Tottenham Eye Xabi Alonso As Thomas Frank’s Job Hangs By A Thread
Tottenham Hotspur supporters have entered yet another turbulent chapter in their club’s managerial saga. With Thomas Frank’s job hanging by a thread following a grim run of results. One name has repeatedly surfaced in conversations at Spurs and across European football circles: Xabi Alonso.
According to multiple sources, Tottenham have identified Alonso as a potential successor if they decide to sack Frank. Though it remains far from a done deal and the Spaniard’s future plans could see him hold out for a bigger opportunity.
Spurs’ Current Mess And Why Management Talks Are Happening
Tottenham’s season has collapsed into inconsistency, poor form, and genuinely worrying performances on multiple fronts. Their Premier League campaign currently sits in mid-table, far below expectations, and a 2-1 home defeat to West Ham United stirred fresh anger among the fanbase and pundits alike.
Pressure has mounted because Spurs came into this season with lofty goals: Champions League qualification and tangible progress under Frank. Instead, they have managed just one victory in seven Premier League games during a recent run, and have already been knocked out of the FA Cup.
Behind the scenes, boardroom circles are believed to be seriously discussing Frank’s future. While the club has publicly maintained support for the Dane, insiders report that executives have talked through a range of replacement scenarios.
Should the inevitable decision to change course be taken ahead of what remains a pivotal season? In fact, senior figures within Tottenham’s hierarchy have reportedly weighed up several names. Xabi Alonso’s name features prominently on lists of potential candidates because of his profile and track record of managerial success, even if his immediate interest remains unclear.
Who Is Xabi Alonso And Why Spurs Are Attracted
Xabi Alonso’s reputation in coaching circles has risen rapidly over the last few years. The former Spain international and Liverpool midfielder carved out an impressive managerial resume at Bayer Leverkusen.
He guided the German side to a historic unbeaten Bundesliga title and deep European runs, achievements that elevated him into the elite coaching conversation in Europe. In 2025, Real Madrid appointed Alonso as head coach in a bid to blend his modern tactical outlook with one of the world’s most star-loaded squads.
However, that relationship unraveled quickly, and Alonso was relieved of his duties after a short spell in Madrid. Players such as Vinicius Jr and Bellingham were reportedly unhappy with the Spaniard. Despite that setback, his work at Leverkusen has not been forgotten.
Tottenham’s leadership likely admires several qualities he offers: tactical acumen, a commitment to developing young players, and the prestige of someone who has worked at the highest levels.
It also helps that he is a high-profile candidate capable of exciting supporters, and the wider football world should Spurs pull off the coup. However, there’s a twist: reports now suggest Alonso himself might not be eager to take the Tottenham job right now.
According to sources cited by The Independent, the Spaniard believes he will have better options in the coming months and may wait before accepting an offer from Spurs. This effectively softens the club’s leverage if they were hoping to lure him quickly.
This hesitation could stem from a desire to manage in a less pressured environment than the current Tottenham situation offers. It could also be part of a longer-term strategy to wait for even bigger roles across Europe or in the Premier League. The Spaniard’s ambitions are widely understood to include managing at clubs with stronger infrastructure and elite competition potential.
Tottenham’s Options Beyond Alonso
Xabi Alonso is not the only coach Tottenham have considered. While his name generates the most headlines, Spurs are also exploring other managerial options. Reports suggest Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has emerged as a top managerial target.
His impressive work in the Premier League and a profile that appears more eager to embrace Spurs, challenge should the opportunity arrive. In addition to Hurzeler, the club has been linked with several high-profile figures.
Including the likes of Mauricio Pochettino, who remains popular among supporters, and other candidates with varying degrees of suitability at N17. Even managerial veterans with Premier League pedigree have been mentioned among possible successors, though nothing has yet been formally confirmed.
Complicating matters is the fact that Spurs are not just changing a coach; they are confronting a broader identity crisis. Their recruitment inconsistencies, tactical cohesion issues, and squad morale gaps are as much part of this debate as the manager himself. Some believe that appointing a big name could galvanize supporters and players alike, whereas others view it as a superficial fix unless greater structural improvements are made.
How Likely Is Xabi Alonso To Become Tottenham’s Boss?
Realistically, the odds of Alonso stepping straight into the Tottenham Hotspur job right now remain uncertain at best. On paper, his profile, experience, and rising stock in European football make him a believable candidate.
He has proven he can manage in a top league and is linked with multiple high-level opportunities, from Liverpool to potential roles elsewhere in the English top flight. That said, his stated preference to await other options suggests Spurs might need to act fast if they are serious about him. Waiting until summer or until a clearer picture emerges for other clubs could see Tottenham lose a prime target, something supporters and executives alike would find disappointing.
At the time of writing, Frank is still officially in charge and preparing his squad for an important Champions League tie. He reinforced that Tottenham’s leadership are still weighing their decisions rather than committing to an immediate overhaul. What is certain is that Tottenham are in uncharted territory.
They are trying to balance the prestige of a big name like Xabi Alonso against the realities of current performance, fan expectation, and long-term project planning. The drama around this saga is far from over, and likely to intensify as the Premier League season unfolds.
