Sports Mole

Thomas Frank could be offered a Premier League lifeline if he is sacked by Tottenham Hotspur, according to a report.

The 52-year-old ended his successful six-year spell in charge of Brentford to become Spurs head coach in the summer, replacing Ange Postecoglou and penning a contract until 2028.

However, Frank has only won 34.38% of his 32 games as Tottenham boss (W11 D9 L12), with pressure growing on the Dane following a miserable run of just three wins in 15 matches across all competitions.

Frank was met with boos and "you are getting sacked in the morning" chants from Spurs supporters following the club’s disappointing 2-1 Premier League defeat at home to relegation-threatened rivals West Ham United last weekend, leaving his side languishing in 14th place in the table.

On Monday, Frank insisted that he is still “feeling the trust” of the club’s board, including CEO Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange, after a productive meeting over his future.

Crystal Palace eye Frank as Glasner successor

However, failure to secure a positive result in Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund could force the leadership to reconsider their stance on Frank before this weekend’s Premier League trip to Burnley.

Should Frank be relieved of his duties in the near future, Football Insider reports that Crystal Palace will plan to offer the Dane the chance to become their new manager in the summer.

The Eagles are on the lookout for a successor to Oliver Glasner, who announced at the end of last week that he will not renew his contract at Selhurst Park and will leave the club at the end of the season.

It has been suggested that Glasner could be sacked by Palace after he launched a scathing attack on the club’s board in the aftermath of Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Sunderland.

Glasner said that his squad is being “abandoned completely" by Palace’s hierarchy and chairman Steve Parish was left ‘bemused and angered’ over the Austrian’s criticism of the club’s transfer strategy, including the timing of Marc Guehi’s sale to Manchester City.

Glasner set to remain at Palace until summer despite sack suggestions

Glasner would be in line for a payout if Crystal Palace decide to sack the 51-year-old before his contract runs out in the summer.

However, it is understood that the Eagles would like to see Glasner see out his contract and they remain confident that he can turn the club's underwhelming form - 10 games without a win in all competitions - around after holding internal discussions.

Frank is expected to remain on Palace’s managerial radar until the summer, while at least three more names have already been identified as possible replacements for Glasner.

A recent report claims that Getafe boss Jose Bordalas, Rayo Vallecano’s Inigo Perez and Kieran McKenna of Ipswich Town could all be ‘considered’ for the Palace job this summer.

Palace currently sit 13th in the Premier League table, six points behind the top six, while they will soon resume their Conference League campaign against Zrinjski Mostar in a two-legged knockout round playoff.

Thomas Frank has commented on the intense boos from the Tottenham Hotspur supporters after Saturday's 2-1 Premier League defeat against West Ham United.

The loss was Spurs' ninth of the 2025-26 season, leaving the North London club 14th in the Premier League table after 22 gameweeks.

The capital club have won just one of their last eight across all competitions, losing five, and the fans ran out of patience with the Danish manager during the game, chanting "you are getting sacked in the morning" at the former Brentford boss.

Rumours swirled after the defeat that Frank was on the brink of getting the sack at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but the manager remains in situ for the time being.

Frank "feeling the trust" after meeting with Spurs board

Frank revealed on Monday that he held a productive lunch meeting with influential figures, including CEO Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange.

The head coach insisted that he still feels the backing and support of his employers despite the mounting external scrutiny on his position.

"I've just been feeling the trust along the way. I've said that every press meeting, that there's backing and support," he said via Sky Sports News. "I had lunch with Nick [Beucher] and Vinai [Venkatesham, CEO] and Johan [Lange, sporting director] today, so all good.

"I know it's part of the media circus and the only focus I have is to do everything I can for us to win against Dortmund.

"I've said many times and I'll say it again, as long as we win football matches and make sure we win enough of them, then everyone will support us.

"It's not about me, it's about supporting the team, supporting the players."

Despite their domestic struggles, Spurs are 11th in the league phase of the 36-team Champions League, positioned just a point behind Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid — between sixth and eighth — ahead of the penultimate matchday in Europe.

The above source suggests that while meetings were held at board level to discuss Frank's future, he will lead the team in Europe this week, although the 52-year-old will have to deal with a plethora of injuries.

Spurs down to bare bones for Dortmund European clash

The task for the under-fire manager is complicated by a severe injury crisis that has left the squad down to the bare bones.

Only 11 senior players are currently fit and available for selection for the visit of the Bundesliga giants, including primary defenders Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro.

Forward options are limited to Dominic Solanke, Randal Kolo Muani and Wilson Odobert as the club faces a race against time to recover key starters.

A failure to secure a positive result against Dortmund could force the leadership to reconsider their stance before the weekend trip to Burnley.

Clinging onto his Tottenham Hotspur job by a thread, Thomas Frank must secure a positive result against Borussia Dortmund in Tuesday's Champions League clash if he is to earn a stay of execution.

The Lilywhites have lost each of their last three games in all competitions but sit in a respectable 11th place in the 36-team league-phase table, trailing 10th-placed BVB on goals scored, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.

TOTTENHAM vs. BORUSSIA DORTMUND

TOTTENHAM

Out: Micky van de Ven (suspended), Conor Gallagher (ineligible), Radu Dragusin (ineligible), Yves Bissouma (ineligible), Ben Davies (ankle), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), James Maddison (knee), Rodrigo Bentancur (thigh), Mohammed Kudus (thigh), Richarlison (thigh), Mathys Tel (ineligible), Joao Palhinha (knock)

Doubtful: Pape Sarr (AFCON)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Danso, Spence; Gray, Bergvall; Odobert, Simons, Kolo Muani; Solanke

BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Out: Marcel Sabitzer (calf)

Doubtful: None

Thomas Frank may be without as many as 15 players for Tottenham Hotspur's showdown with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.

Frank heads into the Champions League fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium allegedly on the brink of losing his job in the dugout.

Saturday's 2-1 defeat at home to West Ham United was greeted by a cacophony of boos from Spurs supporters who have it clear that they want the Dane to be sacked.

Reports on Monday morning have indicated that Frank will remain in charge for the game with the Bundesliga giants.

Nevertheless, Frank finds himself in a position where he will be without at least half of the Spurs first-team squad.

© Imago / IMAGO / News Images

Which 15 players could Spurs be missing for Dortmund game?

Most notably, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur and Richarlison are all long-term injury absentees.

Joao Palhinha is an obvious injury doubt after missing the defeat to West Ham with a knock.

As per The Standard, Xavi Simons was seen hobbling after that fixture and is seemingly facing a race against time to be available.

Ben Davies suffered what appeared to be a knee injury in that game and will be unavailable, while Archie Gray also suffered knocks versus the Hammers.

Only 48 hours would have passed between Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations triumph and Dortmund taking to the pitch in North London, making it highly unlikely that Pape Matar Sarr will come under consideration.

New signing Conor Gallagher is ineligible until the knockout phase due to squad registration rules, which also keep the likes of Radu Dragusin, Yves Bissouma and Dominic Solanke out of the equation.

Meanwhile, Micky van de Ven is serving a one-match suspension for collecting three yellow cards during the League Phase.

© Imago / Focus Images

Where do Spurs sit in League Phase table?

Although pressure is intensifying on Frank, Spurs have collected 11 points from their six League Phase fixtures, leaving them in 11th place with two matches remaining.

While Spurs are all but assured of a top-24 spot, they realistically need to defeat both Dortmund and fellow Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt to have a chance of direct qualification for the last 16.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank desperately needs a win against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday in the Champions League.

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be the staging ground for a crucial European clash, with Spurs 11th in the Champions League table with 11 points.

The Lilywhites are currently in 14th place in the Premier League table following an embarrassing 2-1 defeat against West Ham United on Saturday.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Tottenham's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash at home against Borussia Dortmund.

Ben Davies

Status: Out

Type of injury: Leg

Possible return date: Unknown

Ben Davies suffered a serious leg injury in his side's defeat against West Ham United, requiring a stretcher and oxygen, and he is likely to miss an extended period.

Joao Palhinha

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Knock

Possible return date: January 20 (vs. Borussia Dortmund)

Joao Palhinha suffered a knock in training ahead of Tottenham's loss against West Ham, though he has a strong chance of featuring against Dortmund.

Rodrigo Bentancur

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Bentancur sustained a hamstring injury in Tottenham's defeat to Bournemouth earlier this month. The Uruguayan has since undergone surgery and is expected to be out for a significant period.

Mohammed Kudus

Status: Out

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: Unknown

Unfortunately for Spurs fans, the thigh injury that Mohammed Kudus picked up against Sunderland on January 4 is expected to keep the Ghana international out until after March's international break.

Richarlison

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Richarlison was forced off in the first half against Aston Villa on January 10 with a hamstring problem, and he is set to miss up to seven weeks of action.

James Maddison

Status: Out

Type of injury: ACL

Possible return date: Unknown

Maddison is currently working on his rehabilitation from the ACL injury that he sustained in August. The 29-year-old's focus will be on returning to fitness for pre-season ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Dejan Kulusevski

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Kulusevski has not played since April due to a long-term knee injury. Frank recently revealed that the attacker could back on the grass in the next three to four weeks, but he still seems some way off from returning to first-team action.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR’S SUSPENSION LIST

Micky van de Ven

© Imago

Return date: January 24 (vs. Burnley)

Micky van de Ven has collected three yellow cards in the Champions League and will serve a one-match suspension on Tuesday.

Tottenham Hotspur have identified Brighton & Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler as a replacement for Thomas Frank, the latest report has claimed.

Spurs suffered an embarrassing 2-1 defeat against West Ham United on Saturday, with the 18th-placed Hammers picking up their first win in 11 Premier League games.

Thomas Frank has only guided the club to three victories in 15 matches in all competitions, and it would not be surprising if he lost his job in the coming days.

The head coach's dismissal would see Londoners sack a manager for the second time in just over seven months, creating further chaos at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Football Insider report that Spurs have been impressed by Brighton boss Hurzeler, with the club's hierarchy said to have been pleased by how the German has handled the pressures of managing in the Premier League.

Fabian Hurzeler assessed: How has Hurzeler performed?

Brighton are currently 12th in the Premier League with 29 points, two more than 14th-placed Tottenham, though they do have a game in hand and could move four points behind fourth-placed Liverpool if they beat Bournemouth on Monday.

Hurzeler had to deal with a number of exits in the summer of 2025, with the Seagulls losing key stars such as Joao Pedro, Simon Adingra and Pervis Estupinan.

Midfielder Carlos Baleba has also had a severely disrupted season after a move to Manchester United failed to materialise, and it is understandable that the team have somewhat struggled this campaign.

Hurzeler did guide Brighton to an eighth-placed finish in 2024-25 with 61 points, their second-highest ever tally in the top flight, and his team have consistently played an attacking brand of football.

Are there concerns about Fabian Hurzeler as Frank replacement?

After experiencing significant turmoil under Ange Postecoglou and Frank, it is important that the club look to bring in someone capable of stabilising results and performances.

Hurzeler is only 32 and has been managing in the Premier League for less than two seasons, though he did become head coach of St Pauli in December 2022.

The head coach led St Pauli to promotion to the Bundesliga in the 2023-24 campaign, but his time at Brighton is his only experience of top-flight football.

Perhaps Spurs hold interest in Hurzeler considering his contract at the Amex Stadium expires in the 2027, and bringing him to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could be relatively straightforward.

Tottenham Hotspur could be taking to the field under Thomas Frank for the final time in Tuesday's Champions League showdown with Borussia Dortmund in North London.

The Europa League holders enter the league-phase contest on a three-game losing run in all tournaments, the most recent of those defeats being a humiliating 2-1 home loss to West Ham United in Saturday's Premier League clash.

However, 11th-placed Spurs are only behind 10th-placed Dortmund on goals scored in the UCL rankings, but Niko Kovac's men are unbeaten in seven before Tuesday's mouthwatering tussle.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at the head-to-head record and previous meetings between the two sides.

Head-to-head record

Previous meetings: 6

Tottenham Hotspur wins: 4

Draws: 0

Borussia Dortmund wins: 2

Both losing Champions League finalists in the 21st century, Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund have met four times in the continent's premier tournament and twice in the Europa League down the years.

The Lilywhites have impressively triumphed in all of those UCL contests to lead the overall head-to-head record, whereas Dortmund got the better of the North London club on both occasions in the 2015-16 Europa League.

En route to their runners-up medals in 2019, Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham made light work of Dortmund in the last 16, strolling to a 4-0 aggregate victory over two legs.

Son Heung-min, Jan Vertonghen and Fernando Llorente found the back of the net in a 3-0 first-leg triumph at Wembley, before Spurs made absolutely sure of their spot in the quarter-finals at the Signal Iduna Park by virtue of a Harry Kane goal.

Two years prior, Spurs and Dortmund did battle in the group stage of the 2017-18 Champions League, where Kane and Son struck in a 3-1 Wembley win for Tottenham before another successful away day.

The deadly double act were at it again in November 2017, cancelling out a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opener to propel the Lilywhites to a 2-1 victory on German soil.

Tottenham's UCL wins over Dortmund were belated revenge for BVB's successes in the 2015-16 Europa League, in which the Bundesliga powerhouses secured a 5-1 aggregate victory over the Premier League side.

Aubameyang's opener and a Marco Reus brace launched Dortmund to a 3-0 first-leg win at home, and one week later at White Hart Lane, Pochettino's Spurs were haunted by the future Arsenal striker yet again; his double gave Dortmund a 2-1 victory before their unforgettable quarter-final exit to Liverpool.

Last six meetings

Mar 05, 2019: Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Champions League)

Feb 13, 2019: Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Borussia Dortmund (Champions League)

Nov 21, 2017: Borussia Dortmund 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur (Champions League)

Sep 13, 2017: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Borussia Dortmund (Champions League)

Mar 17, 2016: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Borussia Dortmund (Europa League)

Mar 10, 2016: Borussia Dortmund 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Europa League)

Read more on Tottenham Hotspur vs Borussia Dortmund

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank faces a bona-fide selection crisis for Tuesday's critical Champions League showdown with Borussia Dortmund at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Dane is said to be losing internal support after Saturday's 2-1 Premier League loss to West Ham United, and a dissatisfactory result on Tuesday could very well spell the end of his time in charge.

It is hard not to sympathise with Frank on the selection front, though, as Spurs' injury problems worsened on Saturday when Ben Davies was stretchered off with a nasty-looking leg injury.

The Welshman joins Joao Palhinha (knock), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), James Maddison (knee), Rodrigo Bentancur (thigh), Mohammed Kudus (thigh) and Richarlison (thigh) in the treatment room, while Yves Bissouma, Radu Dragusin, Micky van de Ven and Conor Gallagher are all ineligible for the fixture for one reason or another.

Pape Sarr will surely not be considered for selection just two days after the Africa Cup of Nations final either, so Frank's hand will be forced in midfield, where Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall should operate in the double pivot.

The hosting manager can call upon Dominic Solanke again domestically, but he remains ineligible in Europe, so Randal Kolo Muani, Mathys Tel, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert should be retained.

Van de Ven's suspension and Davies's injury open the door for Djed Spence and Kevin Danso to come into the backline, where Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero and Guglielmo Vicario are still mainstays.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Danso, Spence; Gray, Bergvall; Odobert, Simons, Tel; Kolo Muani

With or without Thomas Frank at the helm, Tottenham Hotspur welcome Borussia Dortmund to North London for Tuesday's fascinating Champions League league-phase contest.

The matchday seven showdown pits 10th-placed BVB against 11th-placed Spurs, who only trail their German counterparts on goals scored but have little to shout about on the form front.

Match preview

Currently higher in the 36-team Champions League league-phase table than they are in the 20-club Premier League rankings, Europe's premier tournament has sometimes offered Tottenham a welcome escape from their domestic disasters in 2025-26.

The reigning Europa League champions strolled to their third win of the league phase on matchday six, taking down Slavia Prague 3-0 to remain within one point of the top eight places, which guarantee an automatic ticket to the last 16.

The crushing of the Czech side also represented Tottenham's third successive win and clean sheet in Champions League home games this season, but Frank's crop have not prevailed on their own turf since, and Saturday's result was perhaps the worst of the lot.

Indeed, Premier League crisis club West Ham United upset the Lilywhites with a 2-1 London derby triumph, condemning Tottenham to their third straight defeat in all competitions and leaving Frank's job hanging by the thinnest of threads.

Internal talks are thought to have been held over the Dane's future, but he remains Tottenham manager for the time being; whether the same can be said if Spurs fall short in midweek is another question entirely, though.

Frank's opposite number this week - Niko Kovac - has no similar fears over his job security at the Signal Iduna Park, even if the 2023-24 Champions League runners-up are also fighting an uphill battle to avoid the dreaded playoff stage.

BVB's most recent European affair was a forgettable one - they let two one-goal leads slip to draw 2-2 at home with Bodo/Glimt - and Kovac's side have already shipped 10 UCL goals on the road this term, four to Manchester City and Juventus and two to Copenhagen.

Dortmund both ended 2025 and began 2026 as they meant to continue, though, as Saturday's 3-2 Bundesliga win over St Pauli - courtesy of a last-minute Emre Can penalty - extended their unbeaten run to seven matches in all tournaments.

However, BVB remain a distant second to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga table and were eliminated from the DFB-Pokal by Bayer Leverkusen last month, so the Champions League now represents their best opportunity of silverware for the remainder of 2025-26.

The visitors will not take comfort from their record of seven losses from their last eight games away to English teams in Europe, though, nor their four-match losing run against Tottenham, who most recently bested BVB 4-0 on aggregate in the 2018-19 last 16.

Tottenham Hotspur Champions League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Borussia Dortmund Champions League form:

Borussia Dortmund form (all competitions):

Team News

At a time when Frank needs every possible troop fit and available, a double defensive blow is not what the doctor ordered for the Dane, who is firstly missing Micky van de Ven due to a yellow-card suspension.

To make matters worse, the experienced Ben Davies was stretchered off with a nasty-looking leg injury against West Ham, although there is still no firm update on the Welshman's condition.

Nevertheless, he will surely take his seat on the sidelines with Dejan Kulusevski (knee), James Maddison (knee), Rodrigo Bentancur (thigh), Mohammed Kudus (thigh), Richarlison (thigh), Dominic Solanke (ineligible), and Radu Dragusin (ineligible), while Joao Palhinha is likely to miss out with a knock.

New signing Conor Gallagher is also not registered alongside the returning Yves Bissouma, and the clash will surely come too soon for Pape Sarr, who finishes his Africa Cup of Nations campaign on Sunday.

Dortmund are not so unfortunate on the fitness front, but Chelsea loanee Aaron Anselmino (hamstring) is still out, while Marcel Sabitzer (calf) and Ramy Bensebaini (illness) were also absent from the five-goal thriller with St Pauli.

Kovac faces an intriguing dilemma up front too, as Fabio Silva has forced his way into the XI over Serhou Guirassy in recent weeks, and the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man has likely done enough to hold his spot for Tuesday.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Danso, Spence; Gray, Bergvall; Odobert, Simons, Tel; Kolo Muani

Borussia Dortmund possible starting lineup:

Kobel; Can, Anton, Schlotterbeck; Ryerson, Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson; Adeyemi, Brandt; Silva

We say: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Borussia Dortmund

Spurs may have been flawless at home in Europe so far this season, but that should prove meaningless amid their current predicament, in terms squad availability, fan disconnect and pitifully poor performances.

Faced with a Dortmund side who have scored in all of their 14 away games this season, the writing might be on the wall for Frank, who could - or should, in the eyes of some Spurs fans - take charge of his last Tottenham match on Tuesday.

A Tottenham Hotspur-bound defender has issued a heartfelt goodbye to his current club ahead of his £13m switch to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Lilywhites are in disarray after their harrowing 2-1 home loss to West Ham United in Saturday's Premier League clash, which ramped up the pressure on head coach Thomas Frank.

The Dane's side have now lost three straight games in all tournaments, are winless in five and have picked up a paltry three victories from their last 15 contests; sack-worthy form in the eyes of many.

Frank's position is now believed to be under threat, as Spurs are holding internal talks about whether to dismiss the head coach or keep faith in the ex-Brentford manager to turn his team's fortunes around.

Regardless of Spurs' managerial decision, the hierarchy have already made a firm decision on a new arrival, as Santos left-back Souza is on the verge of completing his move to North London.

Souza says goodbye to Santos before £13m Tottenham transfer

The 19-year-old posted an emotional goodbye to Santos on Instagram on Saturday night, writing: "After 10 years of defending this shield, the time has come for a new challenge.

"The last year was intense, of growth and overcoming, but even in the difficult moments, I felt the affection and support of the Santista cheerleading. This will never be forgotten.

"I walk out with my head held high, grateful for all that I have experienced and for the certainty that this story was built with truth. Thanks for everything, @santosfc is a pride that not everyone can have!"

Football.london reports that Souza - who has already passed his medical - was in attendance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Saturday's West Ham loss and also visited the dressing room.

The former Brazil youth international - who won the Under-17 South American championship in 2023 - leaves Santos having registered one goal and four assists in 38 games for the South American giants.

When could Souza make his Tottenham debut?

© Imago / IMAGO / justpictures.ch

Spurs return to action in just two days' time when they face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, and there is no guarantee that Souza's arrival will be confirmed before the visit of the German giants.

Regardless, Souza could not make his Tottenham debut in midweek anyway, as Spurs cannot add any new signings to their Champions League squad until the knockout stages.

The 2006-born defender must also receive a work permit before he can line up for Tottenham, but if all goes to plan, he could be involved in next weekend's Premier League clash with Burnley at Turf Moor.

Souza's arrival is particularly timely for Tottenham, as Ben Davies was stretchered off with a serious-looking injury on Saturday, although there is still no firm update on the Welshman's condition.