Exclusive: Tottenham draw clear Thomas Frank boundary amid sack latest
Tottenham will be forced into action regarding the future of Thomas Frank if they are dragged further into the relegation battle, sources have told Football Insider.
The Lilywhites are now just eight points clear of West Ham in the final relegation place, and if that gap is cut further in the coming weeks, then a concrete decision will be made regarding Frank’s future.
Football Insider revealed on Saturday that Tottenham are prepared to give Frank more time to turn the team’s fortunes around, but sources now say that they are aware that a line must be drawn at some stage.
The North Londoners face both Manchester clubs as well as Newcastle and Arsenal in their next four games, and a difficult run across those assignments would leave their boss on the brink.
West Ham upturn to have Tottenham glancing over their shoulders
Football Insider recently revealed that Tottenham are expected to have Xavi on their shortlist for potential replacements for Frank, if it is needed in the coming weeks.
The Lilywhites would be expected to explore the possibility of a big-name appointment for their next boss, despite the fact that the prospect of a relegation battle is becoming a realistic concern.
| Tottenham | Date (TOT-WHU) | West Ham |
| Manchester City (H) | 1 Feb – 31 Jan | Chelsea (A) |
| Manchester United (A) | 7 Feb – 7 Feb | Burnley (A) |
| Newcastle (H) | 10 Feb – 10 Feb | Manchester United (H) |
| Arsenal (H) | 22 Feb – 21 Feb | Bournemouth (H) |
| Fulham (A) | 1 Mar – 28 Feb | Liverpool (A) |
West Ham looked dead and buried a few weeks ago, but three consecutive victories across FA Cup and Premier League action have seen Nuno Espirito Santo’s side breathe new life into their survival push.
They have a meeting with fellow strugglers Burnley on the horizon, while Bournemouth at home also represents a winnable game on their upcoming schedule.
The Irons remain eight points behind their London rivals at the moment, but their upturn in form will have set alarm bells ringing somewhat at Tottenham.
Spurs set their sights on Fabian Hurzeler
Football Insider revealed last week that Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is on Tottenham’s radar if they need to replace Frank, with the German understood to have admirers in North London.
The 32-year-old’s calmness amid the pressure of the Premier League has caught the eye of the Tottenham hierarchy, while his extensive experience at a young age is another tick against his name.
Hurzeler is under contract at the Amex Stadium until 2027, but with just one year remaining on that deal in the summer, prying glances are expected from elsewhere.
The Brighton boss is a young coach who is in a similar mould to Frank in terms of his career experience when he took the Spurs job, and he could soon be about to become his successor.