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Thomas Frank believed Pedro Porro was the only ‘elite’ player in his Tottenham Hotspur squad, according to The Times journalist Tom Allnutt.

The Danish tactician was relieved of his managerial duties in north London on Wednesday, following a winless run of eight Premier League games.

Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle United proved to be Frank’s final game in charge, with Spurs dropping to 16th in the Premier League table after yet another defeat.

Amid their woeful form this season, Frank reportedly believed the squad lacked quality in most departments and felt only Porro could play for a truly elite European team out of all Spurs players.

Thomas Frank Only Rated Pedro Porro

According to Allnutt, Frank had concerns over Tottenham’s recruitment ever since taking charge last summer, with deals for Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze collapsing.

“Frank believed only Pedro Porro could play for a really elite European team and there is no doubt recruitment in recent years has been poor.

“Deals for Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, game-changing creators, were fumbled while injuries wreaked havoc again, especially up front.”

Tottenham spent over £180m in Frank’s only summer transfer window at the club, welcoming the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, Joao Palhinha and Randal Kolo Muani.

Spurs splashed another £50m on the arrivals of Conor Gallagher and Souza in January, while Brennan Johnson was sold for £35m to Crystal Palace.

The Lilywhites have had numerous injury concerns all season, with the likes of Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison sidelined with long-term setbacks.

Spurs currently have as many as 11 first-team players unavailable, including Romero, who is serving a four-game suspension following his red card against Manchester United.

Tottenham Eyeing Roberto De Zerbi

Tottenham are on the lookout for a new manager following Frank’s sacking on Wednesday and have identified former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi as one of their targets.

De Zerbi is available after leaving Ligue 1 side Marseille last week, ending his near two-year stint with the French club.

The Italian tactician would reportedly be available to replace Frank immediately as he looks to return to the Premier League following an impressive spell with Brighton.

De Zerbi led the Seagulls to sixth in the Premier League in the 2022-23 season – the club’s highest top-flight finish to date.

Tottenham are in the hunt for a new manager, with Roberto De Zerbi one of their targets, and the former Marseille boss would be ready to replace Thomas Frank immediately, according to i News.

Frank was sacked on Wednesday morning following their defeat against Newcastle United at home in the Premier League. It's been a long time coming for the Danish manager, with Spurs currently sitting in 16th place in the table, just five points above the relegation zone.

GIVEMESPORT sources have confirmed that Tottenham were actually prepared to make a change in the dugout since the start of the year, but they wanted to give him as much time as possible to turn things around. Unfortunately, that didn't work out, and Spurs are now in the market for a new manager. It's also understood that the aforementioned De Zerbi is on Tottenham's list as a possible Frank replacement.

De Zerbi Ready for Tottenham Challenge

According to a report from i News, former Marseille manager De Zerbi is interested in taking over at Tottenham, and he sees it as the next logical step in his career. It's claimed that De Zerbi is ready to get straight back into a new role after leaving Marseille earlier this month, meaning he could join Spurs immediately if they decide to make an approach.

I News confirm that Premier League rivals Manchester United also have De Zerbi, who has been described as a 'genius' manager, on their list, but Spurs could hold an advantage due to being able to move quickly.

Mauricio Pochettino Problem

Mauricio Pochettino is also on Tottenham's list, but a move won't be possible until the summer. Spurs' former manager is currently in charge of the USA national team, and with the World Cup fast approaching, Pochettino won't be available until after the tournament.

That represents a bit of a problem for Spurs. The north London club could appoint an interim until the summer and then bring in Pochettino, but with the threat of relegation growing, they need to ensure that even the interim is a top-level manager.

It's a worrying time for Spurs fans at the moment, and they'll be hoping the next appointment can bring an immediate new-manager bounce.

Tottenham have held talks internally around the possible appointment of Porto manager Francesco Farioli, according to GIVEMESPORT correspondent Ben Jacobs.

Spurs are in the market for a new manager after they confirmed on Wednesday morning that Frank had been relieved of his duties following their disappointing defeat at home to Newcastle United. GIVEMESPORT sources have confirmed that Roberto De Zerbi, who recently left Marseille, and Mauricio Pochettino are two of the possible candidates for the role.

Tottenham currently find themselves sitting in 16th place in the Premier League table, so it's going to be a tricky task for the next manager, whoever that may be. Spurs could look to hire an interim until the end of the season, which would likely open up a wider pool of managers to choose from in the summer.

Tottenham Discuss Manager Internally

According to GIVEMESPORT reporter Jacobs, Farioli is one of the names on Tottenham's shortlist to replace Frank, with Spurs holding talks internally over appointing the Porto boss. Jacobs later added that Farioli is aware of the interest from the north London club, but he's unlikely to leave in the middle of the season.

Farioli, described as 'one of the best young coaches in Europe', is enjoying a phenomenal season, with his Porto side going unbeaten in the league until recently. Porto currently sit top of the table by four points, having lost just one game in the league during the 2025/2026 campaign.

A mid-season move has been ruled out, but it will be interesting to see whether Farioli would be keen at the end of the season.

Interim Until the Summer: The Right Move for Tottenham

Finding a manager willing to leave their current club in the middle of the season is always tricky, especially someone like Farioli, who is doing a phenomenal job with Porto this campaign. It's likely to be the case for a host of managers that Tottenham would like to appoint, so bringing in an interim until the end of the season would be a smart move.

They also have to ensure the interim appointment is the right one, as Spurs are dangerously close to the relegation zone. Sometimes a new manager with fresh ideas is enough to generate some positive results.

Tottenham Hotspur's next manager search is underway and former boss Mauricio Pochettino would be willing to 'walk back to the club' to take over following the USA's 2026 World Cup campaign, according to the Telegraph.

Spurs decided to sack Thomas Frank on Wednesday morning following their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday night.

The loss left the north London club in 16th position in the Premier League table - only one place above where they finished last season under Ange Postecoglou - just five points above the relegation zone.

A run of two wins in 17 top flight matches left Frank's position as untenable, with Spurs now facing a dilemma over his replacement.

Tottenham Fans Want Pochettino Back

Spurs fans inside the stadium on Tuesday night loudly made their feelings clear as they chanted for Pochettino as they witnessed their team extend their run of not winning a Premier League match since December.

According to the Telegraph, the Tottenham hierarchy are fully aware of the feelings supporters have towards the Argentine, but they also know it would be impossible to appoint him until after America's World Cup campaign is complete.

The north Londoners must decide now whether they appoint an interim and wait for Pochettino or another manager in the summer, or look to appoint a coach who might be available now.

The report adds that the 'world-class' Pochettino has made it clear he would 'jump at the chance' to rejoin Tottenham and would 'walk back to the club' once the World Cup is over.

Tottenham Hold Talks Over Hiring De Zerbi

According to GIVEMESPORT sources, Tottenham have already held internal talks over making a move for the newly-available Roberto De Zerbi.

The Italian has left Marseille in the last 24 hours following their 5-0 weekend defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, but he is still highly-regarded across Europe with Pep Guardiola and Arne Slot heavily praising him for his style of play in recent seasons.

De Zerbi is a free agent and available now, and if Spurs want to explore that market in the coming days then another option could be Enzo Maresca, following his departure from London rivals Chelsea last month.

De Zerbi is definitely an option on Tottenham's shortlist alongside Pochettino, with Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola also appreciated according to GMS sources, although he is another manager who is unlikely to leave his post mid-season should he decide he wants a change of club.

Tottenham Hotspur have sacked manager Thomas Frank after just seven months in charge following another dreadful season, the club has confirmed.

Spurs were beaten 2-1 at home by Newcastle United on Tuesday night as the north London club remain without a Premier League win since their victory against Sunderland on December 28.

Their poor run of form has seen them drop to 16th position in the Premier League table, just five points above West Ham United in the final relegation spot.

Tottenham are in a relegation battle right now, and Frank hasn't been given the opportunity to lead them in their next match against leaders and arch-rivals Arsenal in just under a fortnight's time.

Having won just two of their previous 17 Premier League matches, Tottenham's board have decided enough is enough and dismissed Frank.

A statement from the club read:

'The Club has taken the decision to make a change in the Men’s Head Coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today.

'Thomas was appointed in June 2025, and we have been determined to give him the time and support needed to build for the future together.

'However, results and performances have led the Board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary.

'Throughout his time at the Club, Thomas has conducted himself with unwavering commitment, giving everything in his efforts to move the Club forward. We would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him every success in the future.'

The Dane was brought in with the expectation of improving Spurs' fortunes following a 17th-placed finish in the league under Ange Postecoglou last term, but it hasn't worked out.

While Tottenham remain in the Champions League, the 52-year-old won't have the opportunity to oversee their next round match.

According to David Ornstein, Spurs are yet to make a decision on Frank's replacement and they are working through various contingency plans to try and get their season back on track.

Tottenham Have Two Options to Replace Frank Now

It was reported last month, just after his arrival at the club, that new first-team assistant John Heitinga was seen as a contender to take charge of Tottenham for the rest of the season should the axe fall on Frank.

That will be an option for ENIC now if they want to wait until the summer when the manager market is likely to be more fruitful. The futures of many World Cup coaches, including Spurs legend Mauricio Pochettino and England's Thomas Tuchel, are uncertain following the conclusion of the tournament.

Tottenham also have the opportunity to turn to former Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi, who left Marseille by mutual consent on Tuesday night following Sunday's 5-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.

Tottenham Hotspur may have just been given the green light to move for a top manager target after an update from GIVEMESPORT senior reporter Fabrizio Romano on Tuesday night.

Just hours after Spurs' defeat to Newcastle left them in 16th position and five points above the relegation zone, Romano confirmed the news on X that Marseille had parted ways with manager Roberto De Zerbi.

The Italian's future had been in doubt ever since the 5-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, with reports late on Tuesday suggesting the 46-year-old was leaving having been left unconvinced following talks with his players.

The former Brighton boss decided it was the right to leave, with Marseille bosses agreeing with him.

De Zerbi is a Top Tottenham Target

According to reports last month, Tottenham have made De Zerbi one of their top manager targets should they decide to sack Frank at the end of the season, with the board keen to keep the faith in him until then. Of course, results will change this stance and they aren't going in his favour right now.

Spurs - and other interested clubs - may have felt that any potential move for the Italian would have had to wait until the summer, but they have the opportunity to move for him now as the pressure grows on Frank.

The Dane was booed off by Spurs supporters following another home defeat against Eddie Howe's side, which means they are still yet to record a Premier League win in 2026.

Next up they face arch-rivals Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the Gunners top of the table and aiming to win their first Premier League title since 2004.

De Zerbi Would be World-Class Tottenham Appointment

Despite his exit from Marseille, De Zerbi is likely to be a wanted man in the next weeks and months as he considers where to go next.

The respect the Italian has from his peers shows just how highly rated he is in the European management game, with Pep Guardiola previously calling him the 'one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years' with a unique playing style when he was in charge of Brighton.

In recent weeks, he has been labelled as 'one of the best managers in the world' by Liverpool's Arne Slot, who revealed the 46-year-old would be high on his list to appoint as a manager if he was responsible for doing so at a football club.

Tottenham need a reset and a manager to bring fresh ideas and excitement for the supporters, and De Zerbi could be just the man with the north Londoners having also tried to appoint him before they got Thomas Frank, according to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs.

Tottenham Hotspur moved to within five points of the Premier League relegation zone following Tuesday night's 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle United, and time is surely up for Thomas Frank.

The loss was Spurs' 11th in 26 league matches this term, and leaves them within striking distance of 18th-placed West Ham United with Leeds United also leapfrogging them in the table following their 2-2 draw at Chelsea.

The North Londoners still haven't won a Premier League match in 2026, with their last win coming against Sunderland on December 28, with Frank and his players booed off against Eddie Howe's men.

As things stand, Tottenham are only going one way without a change and that is being involved in a full relegation battle.

Time is Up for Thomas Frank

While recent results against Manchester City in the Premier League and Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League have been impressive, so many of Tottenham's other performances - especially in 2026 - have been way off the required level.

Spurs only took one point from matches against two of the teams in the relegation zone - West Ham and Burnley - while they also had a big opportunity against a Newcastle side who have been struggling themselves of late.

Once again, Tottenham look short of confidence and attacking ideas on the pitch across the 90 minutes, and it's difficult to see that changing in the immediate future under the leadership of Frank.

While Spurs' owners would ideally like to give the Dane until the summer at least, it is getting harder to justify keeping him when the club is so close to seriously being involved in a relegation battle.

It gets no easier either for Tottenham and Frank, with a north London derby against leaders Arsenal to come in less than a fortnight.

Tottenham Have Immediate Replacement Lined Up

According to reports last month, Tottenham chiefs see first-team assistant coach John Heitinga as a candidate to immediately replace Frank should the axe fall on the Dane.

Frank had a big say in the appointment of the Dutchman last month, calling his profile 'perfect' for his coaching team.

While Tottenham's board will know now is not the easiest time to secure their preferred manager candidate, with likely targets such as Mauricio Pochettino not available until after the World Cup this summer, having Heitinga to steady the ship until that point seems like the ideal scenario.

Frank seems to think he will be staying at Tottenham immediately after the Newcastle defeat, but the next hours and days will determine whether that is the case.

Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in the very unusual position where they have a realistic chance of being relegated to the EFL Championship, while also being in contention to win the Champions League.

Should the north Londoners do the impossible and be dragged into the second tier of English football and lift the biggest European trophy this term, it would be the first time it's ever happened. Admittedly, it's extremely unlikely, but still a possibility.

Thomas Frank was relieved of his duties following a 2-1 home defeat against Newcastle United, with Spurs sitting just five points above the danger zone. Meanwhile, they put their poor league form behind them to reach the last 16 of the Champions League. Bizarre.

Spurs Face Chaos by Winning UCL and Suffering Relegation

Spurs are massive outsiders to lift European silverware at the end of the campaign. Last season's Europa League winners have been given a 2.29% chance of going one step further than they did in 2019.

It's concerning for the club that it's probably more likely that they drop into the Championship for the first time ever. Tottenham haven't been relegated from the top-flight since 1977.

However, in the extremely unlikely event that both of these scenarios play out in the same campaign, the already jam-packed calendar will get even busier. Spurs would face 46 Championship matches, Carabao Cup and FA Cup fixtures, as well as the league phase of the Champions League, all in the same term.

UEFA rules state that the winner of Europe's elite competition will automatically qualify for the next year. That would make the scheduling of Spurs' fixtures a nightmare for organisers.

This has never happened in English football, although both Wigan Athletic and Birmingham City have dropped into the second-tier competition while qualifying for European competition through FA Cup and EFL Cup wins. That's the closest we've been to this never-before-seen scenario.

Tottenham's Route to Champions League Glory

In the round of 16, the Premier League giants will face Juventus, Galatasaray, Club Brugge or Atletico Madrid but will have to wait until the play-off round has concluded. The most likely quarter-final opponents they'd come up against are PSG, Chelsea or Barcelona.

Cristian Romero has been making headlines on and off the pitch at Tottenham in the last few weeks. And it feels like his future at the club could come to a head this summer.

The Argentine World Cup winner signed a new contract with the club last summer, tying him down in north London until the summer of 2029. That means Spurs hold all the cards when it comes to negotiations with any clubs over his future.

Both Madrid clubs - Real and Atletico - have been linked with signing the 27-year-old in the past, with Romero himself not shy in stating that he would love to play in Spain in the future.

Cristian Romero Constantly Speaks Out Against The Club

Speaking last year, the Spurs captain said: "La Liga is the one [league] left to play in. I would love to, to tell you the truth. I would love to play there because it's the league I'm missing."

Romero has endeared himself to the supporters in recent weeks by speaking out publicly against the club and its hierarchy. He deleted a post which suggested the board "tell a few lies" after the defeat to Bournemouth and then criticised the lack of squad depth in N17 following the 2-2 draw with Manchester City, saying that Thomas Frank only having 11 players available was "disgraceful".

He is a hot-headed character on and off the pitch and in that "disgraceful" post he said that the players would "keep showing up and taking responsibility". However, he failed to do just that in the very next game, sent off for a reckless challenge on Casemiro in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United.

He will now miss four games through suspension, leaving his teammates to take responsibility on the pitch without their captain in a crucial period of the season.

Mauricio Pochettino Opens Up On Special Spurs

Despite his outbursts and his disciplinary record, Romero is well-loved by the fanbase. But keeping him at the club beyond the summer could prove difficult for Frank, or whoever else it is in charge come the summer, with the Dane under huge pressure.

One man that could get Romero back on board and channel his aggression in the right manner is Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentine has regularly been linked with a return to Tottenham and has reportedly already said yes to coming back to Tottenham. He spoke glowingly and openly about the club in an appearance on the High Performance Podcast at the weekend.

Pochettino said: "Still today, I think it's unbelievable, fans on the street really show their love and appreciation and I think that's why Spurs is so special [to me].

"It's a little unfair to compare this period to now. Now it's a club that needs to think about winning the Champions League and the Premier League. It's about winning the Champions League and the Premier League.

"To win a Europa League is good, but it's not enough. It's not enough for a club like Tottenham. It's a club that should be, needs to be in the Champions League, fighting and believing you can win the Champions League and believing that you can win the Premier League."

Mauricio Pochettino Could Be Great For Tottenham

Pochettino was himself a fiery Argentina defender and could not only convince his countryman to stay in north London, but also help to channel his aggression in the right way and keep him on the pitch for longer.

If Pochettino were to be the new head coach, he would not arrive until after the World Cup with the USA and would therefore need as much stability as possible. If Romero stays, Pochettino could be the perfect figure to get the best out of him and Tottenham as a whole.

Tottenham will host Newcastle United on Tuesday evening in the Premier League at St James' Park, with both managers under pressure to turn things around.

Spurs recently suffered a 2-0 defeat away at Manchester United, with Cristian Romero's first-half red card giving them a mountain to climb. Frank's side have struggled under the former Brentford manager, and they currently sit in 15th position in the Premier League table, with the pressure surely ramping up.

Howe doesn't appear to be under as much pressure as Frank, but there's no doubt he will be desperate to steer them back in the right direction. The Magpies also find themselves in the bottom half of the Premier League, and their recent defeat at home to Brentford was noticeably disappointing for supporters, with boos heard ringing around St James' Park.

Tottenham Team News

Tottenham are set to be without a host of players for this game, but that's nothing new for Frank at the moment.

Randal Kolo Muani, Yves Bissouma, and Radu Dragusin were the only substitutes over the age of 22 against United at the weekend, with Frank being forced to call upon plenty of academy players at the moment.

Richarlison, Djed Spence, and Pedro Porro are the most likely to return this month, while Romero will now be suspended for four matches after his red card at the weekend.

Speaking to the media, Frank provided a crucial blow on Destiny Udogie, suggesting that he is set to be out for at least a month.

"Unfortunately Destiny has a hamstring injury, he will be out for 4-5 weeks. Djed Spence is back. Kevin Danso will be weeks.

Kevin [Danso] is with a medical consultant. It is going forward but still weeks before he is available. Deki has got another appointment at end of this week where we’ll know more, but of course out of Champions League, is a sign it’s not tomorrow.

(Will he play again this season?) I don’t know."

Tottenham Predicted XI

Tottenham Predicted XI: Vicario; Gray, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Souza; Sarr, Palhinha, Gallagher; Odobert, Solanke, Simons.

Tottenham Predicted Substitutes: Kinsky (GK), Byfield (DEF), Spence (DEF), Bissouma (MID), Olusesi (MID), Williams-Barnett (MID), Kolo Muani (FWD), Tel (FWD).

After Romero's antics at the weekend, Frank now has a decision to make in the heart of his defence. Dragusin will likely have to come in, and that could be the only change, considering Frank's lack of options in the squad at the moment.

Souza could be in line for his full Premier League debut, due to the injury for Udogie.

Newcastle Team News

Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley both missed Newcastle's game against Brentford at the weekend in the Premier League, so they'll be in a race against time to be fit enough for this one.

The Magpies do have other injury concerns, with Joelinton, Valentino Livramento, and Fabian Schar among those also unavailable for this game. Howe will certainly have a decision to make when it comes to play in the centre-forward position, with both Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa coming under criticism in recent weeks.

Speaking to the media ahead of Newcastle's game against Spurs, Howe has confirmed that both Miley and Gordon will be checked on in the build-up to the match. The Newcastle boss also adds that the game comes too soon for Brazilian midfielder Joelinton.

"Miley, I need to see today - we'll get another update on his progress. He got a nasty bang to his leg so it's like a sort of dead leg that's dragged on a little bit longer than we thought, so we'll see how he is.

"Gordon, we'll make a check on today and see how he's progressing. Hopefully a big improvement in him. Joelinton won't make this game."

Newcastle Predicted XI

Newcastle Predicted XI: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Ramsey; Barnes, Woltemade, Elanga.

Newcastle Predicted Substitutes: Ramsdale (GK), Murphy (DEF), Shahar (DEF), Burn (DEF), Willock (MID), Murphy (FWD), Wissa (FWD), Gordon (FWD), Osula (FWD).

With such a quick turnaround and Howe already having to contend with some important injuries, we could see the Newcastle boss make some changes for this one. Wissa and Jacob Murphy both flattered to deceive against Brentford last time out, so Woltemade and Elanga could come into the side.

Joe Willock was also substituted at half-time at the weekend, so we might see Ramsey earn himself a place in the starting XI.