Xabi Alonso Stance On Replacing Thomas Frank At Tottenham

The big question at Tottenham Hotspur in the second half of 2025/26 is whether they pull the trigger on sacking Thomas Frank before the season is out. But if they do, Xabi Alonso is unlikely to be the man to take over.

It has been a disastrous season – again – for Spurs, who sit 14th in the Premier League table after 22 games. They could even drop to 15th if Bournemouth beat Brighton & Hove Albion in the Monday Night Football clash in their game in hand.

Spurs have won one of their last seven Premier League matches with the latest debacle coming in N17 on Saturday with rivals West Ham – in the relegation zone in the Premier League – walking away with all three points to pick up their first victory in 11 attempts.

Tottenham Face Huge Couple of Games

Frank had the backing of the Tottenham owners heading into that game, but that result and the backlash from the fans inside the stadium at the full-time whistle, has led to conversations behind the scenes about the Dane’s future at the club.

Large swathes of the fanbase chanted ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ towards Frank, who seemed unperturbed, stating that it was “probably not the best time, of course” for him.

Tottenham face Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, before a trip to Turf Moor to take on another struggling side in Burnley next weekend. It could be a make of break couple of games – if Frank is allowed to continue as boss.

There are plenty of names in the frame to replace him, should Spurs wield the axe, with Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner – himself under pressure after criticising the Eagles board – the favourite to take over.

Alonso Waits On Other Opportunities

Mauricio Pochettino will always be high among the betting for a return to his old club, while Andoni Iraola – out of contract at the end of the season like Glasner – is highly admired in N17.

Given his recent departure from Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso is another name that has been linked with the role, but he would turn down any approach from Spurs, should it come.

A report by the Independent stated that Alonso’s name had been talked about in the corridors of Tottenham Hotspur as a potential candidate to replace Frank at the helm, but the Spaniard feels he might have more varied options in the summer, were he to wait and see what opened up then.

Alonso Teams Play Like Guardiola Teams

Alonso – described as ‘extraordinary’ by Carlo Ancelotti – led Bayer Leverkusen to an incredible unbeaten season in the Bundesliga in 2023/24, leading to his coaching star to rise and leading to that appointment at the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer. It may not have gone quite to plan, but Jamie Carragher believes he has what it takes to coach at the very top.

Speaking in 2024, he said of his former Liverpool teammate: “It’s not like Klopp’s Liverpool. It’s more reminiscent of what we see from Pep Guardiola’s team.

“We can say that Alonso’s influence is more like Guardiola’s, which makes sense because he was his coach.”