provided an update on the Dane’s future, while a separate report claims that Tottenham has asked a legendary figure to take charge in north London.

And, while much of the focus at Tottenham is currently on the dugout, there are also growing concerns that top stars will look to leave – if there are signs that the club is continuing on a downward trend.

One such player is centre-back Micky van de Ven, with a speculative report on Sunday claiming that Liverpool are preparing a €90million (£78m, $104.1m) bid for the Netherlands star this summer.

With that in mind, we asked trusted insider Dean Jones to dig into the Van de Ven to Liverpool reports and what Tottenham need to do to keep their star centre-back from potentially demanding an exit this summer.

The answer was very clear, as Jones told us: “Tottenham risk seeing their fears of losing Van de Ven intensify unless a new elite manager is in place by next summer.

“The Dutch defender has not yet agreed a new deal and is believed to have delayed the issue while Thomas Frank has been in charge.

“He has been one of the few players to show spells of consistency and decent form this season, but Tottenham face losing him if their season is not salvaged as he has been unconvinced by the project.

“He has also become aware of opportunities that may lie elsewhere. Liverpool’s interest is genuine, while Real Madrid are also keeping an eye on how things play out.

“Spurs did not anticipate having to bring in a new boss this season but have had to start drawing up options because of Frank’s shortcomings.

“Sources indicate that Spurs would push the ceiling in terms of the type of manager they would seek to succeed Frank, and identifying true candidates is part of the reason they have been delaying a decision on whether to sack him.”

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Tottenham a tougher sell to elite manager

While pushing the ceiling is exactly what Tottenham’s hierarchy have to be doing, the lure for a big name to come to the white half of north London is certainly not what it once was.

Yes, the stadium and training facilities are world-class but the current first-team squad is way off that level and needs significant investment over multiple windows.

Any elite-level manager taking the job would have to be fully on board with the challenges that he would face, while there also needs to be alignment across the club over the time needed to turn things around.

Indeed, whoever eventually gets the role, should Frank be shown the door, this summer will be a pivotal one to make sure quality signings are acquired but, more importantly, that the likes of Van de Ven are convinced to stay.

For the time being, though, the under-pressure Frank will be at the helm again for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund.

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Latest Tottenham news: Brahim Diaz swoop; striker hunt ramps up

Brahim Diaz is on his way back to Real Madrid after enduring a nightmare in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations for Morocco, as Tottenham reportedly plan to convince the winger to move to join them in the winter window.

Elsewhere, TEAMtalk understands that interest in Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen is growing by the day, with close to a dozen clubs now making contact over a potential January deal – a list that includes Tottenham.

Tottenham have approached a legendary figure within the game to become their next permanent manager after the ultra-reliable David Ornstein confirmed it’s a matter of when and not if Thomas Frank is sacked.

Frank’s tenure in north London can only be described as disastrous and mercifully, it’s about to end. That’s according to trusted reporter Ornstein who dropped the bombshell when reporting for NBC Sports.

Ornstein acknoweldged the fans have turned on Frank before revealing much of Tottenham’s hierarchy are through with the Dane too.

There’s also mass discontent among the players who are dissatisfied with Frank. Ornstein claimed there’s always a chance of a remarkable U-turn, but as it stands, Frank remaining in situ for the long haul is “improbable” and it’s now a matter of “when and not if” he’s fired.

Both Ornstein and our own insider, Fraser Fletcher, have been told Frank will still be in charge for Spurs’ Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.

All bets are off beyond tomorrow night’s encounter, however, and attention has already turned to who’ll take the reins.

The recently-appointed John Heitinga would be an obvious choice to take charge in an interim capacity. Beyond Heitinga, Spanish outlet Fichajes state Tottenham have aimed high by making a move for legendary midfielder and former Barcelona boss, Xavi.

They stated both Man Utd and Tottenham have launched enquiries into hiring Xavi, though Fabrizio Romano has declared United will place great emphasis on Premier League experience when hiring their next permanent manager, which Xavi obviously doesn’t possess.

That could be good news for Spurs, and Xavi – who has remained out of work since leaving Barcelona in 2024 – is actively seeking a route back into management.

Furthermore, it’s been widely reported in the past that the 45-year-old would love to manage in the Premier League and has been learning English.

After assessing Man Utd’s own attempts to hire Xavi, Fichajes added: ‘The other major contender is Tottenham, where Thomas Frank’s future hangs by a thread.

‘Poor results and inconsistent form have generated serious doubts within the London club’s hierarchy.

‘Tottenham believe it’s time to explore different profiles. The option of Xavi Hernández is gaining traction due to his ability to build medium-term projects and develop young talent, one of the club’s historical cornerstones.

‘Tottenham are looking for a manager who can bring back enthusiasm and competitiveness. In that regard, the name of Xavi Hernández is generating internal consensus as an ambitious choice, although not without risk due to his lack of previous Premier League experience.’

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Who else are Tottenham looking at?

The Independent recently revealed Tottenham have explored a move for Xabi Alonso who recently departed Real Madrid.

However, TEAMtalk reporter, Fraser Fletcher, has been informed Alonso has shown little enthusiasm for taking over in north London. The expectation is Alonso has his eyes on a bigger job – potentially Liverpool if Arne Slot is removed.

Elsewhere, we can confirm Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola and Mauricio Pochettino have come under consideration.

Despite his situation at Crystal Palace turning sour, Glasner is expected to see out the season at Selhurst Park.

Iraola won’t be leaving Bournemouth mid-season either, while Pochettino has a World Cup on home soil with the USA on the horizon.

As such, and in the event Ornstein is right and Frank is fired sooner rather than later, Spurs may find themselves copying Man Utd and appointing an interim manager to see out the season before hiring a permanent boss in the summer.

Of course, the alternative to that is appointing a manager who is available right now… such as Xavi.

Latest Tottenham news – Two deals with Liverpool…

In other news, Tottenham have shown shock interest in signing a Liverpool player who has been a regular starter for Arne Slot of late, and whose exit would leave a concerning void at Anfield.

Elsewhere, Liverpool are ready to go big for Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven and are planning a massive bid to bring him to Anfield, according to a report, as sources tell TEAMtalk whether Spurs could sell the Dutchman.