Tottenham could turn to a temporary head coach until the end of the campaign should they decide to part ways with Thomas Frank, sources have told Football Insider.
Frank’s position at Spurs is increasingly uncertain, with his future potentially hinging on this weekend’s home clash against West Ham. A defeat could prove costly, although there is an understanding within the club that dismissing the Dane is not their preferred option.
Should Frank be relieved of his duties in the coming weeks, Oliver Glasner has already been identified as a possible long-term successor. However, sources suggest Tottenham may opt for an interim appointment while waiting for the Austrian’s contract at Crystal Palace to run out.
Glasner, 51, is due to become a free agent in the summer, and it is considered highly unlikely that Spurs could lure him away from Selhurst Park before then. Competition for his signature is also expected, making any move far from straightforward for the North London side.
Football Insider previously reported that Glasner would be open to taking over at Manchester United following Ruben Amorim’s exit, with the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss strongly linked to the Old Trafford role. United, though, now appear set to install Michael Carrick as interim manager until the end of the season.
Short-term managerial solutions have become increasingly common, and Tottenham are prepared to adopt a similar approach if necessary. Celtic’s recent decision to bring back Martin O’Neill on an interim basis has been cited as another example of clubs buying time before making permanent appointments.
If Spurs do pursue Glasner, they may face stiff competition from Manchester United, who are expected to be active in the same market when searching for a permanent manager this summer. While Glasner is keen on the United job, Tottenham’s hierarchy will hope he is open to any elite Premier League opportunity, not solely Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, uncertainty over Frank’s future could also influence Spurs’ transfer strategy. Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider that the club remain unconvinced by Frank and are therefore likely to proceed cautiously in the January window.
Tottenham are close to completing the signing of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid after beating off competition from Aston Villa, but significant spending beyond that is not anticipated. Borson suggested the club will be reluctant to heavily invest in players for a manager who may not be in charge for much longer, instead saving major outlay for the summer.
Recent big-money deals for players such as Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus were also highlighted as reasons why a more restrained approach is expected in the short term.
