Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in another moment of uncertainty, and once again the conversation has turned toward the manager’s seat. After the club parted ways with Ange Postecoglou in the summer, many believed the arrival of Thomas Frank would usher in calm, structure, and a clearer identity.
Postecoglou had spoken confidently about the magic of a third season, yet he never got the time to prove it. Despite guiding Spurs into Europe and lifting a major trophy, the disastrous Premier League finish pushed the club into another reset.
Frank was appointed as the man to steady the ship, restore balance, and offer a new spark. For a moment, it looked as though he might achieve that. Now, months later, Tottenham appear to be slipping down a familiar path.
Frank’s early weeks were impressive, especially defensively. The brittle, chaotic backline left behind by Ange suddenly looked organised and focused. Spurs kept five clean sheets in their first seven games under the Dane, and supporters believed the worst issues had been fixed.
But as quickly as optimism arrived, it faded. One win in seven matches has undone the goodwill of the early days. The performances have been flat, the confidence drained, and the goals conceded have piled up.
A heavy defeat to Arsenal, followed by conceding five against PSG, pushed frustration to new levels. Losing 2-1 to Fulham days later only deepened the crisis. Spurs fans have seen this pattern too many times: a bright start, followed by a collapse in belief, creativity, and fight.
Inside the club, the pressure has intensified. Reports suggest that Fabio Paratici and the board are already identifying potential replacements should results fail to improve by the end of December.
Among the names being considered, one stands out above the rest Xavi Hernández. The former Barcelona player and manager is admired across Europe, and according to sources in Spain, Tottenham view him as a genuine option if they decide that Frank’s time cannot be extended.
Xavi is also on the radar of Manchester United, but Spurs believe he could be the one to lead a new era, largely because of his modern approach, his commitment to attacking football, and his trust in young talent.
For a club built around a proud academy and ambitious prospects, that philosophy is hard to ignore. The Barça legend has already been described by club president Joan Laporta as “the best manager in the world.” Whether or not everyone agrees, there is no denying the depth of his experience.
As a player, Xavi won every major trophy available: the World Cup, European Championships, LaLiga titles, and Champions League crowns. As a manager, he guided Barcelona through financial turmoil, winning the league and promoting astonishing young talents like Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, and Pau Cubarsi. Not many coaches would hand a 15-year-old boy his debut; Xavi did it because he trusted what he saw.
Arsène Wenger praised Xavi for his bravery, calling him a manager with the courage to trust young players and the clarity to build a team around them. This is precisely the type of leadership Spurs desperately need.
With rising stars like Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, Luka Vuskovic, and Luca Williams-Barnett, Tottenham require a manager who embraces youth, nurtures them, and allows them to grow in a possession-based system. That is the football identity supporters crave, and that identity has gone missing under Frank.
Despite having decent possession numbers this season, Spurs remain one of the least creative teams in the league. They sit near the bottom in shots per game and have produced no through balls at all, ranking dead last.
Their expected goals tally is alarmingly poor, reflecting a team that struggles to break down opponents or create dangerous chances. In contrast, when Xavi won LaLiga in 2022/23, Barcelona dominated possession and produced far more attempts on goal.
He may have worked with better players, but his tactical clarity and structural discipline lifted the team far beyond its flaws.
When comparing Spurs under Frank, the difference between the early matches and the recent slump is stark. The numbers tell the story plainly:
| Stat | First 7 Games | Last 7 Games |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 5 | 1 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| Defeats | 1 | 5 |
| Goals Scored | 14 | 11 |
| Goals Conceded | 3 | 15 |
Such a dramatic drop has forced Tottenham to consider whether a change is necessary before the season drifts beyond repair. Frank is a respectable figure and a likeable man, but football at this level is ruthless.
Spurs have tried every type of manager elite winners like Mourinho and Conte, project coaches like Postecoglou, and Premier League-proven options like Nuno and Frank. None have delivered consistent success. Perhaps it is time to take a different path.
Xavi represents that fresh path. He offers a clear identity, a history of trusting young players, and a pedigree shaped by legends such as Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique. With Spurs desperate for creativity, structure, and a long-term vision, the idea of speaking with Xavi grows more appealing by the day.
As Tottenham approach the end of 2025, the club stands at a crossroads once again. If Frank cannot turn the situation around quickly, Spurs may well decide that the future belongs to someone who has already proven he can shape a team with intelligence, bravery, and belief.
And if that future includes Xavi Hernández, it could mark the start of something truly transformative as the club moves toward 2026.
