Sports
ENIC can finally hire Frank upgrade who’s “too good” for Spurs
It’s a new year, and fans will be hoping for a new Tottenham Hotspur, one whose attacking play is sharper and whose home form in the Premier League is sterner for opponents.
Spurs shouldn’t be too gloom and doom about their fortunes, only four points behind fifth-place Chelsea at the season’s midpoint, but Thomas Frank‘s football has left much to be desired so far, and the Danish coach has been candid in his assertion that he is not enjoying his time at the helm given the sombre mood about N17.
Frank will be given time, but those in the ENIC head offices will have considered the possibility that Frank will be axed down the line, should results and performances not improve this term.
Who could replace Frank at Spurs
The managerial market is slim right now, and the Lewis family will be hesitant to pull the plug on a project they started at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, boldly dismissing Ange Postecoglou after he led Tottenham to the Europa League, albeit finishing 17th in the Premier League too.
But this hasn’t stopped murmurings of new names circulating, with Premier League trio Oliver Glasner, Marco Silva and Andoni Iraola all shortlisted in December, as per Football Insider.
However, prising any of these names away will come with risks, and Spurs could instead look to land a manager with an understanding of what it takes to lead this club and champion the culture, so important to the fans.
Perhaps that’s why rumours of a return to the club have been touted for Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine coach is currently preparing USMNT for a 2026 World Cup that will be principally held in the United States, but this hasn’t stopped Caught Offside from revealing last month that his name has popped up during internal managerial conversations, and that he is actually the frontrunner should push come to shove.
Frank may not be sacked any time soon, with the January transfer window sure to bring new additions in line with Frank’s vision, but continued poor results and performances might force the club’s hand/
Why Pochettino would be the right fit for Spurs
Some Tottenham supporters might voice concerns about going back to an ex – and one who has since been with Chelsea – but Pochettino knows the club and understands that To Dare Is To Do.
The 53-year-old has managed 294 matches in the Premier League, and he led Tottenham to the 2019 Champions League final, creating a balanced and exciting team who were lauded for their initiative and easy-on-the-eye play.
Journalist Alex Keble rather brazenly remarked in 2019 that Poch was a “genius” who was “too good” for Tottenham, though this related to former chairman Daniel Levy’s miserly reputation, consistently pegged as a man who would not spend and match the ambitions of Premier League rivals.
Now, this new version of Tottenham are ready to challenge the big boys and establish themselves at the very top of domestic and European football, and Pochettino could be the perfect man to achieve this, bringing a brand of attacking football that could far surpass Frank’s more pragmatic tactics.
Rooted in stability and adaptability, the Spurs boss did great things with Brentford, but he’s failed to translate that shrewd coaching ability to north London, with Tottenham among the least effective creators in England this year.
|
Premier League 25/26 – Lowest xG Table |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Team |
Goals Scored |
xG Total |
|
(16) West Ham |
21 |
20.2 |
|
(17) Tottenham |
27 |
17.8 |
|
(18) Burnley |
20 |
17.3 |
|
(19) Wolves |
11 |
17.2 |
|
(20) Sunderland |
20 |
16.3 |
|
Data via FBref |
||
Expected Goals (xG) is a metric designed to measure the probability of a shot resulting in a goal.
It’s not good enough, and while Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison continue to await their seasonal debuts as they recover from long-term injuries, Frank knows that things need to improve promptly if he is to build a long-term tenure.
Should that not be the case, Pochettino might be the perfect pick. He has a hunger to win silverware in the English game, and that might be the perfect combination with a deep connection and love for the Lilywhite club.
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