A new year often brings fresh hope, and Tottenham Hotspur supporters will be desperate that this one delivers a clear change in mood and performance. Fans want to see a Spurs side that attacks with confidence, controls games at home, and makes the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a difficult place for any opponent.
While the league table does not paint a disastrous picture, the feeling around N17 remains uneasy, and much of that frustration has been directed toward Thomas Frank and the football his team has produced so far.
Tottenham are only four points behind fifth place at the halfway stage of the season, which suggests that the campaign is far from lost. On paper, that gap is manageable. However, football is not judged on numbers alone, and performances have failed to excite.
Frank himself has openly admitted that he is not enjoying his time in north London, largely due to the heavy atmosphere surrounding the club. That honesty has been refreshing to some, but it has also raised questions about whether he is the right man to carry Spurs forward.
The Tottenham board, led by ENIC and the Lewis family, are unlikely to rush into a decision. Frank was appointed as part of a long-term vision after Ange Postecoglou was dismissed at the end of last season, despite delivering a Europa League triumph.
That decision shocked many, especially as Postecoglou paid the price for a poor league finish rather than his European success. Given that context, it would be surprising to see Frank removed quickly. Still, football is ruthless, and if results and performances fail to improve, the club will be forced to consider alternatives.
The managerial market is not overflowing with obvious candidates at the moment. Several Premier League coaches have been linked, including Oliver Glasner, Marco Silva, and Andoni Iraola. All are respected, all have proven their worth, and all would come with risk.
Convincing them to leave their current projects would not be easy, and there is no guarantee they would adapt smoothly to the unique pressure that comes with managing Tottenham.
That is why the idea of a familiar face returning continues to gather momentum. Mauricio Pochettino’s name has quietly resurfaced in internal discussions, and reports suggest he is viewed as the leading option if Tottenham decide to make a change.
Currently focused on preparing the United States national team for the 2026 World Cup, Pochettino remains deeply connected to Spurs in the eyes of many supporters.
Some fans may feel uneasy about revisiting the past, especially given Pochettino’s brief spell at Chelsea. However, his understanding of Tottenham runs deep. He lived the club’s values, embraced its attacking traditions, and came closer than most to delivering major silverware.
Under his guidance, Spurs reached a Champions League final and became known for fearless, energetic football that thrilled supporters week after week.
Pochettino’s Premier League record speaks for itself. He managed hundreds of matches in England’s top flight and built teams that pressed aggressively, attacked with purpose, and developed young players into stars.
At one point, respected voices in football described him as “too good” for Tottenham, suggesting that the club failed to fully match his ambition. Today, the situation feels different. Spurs are financially stronger, more established, and openly ambitious about challenging Europe’s elite.
One of the clearest criticisms of the current setup lies in Tottenham’s attacking output. Despite talented players in the squad, the team has struggled badly to create high-quality chances.
Expected goals data highlights this issue clearly, showing Spurs among the least effective attacking sides in the league this season.
Below is a simple look at how Tottenham compare to other struggling teams in terms of attacking output:
| Team | Goals Scored | Expected Goals (xG) |
|---|---|---|
| West Ham | 21 | 20.2 |
| Tottenham | 27 | 17.8 |
| Burnley | 20 | 17.3 |
| Wolves | 11 | 17.2 |
| Sunderland | 20 | 16.3 |
This data shows that while Tottenham have scored more goals than some teams, the quality of chances they create remains worryingly low. Expected goals measure how likely a shot is to result in a goal, and Spurs ranking so poorly suggests deeper structural problems in attack.
Injuries have not helped. Key creative players such as James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are still working their way back from long-term setbacks, and their absence has been felt.
Even so, the lack of attacking fluidity goes beyond injuries. Frank’s approach, which worked brilliantly at Brentford, has not translated well to a club expected to dominate games and entertain.
If improvement does not come quickly, Tottenham may feel that change is unavoidable. In that scenario, Pochettino stands out as a natural fit. He knows the club, understands the supporters, and still has unfinished business in English football.
His hunger to win trophies, combined with a deep emotional bond with Spurs, could be exactly what Tottenham need to move forward with belief and clarity.
For now, Frank remains in charge and will be given the chance to turn things around. But patience in football is never endless. If Spurs decide they need an upgrade, the answer may already be familiar, waiting for the right moment to return home.
