Football FanCast

Tottenham are reportedly preparing a tempting money offer for an ex-Barcelona manager as they begin their Thomas Frank replacement search.

Spurs sack Thomas Frank after worst Premier League record in club history

Frank's turbulent eight-month spell at Tottenham reached its inevitable conclusion this morning as the club's hierarchy wielded the axe following another dismal home performance.

The Dane has left Spurs teetering dangerously close to the Premier League relegation zone after a woeful start to 2026, with the Lewis family given little choice but to call time on his tenure.

The 52-year-old becomes Tottenham's sixth permanent managerial change in the seven years since Mauricio Pochettino's 2019 departure, dismissed after just two wins from their last 17 games.

Spurs sit 16th with a mere five-point cushion separating them from the Championship trapdoor, with Frank's position becoming untenable following Tuesday evening's 2-1 Newcastle capitulation, which sparked furious protests from supporters who booed the manager off.

Chants demanding his immediate removal echoed around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as patience finally evaporated amongst the fanbase.

The former Brentford boss arrived last June with a growing reputation following seven successful years with the Bees, replacing popular predecessor Ange Postecoglou despite the Australian's Europa League triumph.

Frank signed a three-year contract but failed to survive even a single campaign as results nosedived spectacularly, not helped by a mile-long injury list now including Wilson Odobert.

Tactical sterility proved Frank's ultimate undoing.

Supporters accustomed to Postecoglou's attacking philosophy grew increasingly frustrated with predictable, uninspiring football that prioritized caution over entertainment.

Their lack of identity was evident and very uneasy on the eye, with supporters now hoping that the under-fire Tottenham board can actually make the right choice for whoever comes in to succeed Frank.

The standout name so far has been Pochettino, who guided Spurs to a shock Champions League final in 2019 and successive top four finishes on a shoe-string budget.

With the right backing, who knows what the Argentine could accomplish, and reports suggest Pochettino would be very keen on re-joining Spurs after leading the USA through the World Cup on home soil.

However, Pochettino is by no means their only candidate.

Tottenham preparing 'compelling financial offer' for Xavi

According to journalist Hector Andreu in Spain, Tottenham are preparing a 'compelling financial offer' for ex-Barca boss Xavi, whose been a free agent since leaving the Camp Nou in 2024.

Spurs reportedly held talks with Xavi back when they were on the hunt for Postecoglou's heir, and it appears that fondness has remained as they draw up a compelling managerial shortlist.

The 46-year-old Camp Nou legend has won two league titles, including La Liga with Barça and a Qatar Stars League title with Al-Sadd, alongside six more domestic trophies across his spells in Catelonia and the Middle East.

However, while Spurs are ready to make Xavi an enticing proposal, and see him as a manager they can 'build their future around', the tactician has given very little clues about his preferred next move.

Xavi has been patient deciding his next club, and will likely be very cautious about an approach from north London given their recent slide and the potential task on his hands.

In terms of his suitability, Xavi is a name that excites some Spurs supporters given his playing style and big name, but it is not a given he'd be interested in a move to N17 right now.

Nevertheless, that hasn't repelled Lange and co, who are believed to be exploring Xavi as a serious option.

An "unbelievable" manager is now willing to replace Thomas Frank in the Tottenham Hotspur dugout, following the Dane's departure on Wednesday morning.

Frank dismissed after defeat against Newcastle

Frank was ultimately unable to make the step-up from Brentford, winning just 13 of the 38 matches he took charge of, and Tottenham confirmed his departure on Wednesday morning, with a 2-1 defeat at home against Newcastle United proving to be the final straw.

It is vital ENIC get the next appointment right, with Spurs currently 16th in the Premier League table, but journalist Ryan Taylor has some doubts over whether top managers would be willing to take the job.

As such, it could make sense to take the same course of action as Manchester United by bringing in an interim boss until the end of the season, and one manager has already entered the frame.

However, the Lilywhites may want to bring in a more experienced manager on a long-term basis, and there has now been a new update on Roberto De Zerbi's chances of taking over at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, De Zerbi is now open to replacing Frank in the dugout, having previously been unwilling to do so, given that he didn't want to work with Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici.

However, following the shake-up at boardroom level, the former Brighton boss would be prepared to make the move to north London, and he is available, having recently left Ligue 1 side Marseille by mutual agreement.

"Unbelievable" De Zerbi could be ideal Frank replacement

It is a little surprising the 46-year-old has moved on from Marseille, given that the French side are in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League once again, currently sitting in fourth place.

The Italian also has experience in the Premier League, being lauded as "unbelievable" by pundit Danny Murphy after winning 3-1 against Manchester United with Brighton back in 2023.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot is under no illusions as to just how talented the former Brighton manager is either, singling him out for extremely high praise last month.

De Zerbi, who prefers to use a 4-2-3-1 formation, could be a fantastic replacement for Frank, and the timing is perfect, as he is now available without Tottenham having to pay any compensation.

Tottenham sacked Thomas Frank this morning after less than eight months in charge, but that isn't the only significant story coming out of N17 today.

Thomas Frank dismissed after dismal Tottenham tenure

Spurs finally parted company with the unpopular Dane after a catastrophic tenure that has left the north London club on the verge of battling relegation, with the decision announced this morning following Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Newcastle.

His dismissal became inevitable after Spurs supporters organised protests during the Newcastle loss, chanting "sacked in the morning" and repeatedly demanding Frank's removal for weeks.

The 52-year-old departs having compiled a dismal record of just 13 wins from 38 matches across all competitions since replacing Ange Postecoglou in June.

Frank's Premier League statistics are particularly damning to say the least.

His 26.9 percent win ratio represents the worst return of any Tottenham manager in the competition's history, with Spurs claiming just seven wins from 26 league matches under his stewardship.

The club currently languish in 16th, positioned precariously just five points above the drop zone, so their great Champions League form was nowhere enough to mask their poor domestic performances.

The north Londoners are also winless in eight consecutive league matches this calendar year, their longest top-flight drought in over 17 years.

The side have managed only two victories from their last 17 Premier League encounters, which is completely unacceptable for a club who won the Europa League last year and one of the so called 'big six'.

Spurs often teetered through matches under Frank, looking disjointed without any clear identity or plan, so it was only a matter of time before the ex-Brentford boss was handed his P45.

Since his exit, the Lilywhites have been linked with a host of managers as the Lewis family, Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange begin plans to replace Frank.

It was Venkatesham and Lange who urged the Lewis family to sack Frank, with the Tottenham owners duly obliging.

The tactician wasn't exactly helped by the plethora of injuries that ravaged his squad, with more bad news now coming to light on that front.

Wilson Odobert facing 'several months' out after Tottenham injury blow

Indeed, according to Le Parisien and journalist Benjamin Quarez, Wilson Odobert now faces 'several months' on the sidelines after rupturing the ACL in his left knee during Tuesday's 2-1 defeat.

The 21-year-old collapsed in agony after just 35 minutes following an awkward collision with Harvey Barnes, jarring his left knee into the turf whilst challenging for possession.

Mathys Tel replaced his compatriot immediately as Odobert trudged down the tunnel for further assessment.

Wednesday morning scans revealed the devastating extent of damage, with Le Parisien reporting the former PSG academy graduate requires surgery for the 'severe' injury that will likely end his campaign.

Recovery timelines for ACL ruptures typically extend beyond nine months, effectively eliminating any prospects of featuring in Didier Deschamps' France squad for this summer's World Cup.

The catastrophic setback compounds Tottenham's already nightmarish injury crisis, with eleven first-team players, including the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski all sidelined.

Odobert's absence represents another headache for whoever replaces Thomas Frank following the Dane's sacking, leaving the new manager desperately short of attacking options ahead of February 22's crucial north London derby against Arsenal.

Thomas Frank has been sacked, and it will come as a surprise to very few of the Tottenham Hotspur faithful, who have been not so much disillusioned as dismayed at their team's struggles throughout the campaign.

A strong Champions League group stage has been little more than a veneer over dreadful Premier League form. Spurs have won two of their past 17 matches in the top flight and were beaten at home against Newcastle United on Tuesday evening. They are also out of both domestic cups.

The greatest surprise is that Frank lasted as long as he did. The Danish coach's positive moments at the helm were few and far between, far removed from a long tenure with Brentford that was universally applauded.

Now, he's gone, and Tottenham need to appoint a successor quickly, with the North London Derby - at home - 11 days away.

The latest on Spurs' managerial hunt

John Heitinga is the obvious choice to step in and lead Tottenham for the remainder of the campaign. Frank's assistant manager, appointed in January, was Arne Slot's deputy as Liverpool won the Premier League last season, and he managed Ajax briefly at the start of the current campaign.

The chants for Mauricio Pochettino chimed across the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Newcastle secured all three points. The Argentine manager is leading USMNT out for the World Cup in North America this year, but perhaps ENIC Group spy an opportunity to place Heitinga in charge before moving for the club's one-time manager at the end of the term.

However, there is another option, one which could be enacted immediately.

As per talkSPORT, Roberto De Zerbi is in contention for the vacancy down N17, having been dismissed from his post in Ligue 1 with Marseille this week. It's stated that the Lilywhites have a long-standing admiration for the manager.

This has since been corroborated by TEAMtalk, who stress that past Lilywhite interest in the Italian tactician came to nought due to his reservations about working with Daniel Levy and Fabio Paratici, neither of whom is still at the club.

Why De Zerbi could be the perfect appointment

De Zerbi would bring fresh ideas and an electric style of football to Tottenham. There's no doubt that Pochettino understands the Londoners and what makes them tick better than most, but Spurs run the risk of regression by turning to a former face.

And it isn't as if De Zerbi is without Premier League experience.

Pochettino won't be available until the start of next season, and while that may suit Spurs, De Zerbi is there for the taking, and he's been hailed as a "genius" by Statman Dave in the past for his controlled and aggressive brand of football.

Unity and coherence have not been staples of the Frank era at Tottenham. In fact, the football has been so stale at times that player movement and understanding appeared to have crusted over.

And let's not forget that the wheels came flying off for Poch after that agonising defeat in the 2019 Champions League final against Liverpool.

It was November 19th, 2019, and Tottenham were 14th in the Premier League. Domestic results at the end of the previous season also factored in.

Football, Pochettino, Tottenham. All are in a different place now, but whether moving back for the South American coach would be a good idea is open to debate, especially with an innovative coach in the 46-year-old De Zerbi on the market.

It's worth noting Tottenham's second-place position in that chart, when Angeball was at its peak, even against a second-half-of-season collapse that came as a by-product of excessive injuries.

De Zerbi's Brighton were a force to be reckoned with, so difficult to prepare against. There is a reason that English winger Jonathan Rowe hailed him as "one of the best coaches in the world."

While there is a romanticism about moving for Pochettino, that ship may have sailed, and perhaps it would be best to mark a new chapter in north London rather than turning back the page.

An "outstanding" manager is now in the frame to replace Thomas Frank, who was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur following the defeat against Newcastle United.

Frank sacked after Newcastle defeat

With Tottenham 16th in the Premier League, having taken just 29 points from 26 matches, Frank has now been relieved of his duties, with a club statement reading: "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."

It is no wonder ENIC were forced into action, with Spurs' Premier League status potentially in doubt, considering they are just five points above the relegation zone.

With the Lilywhites performing so poorly, the job could be a tough sell to some of Europe's top managers, and a report from TEAMtalk has revealed they are expected to appoint an interim manager until the end of the season, should they decide to pull the trigger on Frank.

Johnny Heitinga is one of the options, with the Dutchman already at N17, but there is an alternative target in the frame, namely Ryan Mason, who is available after being sacked by West Bromwich Albion at the beginning of January.

Long-term, Mauricio Pochettino is among the targets, with a section of Tottenham fans making it clear they'd like to see the return of the Argentinian, but Mason could be a safe pair of hands between now and the end of the season...

Mason could be solid option despite recent sacking

Michael Carrick has made a very promising start at Manchester United, collecting 13 points from his opening five games, despite being sacked by Championship side Middlesbrough, so the former Tottenham midfielder's first job in management not going as planned shouldn't be a major concern.

Moreover, the 34-year-old knows the club, having spent time at N17 as a coach, while he has also already been interim manager, winning four of the seven matches he took charge of during the 2020-21 campaign.

Ange Postecoglou is an admirer of the Englishman too, saying of his former coach: "Ryan Mason is in charge of set pieces, he’s done an outstanding job all year and Mile [Jedinak], I thought in defensive set-pieces we were brilliant again because they have a threat there.

"We’ve been good in that space all year and it’s a credit to both those coaches."

As such, Mason, who prefers to implement a 4-2-3-1 formation, could be a short-term solution, but it is vital Tottenham bring in a top manager during the summer, having massively underperformed in the Premier League over the last two seasons.

Tottenham are poised to lose one of their senior players this summer, with a verbal agreement already in place for him to leave, according to a new report.

Spurs captain Cristian Romero's future in north London already hangs by a thread as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid reportedly circle the frustrated defender who appears keen to engineer a summer escape.

The 27-year-old looks increasingly disillusioned with Spurs' lack of ambition and recruitment strategy, publicly criticising the club's failure to bring adequate reinforcements during January's transfer window.

Romero signed a contract extension until 2029 last summer, yet that long-term commitment now feels increasingly fragile given his evident frustration.

Barcelona view him as a serious defensive target capable of providing leadership and intensity to their rebuilding project, whilst Diego Simeone at Atlético has emerged as perhaps his biggest admirer (Estadio Deportivo).

Real Madrid also harbour strong interest as they plan for life after Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba, who are both out of contract this summer.

Los Blancos reportedly see Romero's battle-hardened experience and peak physical condition as perfect to anchor their next-generation defensive line.

Romero, right after his public comments slamming the club's transfer policy, got himself a four-match ban after his sending off against Man United last weekend, causing him to miss their game against Newcastle on Tuesday night.

Argentine journalist Gaston Edul confirmed Romero has attracted interest from multiple leagues and appears certain to leave this summer regardless of Thomas Frank's wishes.

The defender is apparently prioritising Champions League football and realistic title challenges, ambitions that look increasingly out of reach at Tottenham.

Now, alongside Romero, it appears another South American star could have one foot out the N17 exit door.

Richarlison makes transfer wish clear after verbal agreement with Tottenham

Indeed, ESPN Brazil reports Richarlison remains another major summer departure candidate as Flamengo plot a sensational Brazilian homecoming.

The 27-year-old striker already has a verbal agreement with Tottenham's hierarchy to leave this summer, with the club establishing a £22 million asking price.

That valuation appeals enormously to Flamengo, who've earmarked £26 million specifically for elite attacking reinforcements following their failed Kaio Jorge pursuit.

Richarlison's preference is to continue abroad though, specifically Turkey or Saudi Arabia, but Flamengo represents a viable fallback option.

Coach Filipe Luís openly admires the forward's playing style and would welcome him enthusiastically to Rio de Janeiro.

However, Richarlison is currently recovering from a thigh injury, and he'll need three more weeks of rehab, delaying any concrete transfer discussions until March at earliest.

The Saudi Pro League's current financial restructuring makes Turkish football the most probable destination should he reject Flamengo's advances, but it looks as if Richarlison could follow Romero out of London.

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank is poised to be without a star duo for even longer than initially feared after a torrid injury update, according to a fresh report.

To make his current injury crisis worse, Frank confirmed left-back Destiny Udogie faces four to five weeks sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained during Saturday's humbling Old Trafford defeat.

The Italy international limped off just 55 minutes into the 2-0 capitulation against United, heading straight down the tunnel after receiving treatment on the pitch.

Scans conducted over the weekend revealed a hamstring strain that will rule him out until mid-March, devastating news for a Spurs side already ravaged by absences.

Frank delivered the crushing blow during Monday's pre-match press conference ahead of tonight's Newcastle clash, confirming Udogie joins a staggering casualty list that now features 10 first-team players unavailable.

The 23-year-old will miss crucial Premier League fixtures against Newcastle, Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace whilst becoming a major doubt for their Champions League Round of 16 first leg.

The timing couldn't be worse for Udogie, who only recently returned from a previous hamstring setback suffered in early December.

His stop-start campaign has seen him make just eight Premier League starts and 13 appearances across all competitions, with the club desperately attempting to manage his workload and improve his durability.

His absence leaves Spurs critically short at left-back, with January signing Souza thrust into prominence despite Frank admitting the teenager isn't ready for consistent first-team football.

The Brazilian made his debut off the bench at United, and importantly impressed during difficult circumstances playing a man down.

Frank remains without suspended captain Cristian Romero for four matches following his reckless red card, whilst defensive colleagues Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso and Ben Davies all continue their rehab.

Long-term absentees James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall and Richarlison also remain out, and an update has now come to light on a couple of the aforementioned names.

Frank has already admitted he doesn't know whether Deki in particular will play again this season, but a report from Tipsbladet in Sweden has offered more information in a 'gloomy' update.

According to the outlet and journalist Daniel Kristoffersen, Swedish duo Kulusevski and Bergvall both facing significantly longer spells sidelined than originally anticipated.

Bergvall underwent surgery on a high ankle sprain sustained during January's Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund, with initial fears he'd miss several weeks now confirmed as a devastating two-to-three month absence.

The 20-year-old won't return until around early April, ruling him out of Sweden's crucial World Cup playoff semifinal against Ukraine scheduled for March 26th.

Meanwhile, Kulusevski's complicated knee setback has taken a worrying turn too, with Kulusevski also out for longer than first feared and poised to miss Sweden's play-off as well.

Kristoffersen actually does suggest he could make the bench if Sweden advance to the Play-Off final on March 31, but this is seen as optimistic at best, so it could be a long while yet before Kulusevski or Bergvall don the Lilywhites jersey again.

For Frank, it is another crushing blow as he already wrestles with a severe lack of options ahead of imperative games.

If you thought things couldn't get any worse than the Ange Postecoglou reign at Tottenham Hotspur, then think again. Under Thomas Frank, the events playing out at Spurs have arguably been even worse.

Under Ange, the football was chaotic, but at least it was exciting. You can't say you were not getting value for money. That Europa League triumph was truly unforgettable.

Yet, for Frank, it's been a horrendous first half-year in north London. Spurs may well have finished in the top eight in the Champions League, but they cannot buy a win at home, and the Dane's points per game record of 1.15 is now the worst of any manager to have led one of your typical 'big six' teams. Yes, it's even worse than Postecoglou's.

So, what's the solution? Spurs have been through more managers than pairs of socks, so perhaps it's time the players had a look at themselves.

The biggest issues facing Thomas Frank at Spurs

As Cristian Romero rather controversially put it last week, it's something of a disgrace that they ended up having just 11 senior players fit.

The squad has been decimated by injury and Frank can rightfully use that as something of an excuse for Spurs' plight in 2025/26. After all, we've now seen just how much better this team looks with Dominic Solanke leading the line.

The striker has returned to full fitness with a bang, scoring two goals against Manchester City last week, which included that special scorpion kick.

So, there is one side of the coin that says we should wait for Spurs to have a proper squad again before we pass judgment on Frank. Xavi Simons may well have signed in the summer but it cannot be underestimated just how big a loss James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have both been this term. The fact that Mohammed Kudus will be missing until April is also a seismic blow.

Injuries have been a huge burden but he's also been let down by several senior players. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has not been at his best, with that mistake against Fulham when Harry Wilson fired home one of his most memorable blunders. From the get-go, Yves Bissouma's attitude has also been questioned with Frank leaving him out of the Super Cup squad due to persistent lateness.

There is Pedro Porro too, who has been suspect defensively and not as strong going forward this season. He may well be a defender but he's not scored and has registered just two assists in 23 Premier League matches.

In 2024/25, he produced as many as six assists in 33 matches and also found the net on two occasions. With so many creative players out injured, Porro's importance should have become greater but like many in Lilywhite, he has found himself struggling.

The nadir of Frank's problems, however, reared its ugly head on Saturday lunchtime.

Time for key Spurs player to leave London behind

This summer feels like an ideal time to have something of a reset to the playing squad. The aforementioned Porro and Bissouma feel like prime candidates to leave while it would not be a surprise to see Vicario head out the exit door. Tottenham have already been linked with Sunderland stopper Robin Roefs as a potential replacement.

Yet, it's hard to dispute that Romero isn't the biggest problem facing Frank and Spurs right now. Forget about the injuries for a second, the Argentine has been a problem for a number of years now and simply has to go.

The centre-back has popped up with some vital moments since arriving under Nuno Santo. His passing and never-say-die attitude can never be called into question. He's a warrior, a leader of men and he's scored important goals. The Newcastle and Burnley strikes are a testament to that.

However, Romero is a defender by trade and he's not leading by example particularly well of late.

He caused a stir last week when he took to social media to call out the lack of availability among the Spurs squad. While Frank did suggest the matter had been dealt with internally, his club captain failed to step up to the plate adequately over the weekend and only made matters worse.

The last thing Spurs needed this week was a suspension and that's exactly what they got. Considering the comments Romero made, this was a moment of madness. His studs met the ankle of Casemiro at force and referee Michael Oliver had no choice but to send him for an early bath.

A mistimed tackle, yes, and perhaps accidental. No player means to hurt an opponent. Yet, Romero has a history in this regard. He will now miss the next four games due to this red card, three for the violent nature of the challenge, and an extra game because this was his second red card of the Premier League season. No other player has that record in 2025/26.

In fact, since the defender joined in 2021, no one has picked up more red cards in the English top-flight (4). To make matters worse, his six red cards in all competitions are the joint-most of any player in Spurs history.

As Chris Waddle said in conversation with Football FanCast last week, it was a surprise that he signed a four-year contract. particularly as it looks "like he's never really wanted to be at Tottenham." A bold claim, sure, and it would not be a surprise if he were no longer at the club beyond the summer.

The fact of the matter is that he's let down the fans and his manager on too many occasions now. Surely it's time to move him on.

Thomas Frank has been dealt yet another injury blow, with one Tottenham Hotspur star now set to join Dejan Kulusevski and others on the sidelines.

Frank: Tottenham "desperate to win games"

Fresh from Cristian Romero's comments slamming those in charge of transfer decisions in North London, the last thing that both he and Spurs needed was his dismissal. The captain complained about squad depth, but has now dealt Frank yet another avoidable issue to deal with in the next four games.

It's a desperate time for Tottenham, who have simply not progressed since finishing in the depths of the bottom half last season. And not even Frank could hide that desperation, admitting just how much his side need a victory against Newcaste United this week.

The Dane told reporters: "There is no doubt we are desperate to win games. Desperate. And I am focusing on Newcastle tomorrow. That is a great opportunity ahead of us against a good team.

"That is the main thing – can we go out there and get three points tomorrow, that will be very good and climb from there and look forward."

What hasn't helped Spurs this season is the absence of Kulusevski. The Swede was one of the few bright sparks last season, but has been injured since May of last year and could yet miss the rest of the current campaign.

The former Juventus man is, of course, not the only injury worry that Frank has to content with right now. Ahead of Tottenham's crucial clash against Newcastle, Spurs have been dealt even more bad news.

Frank confirms extent of Udogie injury

As a rampant Man United shoved the Lilywhites to one side last time out, it was Destiny Udogie who became the latest to limp off. Now, Frank has confirmed that Udogie will miss the next four games at the very least, given that he'll be sidelined for a month.

This means that, like Romero, Udogie will miss the North London derby on Sunday 22 February, as well as games against Crystal Palace, Fulham and Newcastle.

For Frank, it's not just another injury, it's another important absence. Everyone involved at the club will be well aware of Udogie's quality when he is at his best and praise from the Spurs boss earlier this season reflected that.

When your luck is out, your luck is out. For Thomas Frank, he may well be wondering what on earth he's done to upset the footballing gods after Tottenham Hotspur's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday lunchtime.

Since arriving at Spurs, Frank has been through it all. The majority of the squad appear to be injured and while he can use that as something of an excuse, he is now the owner of a shambolic record in north London.

Indeed, the Dane is now the worst manager in 'top six' history, recording a dismal 1.16 points per game average. To put that into context, it's a record that's even worse than Ruben Amorim during his ill-fated spell at Old Trafford.

There are plenty of things going wrong that Frank can control, but he's also being let down by some of his senior players.

The crux of their issues right now, however, may not be Frank, it may not be injuries either. Indeed, club captain Cristian Romero is a big issue.

Tottenham's Cristian Romero issue

This has been a massive week for the Argentine for all of the wrong reasons. Taking to Instagram a few days ago, Romero stated that it was "disgraceful" that the club had only been left with 11 fit players.

Frank was quick to reassure everyone that the matter had been dealt with internally but evidently, Romero is not in the right headspace.

His performance against Manchester United capped off a nightmare period for him, sent off for an over-the-top challenge that now leaves his team further in the lurch.

Considering his comments about team unavailability, this was the worst possible thing the centre-back could have done. After his red card, Romero will now miss the next four matches through suspension.

In all honesty, this wasn't a surprising moment. The defender has had countless problems with ill-discipline since moving to England, becoming the first player to be sent off twice in the Premier League this term.

In total, he has been shown four red cards in league action since arriving in 2021, more than any other player in that time frame. Furthermore, his six red cards for the club are the joint-most of anyone in Spurs' history.

Factor in that he is the club captain and this only makes things worse. That said, the manager has suggested the defender will carry on as captain. This will be no Granit Xhaka moment at Arsenal under Unai Emery.

Previously linked with Real Madrid, it wouldn't be a great surprise if Romero departed in the summer, but he's not the only one whose future should be in doubt.

Who should follow Romero out the exit door at Spurs?

While the immediate future at Spurs may look rather bleak, the long-term future is painted in an exciting way. This is a club who have the likes of Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray coming through the ranks. It's impossible to forget about the likes of Luka Vuskovic and Luca Williams-Barnett too.

However, it's hard to find a reason for why Romero will be part of that future. There are plenty of others in the Spurs squad who should be fearing for their future, too. Think Pedro Porro - the right-back whose performances have dwindled in recent seasons. Also think of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario who has endured some rough moments this campaign.

That said, perhaps no one has had a more challenging season than a certain Yves Bissouma.

Truth be told, it's been bad from minute one under Frank for the midfielder who hasn't really been seen much since the manager left him out of the squad for the UEFA Super Cup clash with PSG at the beginning of the campaign.

Bissouma was absent due to what was described as 'persistent lateness'. Frank had set his stool out and punished the midfielder. He's struggled to get back into the side since.

Indeed, the £25m signing was not only left out of the club's Champions League squad but he's also missed the vast majority of the season through a knee injury. A stint at AFCON also didn't help his club form.

The Mali midfielder is now fit again but it spoke volumes that even with so many players injured, he was dropped to the bench for the defeat to Manchester United.

Frank trusted him to start against Manchester City a week earlier, but clearly was left to rue that decision when he came off just after the hour mark. During his time on the field, Spurs were pretty terrible, let's be honest here.

It was Bissouma who was at fault for the first goal in that match. He was dispossessed in the middle of the park, which ultimately led to Rayan Cherki finding the back of the net. It was a moment that summed up his time in the capital after moving from Brighton.

Romero might well be in trouble for his ill-discipline, but he's still come up with some massive moments this term. Those goals against Newcastle United and Burnley a few weeks ago are evidence of that.

For Bissouma, however, his future at Spurs looks even more uncertain, irrespective of whether the current manager lasts much longer in the dugout. This summer will surely be the time to get rid.