Xavi’s comment speaks volumes with Thomas Frank’s Tottenham future uncertain

Thomas Frank is under mounting pressure at Tottenham after just two wins from the last 13 matches, with former Barcelona boss Xavi among potential replacements

As Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank continues to face mounting pressure, speculation has begun about who could replace the Dane in North London should his tenure come to an end. One name being mentioned is Xavi, who has been without a club since his spell as Barcelona manager came to an end in 2024.

Frank took over from Ange Postecoglou less than a year ago but now finds himself under scrutiny following a woeful league campaign. Saturday’s home defeat to West Ham left Spurs languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table, with a return of just two home league wins all season a major factor.

Xavi has previously been linked with Premier League positions and was among the candidates mentioned as a potential successor to Enzo Maresca at Chelsea before the Blues appointed Liam Rosenior. There’s no certainty he would accept the Spurs role if it were offered but the former Spain midfielder has expressed his ambition to eventually manage in England.

Xavi was asked by The Athletic in 2025 about an eventual return to the dugout. “Of course? Where, I don’t know,” he said.

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“There’s no hurry for me, but I’d like a good project. Like, ‘You have four years to work and make a project’. I’d love to work in the Premier League because I love the passion there. In Spain, it’s too much about the result.”

Xavi singled out Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta as a manager who has been entrusted with a project. Now six years into his time as the Gunners’ boss, Arteta has seen significant progress after an initially rocky start.

“Arteta with Arsenal – it’s his sixth year with Arsenal and there were seasons when it was difficult, but his club trusted the process and continued. He’s doing well. That doesn’t happen in Spain,” Xavi added.

Despite the recent home defeat and subsequent boos from the crowd, Frank may still lead Spurs into their Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. The loss marked West Ham’s first league victory in over two months.

“It’s tough to take, it hurts a lot,” the manager told Sky Sports following the defeat. “The boys put everything in, and that’s a sign of a squad that is fighting, doing everything they can to try and win. It’s fair to say if there was to be a winner in the second half then it should have been us.

“The way we came back into it, the same as at Bournemouth, both games we lost in the last minute. That makes it emotionally tough for the players, me, the club, the fans, everyone. We conceded on a deflected shot and a last-minute corner, which we should have done better with.”

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