Top News

With the pressure growing on Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank, discussion has turned to who might replace the Dane in North London if his time is indeed up. One man in the mix is Xavi, who has been out of work since leaving Barcelona in 2024.

Frank only took over from Ange Postecoglou over the summer but finds himself in the firing line after a dismal league record. Saturday's defeat at home to West Ham left Spurs 14th in the Premier League table after just two wins from their last 13 matches and just two home league victories all season.

Xavi has been linked with Premier League jobs before and was one of the names floated as a potential successor to Enzo Maresca at Chelsea before the Blues opted for Liam Rosenior. While there's no guarantee he would take the Spurs job if offered, the former Spain midfielder has spoken of a desire to one day manage in England.

• Tottenham star Pape Matar Sarr taken to hospital after falling ill during AFCON final
• Tottenham draw up five-man Thomas Frank replacement wishlist including Xabi Alonso plan

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"Of course? Where, I don’t know," Xavi told The Athletic in 2025 when asked about an eventual return to the dugout.

"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 made particular reference to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as a manager trusted with a project. The Gunners boss has now passed six years in the dugout at Emirates Stadium and has seen a notable improvement after a challenging 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.

Frank may well remain in charge for Spurs' Champions League meeting with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. This is despite boos ringing out after Saturday's home defeat, which represented visitors West Ham's first league win in more than two months.

"It's tough to take, it hurts a lot," the manager told Sky Sports after that loss. "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."