Football FanCast

Tottenham Hotspur have finally sacked Thomas Frank, pressed against the backdrop of mounting relegation concerns.

Defeat at home against Newcastle United on Tuesday evening sent the Danish coach's tenuous tenure into a spin, marking their seventh loss from 13 home games in the Premier League.

There was no way back for Frank, who achieved great things with Brentford but has failed his first shot at stepping up and leading one of Europe's elite outfits.

Frank has been relieved of his duties, and rightly so, but now, the onus is on landing someone who can make this football club thrive once again.

The latest on Spurs' search for a manager

It's been months since chatter was first heard regarding Frank's position at the Tottenham helm. For a while now, it's felt like a matter of when, and not if, the 52-year-old would be dismissed from his duties.

Perceived to have played with pragmatic (some might say negative) tactics, Frank did not align with the way fans wanted to play, especially after predecessor Ange Postecoglou, whose football was erratic and unstable but at least entertaining.

Not only have Spurs proved an eye sore throughout the season, but they've failed to muster any kind of form in the league, and now they are only five points ahead of in-form West Ham United, who sit on the edge of the relegation zone.

Links to Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi, recently sacked by Marseille, have surfaced, but TEAMtalk have revealed that Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner could be the man for the job, with internal meetings between the Lewis family and Vinai Venkatesham already having taken place.

Glasner won the FA Cup and the Community Shield in 2025, lifting the Eagles to heights previously unseen. He is out of contract at the end of the season and has stated, vehemently, that he will not be changing his mind.

Tottenham have a number of candidates shortlisted, for sure, but Glasner might just be the perfect pick, someone who can facilitate a successful new chapter down N17.

Should this be the route Spurs go down, an interim boss will be required, meaning Frank's assistant manager at the club, John Heitinga, could get the nod.

Why Glasner is perfect for Spurs

Glasner has turned Crystal Palace into one of the top teams in the country. They've lulled in recent weeks, but this feels like a natural (if bitter for those of a Palace persuasion) end to a successful project.

The 51-year-old has built something priceless at Palace, and though his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation would take some getting used to at Tottenham, it is hardly as if the Lilywhites have been in a set-up that has fired on all cylinders since the start of the term.

He has won 44 of his 91 matches in charge at Selhurst Park, a points-per-game rate of 1.61. His team have scored 163 goals while only conceding 124.

Should Glasner arrive and reshape this Tottenham team, it could be to the benefit of Xavi Simons, who has struggled since arriving from RB Leipzig for £51m last summer.

The 22-year-old must be given some leeway, though, with N17 hardly proving a hothouse for player development, certainly when that player is young and finding their feet in a new, rigorous league.

But Glasner is a "special" coach, as remarked by football reporter Alex Howell, and he took Roy Hodgson's Palace side and crafted them into a slick and stylish outfit - and a title-winning one at that.

Eberechi Eze developed into one of the Premier League's top talents while under Glasner's management at Selhurst Park, and Simons could do something similar down N17, becoming a staple in a team who finally find their feet and break away from their creative bluntness.

Simons, after all, is creating 1.4 chances per game in the Premier League this season, and this in a system that has failed to get going.

Could Simons become Glasner's new talisman? Surely he was signed and welcomed to north London to take such a berth.

Under Glasner's wing, Simons might just become the superstar that fans are anticipating to see bloom.

And with that, Thomas Frank's reign as Tottenham Hotspur manager is done.

The Dane stated after Spurs' 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Tuesday night that "1000%" he would be in charge once the north London derby rolls around.

Well, around 12 hours later, confirmation arrived that he'd been sent on his way, sacked after a quite dismal time of it down at N17.

Frank leaves the Lilywhites behind as one of the worst managers in their history. That's a fact. His win percentage across all competitions of 34.2% sits at the very bottom of the pile for permanent Spurs managers.

So, ENIC had very little choice but to relieve him of his duties. They sit just five points above the relegation zone and change is required before they fall into an even deeper crisis.

Who could replace Frank at Spurs?

The job market right now is not flooded with options, which means that Spurs may well turn their attention towards an interim option before settling upon a permanent choice in the summer.

Ryan Mason - who was sacked at West Brom a few weeks ago - is reportedly one option while John Heitinga who was part of Frank's coaching setup, could be given the gig until the end of the season.

As far as permanent successors are concerned, Roberto De Zerbi is now a free agent after leaving Marseille behind in the last 24 hours. Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola have also been touted in recent months but will not leave until the end of the season.

That is the same problem that Tottenham face with Mauricio Pochettino, the name being sung by supporters inside the stadium on Tuesday evening.

According to the Independent, he is the club's "ideal" target as they look to find a swift resolution to their managerial problems.

It states that 'informal' talks have already taken place as Spurs weigh up an official approach to bring the former PSG boss back to north London.

Yet, he is currently in charge of the USA and, despite his apparent desire to return to the club, is not going anywhere until he's led the United States out at their home World Cup.

Why Pochettino is better than Glasner and Iraola

Well, here we go again. Spurs have been here before plenty of times over the years. They've tried it all but no one has been able to take the Londoners to the next level.

They've hired big names in the form of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte but both ended in tears. They've also tried Premier League-proven managers in the shape of Nuno Santo and Thomas Frank. The left-field appointment of Ange Postecoglou ended with a Europa League trophy but a terrible record domestically.

So, what is the answer? Well, there is a sense that Glasner and Iraola - however well rated they are in Premier League circles - could just bring about a similar degree of failure as Frank and Nuno.

The Crystal Palace boss may well have engineered FA Cup success at Selhurst Park but his pretty public falling out with Eagles owner Steve Parish shouldn't fill many at Spurs with glee, given how the hierarchy have ruled in the past.

There is De Zerbi, too, who famed for his attacking-minded possession-based football would be desirable for Spurs supporters. He performed mightily well at Brighton and did at one stage have Marseille in the Ligue 1 title race this term. There is a belief that the Italian one day will manage one of the elite teams but there is uncertainty at whether he'd be able to revive what appears to be a sinking ship right now.

In Pochettino, however, they would be getting one of very few managers who have managed to do something positive at Spurs. There is a romance to this move, of course there is, and some say don't go back, but Spurs know what they're getting here. Every other candidate, De Zerbi included, would be a risk and this is an appointment that cannot afford to set the Lilywhites back any further.

The Argentine has unfinished business at Tottenham. Tottenham have unfinished business with Poch. That Champions League final is one of the best achievements at Spurs in the modern era and no one has been able to get them anywhere close to that since. He is the man they need to get, forget everybody else.

The fact of the matter is that Pochettino is still truly an elite manager, not just one who has shown he can elevate Spurs, but a manager with a proven track record of developing young talent.

Dele Alli and Harry Kane both rose to stardom under the Argentine. Dele won the PFA Young Player of the Year award, while Kane's sheer number of goals in his 4-2-3-1 system are well documented.

That certainly bodes well for the current Spurs squad who have an array of top talents for Pochettino to get his hands on. Think Archie Gray, Tuesday night's goalscorer and Lucas Bergvall. The likes of Luka Vuskovic could also soar to new heights under the 53-year-old's wing.

This would be an appointment steeped in romance. Over to you Vinai Venkatesham and Co.

Members of the Lewis family really want Tottenham to appoint a title-winning manager to replace Thomas Frank, according to a fresh report.

Spurs' catastrophic gamble on the Dane collapsed in spectacular fashion this morning when the club's hierarchy finally terminated his contract.

The decision follows an eight-month reign that had become completely untenable following relentless supporter protests and dismal Premier League form, with the Lilywhites sitting just five points above the drop zone.

Tuesday's 2-1 Newcastle humiliation proved the final straw for a board already reeling from fan mutiny that saw angry Tottenham Hotspur Stadium crowds chant "sacked in the morning" throughout the dismal performance.

Frank's tenure delivers horrifying statistical evidence justifying his removal.

His 26.9 percent league win ratio is the worst of any Tottenham manager in Premier League history, whilst his overall tally of 13 victories from 38 encounters represents abject failure for a supposed 'big six' club.

Spurs now confront their sixth permanent managerial search in seven years, underlining the chronic instability that has transformed once-proud Champions League regulars into Championship candidates.

It is back to square one for the Lilywhites board, who've already been linked with a host of intriguing manager names since Frank was handed his P45.

Tottenham are believed to be considering ex-Barcelona boss Xavi, alongside the likes of Roberto De Zerbi, Oliver Glasner, Marco Silva, Andoni Iraola and former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Pochettino is seen as a major frontrunner for the Tottenham job, but it will only be possible to re-hire the Argentine after this summer's World Cup, where he will be taking charge of the USA as they host the tournament.

In the meantime, Spurs could turn to an interim until the end of the season, with ex-striker Robbie Keane in the frame despite his managerial role at Ferencvaros.

After their potential stop-gap, a return to north London for Pochettino could well be on the cards, with talkSPORT journalist Ben Jacobs sharing an update.

Lewis family members want Pochettino back at Tottenham

Writing in a piece for GiveMeSport this afternoon, Jacobs reports that members of the Lewis family are championing Pochettino as their top choice to take over at Tottenham.

There is apparently 'notable support' within Tottenham when it comes to the prospect of re-appointing Pochettino, and from some in the Lewis family, with the Argentine seen as a 'leading candidate' behind-the-scenes.

However, the ex-PSG and Chelsea boss returning is still no guarantee, and Spurs want to carry out an extensive managerial process, which is why they could hire an interim boss in the meantime.

The 53-year-old, who won a Ligue 1 title with PSG, guided Tottenham to a shock Champions League final in 2019 despite not being backed at all by ex-chairman Daniel Levy when it came to transfers.

Even after making barely any new signings to refresh the squad, the 'genius' Pochettino still managed successive top four finishes as well, and he is without doubt Tottenham's best manager of the Premier League era.

He deserved a piece of silverware for all of his efforts, but now he could have a second opportunity to make history back at N17.

Tottenham are discussing a 'surprising' move to hire a former England manager to replace Thomas Frank, according to a fresh report.

Tottenham's list of managerial targets after sacking Frank

Spurs have kickstarted their search for Frank's permanent successor with seven interesting candidates already linked in the aftermath of the Dane's dismissal.

Chief executive Vinai Venkatesham spearheaded the brutal dismissal after holding crisis discussions with executive chairman Peter Charrington as Tottenham's first-half horror show unfolded against Newcastle on Tuesday (TEAMtalk).

The Lewis family rubber-stamped Frank's termination overnight, ending eight months of misery that delivered just 13 victories from 38 matches across all competitions.

According to reports, the Lilywhites had actually been making contingency plans since as far back as the turn of the year, so it is anyone's guess as to why it has taken this long for Frank to go.

Startling revelations are now coming out about how those within Spurs, including the players and staff, felt about the Dane during his dismal tenure in charge.

The Telegraph's Matt Law claims that some members of the squad were disillusioned by Frank's methodology and penchant to try and nullify the opposition as much as possible, as opposed to actually implementing a clear playing identity of their own.

Law also spoke of Frank's bizarre obsession with north London rivals Arsenal, with members of the squad and staff growing tired of his constant mentioning of the Gunners.

Of course, fans will think back to that infamous image of the ex-Brentford boss holding an Arsenal cup, which has since been meme'd to death on social media.

Frank will unfortunately go down as one of Tottenham's worst managers in recent memory, with a host of top bosses like Mauricio Pochettino, Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva, Roberto De Zerbi, Oliver Glasner, Julian Nagelsmann and even Thomas Tuchel all mentioned as candidates to take over.

Right now, Pochettino and De Zerbi appear the most mentioned for the now-vacant Tottenham post, but a shock candidate has since emerged.

Tottenham discuss 'surprising' move for Gareth Southgate

As per TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey, Gareth Southgate has emerged as a 'surprising' contender following internal discussions amongst senior figures.

Some Spurs chiefs believe the former England manager's leadership qualities and player-management expertise could steady a fractious dressing room.

Whether Southgate harbors genuine interest remains uncertain, though his name continues to feature prominently in talks behind-the-scenes despite being the most left-field candidate on Tottenham's extensive shortlist.

However, the 55-year-old does have his credentials.

The ex-Middlesbrough boss guided England through their most successful period since 1966, leading the Three Lions to two European Championship finals and the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018.

While it is easy to label Southgate as a 'nearly man' who ultimately didn't take any silverware home, he was still the closest England boss to do so by a country mile in the last 60 years.

England were hopeless and disjointed before he replaced Sam Allardyce in 2016, and Southgate briefly restored genuine pride in the national team during his Wembley tenure.

It isn't beyond the realms of possibility that he could do the same at Tottenham, who are practically the 'England of the Premier League' right now.

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.