Thomas Frank (left), Mauricio Pochettino (centre) and Oliver Glasner are all considered to be in contention to be the next Tottenham boss. Brentford boss Thomas Frank has emerged as Tottenham's leading candidate to replace Ange Postecoglou as manager. Multiple sources have told BBC Sport that Spurs are strongly interested in Frank and that initial work has been already been undertaken to enquire about the Brentford coach's availability. Frank has a good relationship with Spurs technical director and fellow Dane Johan Lange, which could be a deciding factor when club chairman Daniel Levy comes to decide who he appoints. But the likes of Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola, Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner and Fulham's Marco Silva are among others understood to be in the frame. And Tottenham have even given consideration to reappointing former manager Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently in charge of the United States. Postecoglou paid the price for an unacceptable Premier League season that saw Spurs finish just one place above the relegation zone. And their Europa League triumph was not enough to save the Australian from what had seemed inevitable for weeks. The 59-year-old was appointed boss in June 2023, becoming Spurs' fourth permanent manager since Pochettino led them to the Champions League final in 2018-19, following Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte. Leading contender Frank, 51, has been in charge of Brentford for more than six years, and what a job he has done. He took them into the Premier League, winning the Championship play-off final at Wembley in 2021, and has established the Bees as a top-flight club. Brentford finished 10th in the Premier League this season, seven places and 18 points above Spurs, so would he be tempted? In January, he told Football Focus that managing Brentford was the "perfect job" - but also accepted he would not be at the club forever. "There's much more pressure at Tottenham than there is at Brentford, because of the expectation - and the manager has to handle that expectation," Chris Sutton, a Premier League winner with Blackburn Rovers in 1994-95, told BBC Sport. So what would Spurs look like under Frank if he were to take the role? "It's a surprisingly difficult question to answer because he's a really flexible manager," said football tactics writer Alex Keble. "He will automatically adapt his tactics to whoever the opposition is, a bit like Unai Emery at Aston Villa. "In many ways he's the opposite of Ange Postecoglou, who is famously wedded to one idea." Iraola was arguably the Premier League's manager of the season, so tempting the 42-year-old Spaniard to north London could be a tough ask - he may feel he has unfinished business at Bournemouth. They finished ninth in the Premier League, just missing out on qualifying for European football. His high-energy pressing style has seen Bournemouth earn rave reviews from pundits and opposition players - and would not be too far away from the intended style of Postecoglou at Spurs. His managerial career started in Cyprus at AEK Larnaca but he was sacked within six months after going nearly eight weeks without a win. His second role was at Spanish second-tier side Mirandes, who he guided to the Spanish Cup semi-finals for the second time in their history, but he left when his contract expired. He moved to fellow second division side Rayo Vallecano and led them to the last four of the cup as well, before securing promotion to La Liga via the play-offs. He was approached by Leeds in February 2023 but was denied permission to speak to them and then left that summer to join Bournemouth. Glasner's name is in the frame after he secured a stunning FA Cup final win against Manchester City and took Crystal Palace into Europe. The Austrian led Palace to 10th last season after replacing Roy Hodgson as manager in February 2024 and, after a slow start, replicated that fine form this campaign. The 50-year-old's current deal expires in 2026 and last month Eagles chairman Steve Parish poured cold water on any Tottenham links - insisting Glasner would still be manager of Crystal Palace next season. In 2022, Glasner guided Eintracht Frankfurt to the Europa League in his first season in charge. Silva's two and a half years at Fulham have seen him rebuild a reputation that suffered a blow when he was dismissed by Everton after 18 months in charge back in 2019. After spending almost two years out of the game, since taking over in west London he has re-established Fulham as a Premier League force, finishing 10th in 2022-23, 13th last season and 11th this campaign. The Portuguese started his managerial career in charge of Estoril, guiding them into the Portuguese top flight and the Europa League. In his single season at Sporting he won the Portuguese Cup, and in his year at Olympiakos, who he also managed in the Champions League, he took them to the Greek League title. He spent four months at Hull in 2017 but left after they were relegated from the Premier League, before joining Watford and taking the team into the top four during his first few months in charge. But he was dismissed after a dismal run that saw them win just one of his last 11 Premier League games. Former Brighton boss De Zerbi built a strong reputation during his time in the Premier League. The 45-year-old has just led Marseille to second in Ligue 1 behind champions Paris St-Germain and can look forward to Champions League football next campaign. But, with Spurs now also in the Champions League, could he be tempted by a return to England's top flight? The return of Pochettino is a reunion many Tottenham fans would be dreaming of. But, on the face of it, it seems unlikely. The Argentine remains a hero among some of the regulars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Joining in 2014, he led the team to second and third in the Premier League, and a Champions League final. And he had sections of his former club's fanbase giddy with excitement in March after he declared his desire to one day return to Tottenham. The United States boss is under pressure in his current role but the country's soccer federation would be owed what has been described by a well-placed source as"one of the biggest financial compensation feesin football history" if Pochettino was to leave for Spurs - or any other team for that matter - before the next World Cup. And, despite the 53-year-old's affinity for Spurs, he also retains a genuine desire to lead the States at the next World Cup. Terzic took Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final last season, which his side lost to Real Madrid at Wembley. The German left Dortmund shortly afterwards, having asked the club to terminate his contract. The 42-year-old has never managed in the Premier League, although he spent just over two years at West Ham between August 2015 and November 2017 as assistant to Slaven Bilic, and has recently been reported as being interested in a move to England. Italian Farioli, 36, gained a lot of plaudits during his season in charge of Ajax, despite stepping down at the end of the campaign after a dramatic late collapse saw his side miss out on the Dutch title. Never before had a side failed to win the league when leading by nine points with five matches to play. PSV overtook them at the top with one fixture remaining after Ajax lost twice and drew twice in four games. McKenna has done a remarkable job in his first managerial role at Ipswich Town, leading them from League One to the Premier League in just two and a half years in charge, albeit they lasted just one season in the top flight. An expansive brand of football saw them gain promotion with successive second-place finishes, scoring 101 goals in League One and 92 in the Championship. That means it is no surprise the 38-year-old from Northern Ireland is considered one of the top managerial prospects around. He was linked with the jobs at Brighton, Manchester United and Chelsea last summer, having spent just £4m last campaign to guide his side into the Premier League. However, he signed a four-year deal at the Tractor Boys in May 2024 and would be expensive to prise away from Ipswich. He also recently stated he intends to remain at Ipswich, despite their Premier League relegation. Former England boss Southgate has been resting since stepping down following the Euro 2024 final, which the Three Lions lost to Spain. His England side also reached the final of the Euros three years earlier, losing to Italy on penalties. The 54-year-old had eight years in charge of England and was knighted in the 2025 New Year Honours. However, he has only had one job in club management, a three-year spell in charge of Middlesbrough, which included a Premier League relegation in 2008-09, and has given no indication of a burning desire to be back in work. The former Spain midfielder has been out of work since being sacked by Barcelona at the end of last season. The 45-year-old, who guided Barca to the La Liga title in 2023, has recently said he is looking for a return to football. But, whether he would be tempted by a move to Spurs remains to be seen.
Frank emerges as leading candidate - but who else in Tottenham frame?
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Thomas Frank Leads Contenders for Tottenham Manager Position Following Postecoglou Departure"
Bbc News
7.7
TruthLens AI Summary
Thomas Frank has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Ange Postecoglou as the manager of Tottenham Hotspur. According to multiple sources, Tottenham is keen on securing Frank's services, given his successful tenure at Brentford, where he has been in charge for over six years. During his time at Brentford, he notably led the club to promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-off final in 2021 and has established the Bees as a competitive team in the top flight, finishing 10th this season. His strong connection with Spurs' technical director Johan Lange, who is also Danish, might be a pivotal factor in Tottenham's decision-making process. However, other potential candidates for the managerial position include Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth, Oliver Glasner of Crystal Palace, and Marco Silva of Fulham. The club has even contemplated the possibility of reappointing former manager Mauricio Pochettino, who has a storied history with Tottenham but is currently managing the U.S. national team.
The managerial landscape is competitive, with Frank's flexible tactical approach being contrasted with that of Postecoglou, who adhered to a more rigid style. Iraola, who has received accolades for his high-energy pressing game at Bournemouth, could be challenging to lure away, especially after his success in the Premier League. Glasner, fresh off an FA Cup victory with Palace, is seen as a strong candidate as well, although his current contract runs until 2026. Silva’s recent resurgence at Fulham has also made him a name to consider. Other candidates include Edin Terzic, who recently led Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final, and Kieran McKenna, who has made a name for himself at Ipswich Town. Despite the strong pull of the Premier League job, many of these candidates have commitments that may complicate a potential move, making the search for the next Tottenham manager a complex and multifaceted endeavor.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article focuses on the potential candidates to replace Ange Postecoglou as Tottenham Hotspur's manager, highlighting Thomas Frank as the leading choice. It discusses various other candidates, including Mauricio Pochettino and Oliver Glasner, while providing context about Postecoglou's departure and the challenges Tottenham has faced.
Intent Behind the Article
This news piece aims to inform fans and stakeholders about the managerial situation at Tottenham, particularly regarding Thomas Frank's candidacy. By emphasizing Frank's relationship with the club's technical director and the challenges faced by the team, the article seeks to engage the audience's interest in the club's direction, potentially fostering hope or concern about who will take over the managerial role.
Public Perception and Narrative
The narrative may foster a perception that Tottenham is in a state of transition and is actively seeking a capable leader to steer the club back to success. The inclusion of multiple candidates, especially Frank and Pochettino, evokes a sense of nostalgia and excitement among fans, suggesting a mix of continuity and change.
Potential Omissions
The article may downplay the potential challenges Frank could face if appointed, such as the increased pressure at Tottenham compared to Brentford. By not extensively discussing these challenges, the article could be seen as presenting an overly optimistic view of the situation.
Manipulative Element Assessment
The article does exhibit a degree of manipulation by selectively highlighting Frank's qualifications and connections while underrepresenting potential pitfalls. The language used is largely neutral, focusing on facts about the candidates and their backgrounds, but it does imply a sense of inevitability regarding Frank's appointment.
Credibility of Information
The information appears to be credible, based on multiple sources cited as being reliable, such as BBC Sport. However, the reliance on unnamed sources may raise questions about the overall transparency and reliability of the claims.
Connection to Other News
There may be a broader narrative in sports news regarding managerial changes in high-profile clubs, particularly in the Premier League. This article fits within that context, as it highlights the instability and the constant search for effective leadership in major football clubs.
Impact on Various Sectors
The announcement of a new manager can significantly influence the club's performance, fan morale, and even financial aspects like ticket sales and merchandise. A well-received appointment could lead to increased support and revenues, while a controversial choice might lead to discontent among fans.
Target Audience
The article primarily targets football fans, especially Tottenham supporters, as well as sports analysts and commentators interested in managerial movements within the Premier League.
Market Effects
The news could affect Tottenham's stock if they are publicly traded, as managerial changes often correlate with shifts in team performance. Investors may closely monitor how the appointment of a new manager influences the club's competitive standing.
Global Dynamics
While this news item mainly pertains to club-level football, it reflects broader trends in sports management and leadership. The timing aligns with ongoing discussions about managerial stability in European football.
AI Involvement
It's plausible that AI tools were used in drafting the article, particularly in data aggregation and structuring. Certain phrasing or stylistic choices may indicate algorithmic influence, aiming to create a streamlined narrative that appeals to readers.
Conclusion
The article serves to inform and engage the audience while potentially steering perceptions about the candidates for the managerial role at Tottenham. The language is mostly factual, but there are subtle manipulative elements aimed at shaping public opinion.