The Premier League's managerial merry-go-round shows no signs of slowing down. Following Ruben Amorim's departure from Manchester United and Enzo Maresca's exit from Chelsea, attention has turned to Tottenham Hotspur and their under-fire manager Thomas Frank. The Dane finds himself in an increasingly precarious position after a dismal run of form has left Spurs languishing in 14th place.
Frank replaced Europa League-winning boss Ange Postecoglou in June 2025, tasked with bringing stability and a more pragmatic approach to north London. Seven months later, the mood around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has soured considerably. A 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth — a side that had gone ten matches without victory — has intensified calls for the 52-year-old's dismissal.
Thomas Frank sits at 8/1 to be the next Premier League manager sacked, second favourite behind Nuno Espirito Santo at West Ham. The former Brentford boss has won just 7 of 21 league matches (33%), with 3 wins from his last 13 across all competitions. Spurs are 14th with the worst home record in the top flight this calendar year. Board sources prefer an end-of-season review, but three upcoming home fixtures are "pivotal".
Frank's Record at Tottenham: The Numbers Tell the Story
When Frank arrived from Brentford, he brought a reputation for tactical discipline, overachievement on limited budgets, and developing players. His work at the Bees was genuinely impressive — transforming them from Championship hopefuls to established Premier League competitors. The question was always whether that approach would translate to a club with Tottenham's expectations.
The early signs were promising. Frank's first competitive match came in the UEFA Super Cup against PSG, where Spurs led for most of the game before losing on penalties. A 3-0 opening day victory over Burnley suggested the transition might be smoother than expected. Since then the wheels have come off spectacularly.
Spurs have won just three of their 21 home Premier League games in 2025 — a run that predates Frank but has shown no signs of improving under his stewardship. The attacking verve that defined Postecoglou's tenure has been replaced by cautious, possession-based football that has left supporters frustrated.
Comparing Frank's record to his predecessor reveals uncomfortable truths. His 1.42 points per game across all competitions is actually inferior to Postecoglou's, despite the Australian's well-documented defensive frailties. The style of play has changed, but the results haven't improved.
The Sack Race Betting Market
Understanding how bookmakers price these markets helps explain Frank's current position. The manager sack race is notoriously volatile — odds shift dramatically based on individual results.
| Manager | Club | Sack Odds | League Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuno Espirito Santo | West Ham | 5/4 | 18th |
| Thomas Frank | Tottenham | 8/1 | 14th |
| Arne Slot | Liverpool | 8/1 | 5th |
| Scott Parker | Burnley | 12/1 | 19th |
| Marco Silva | Fulham | 12/1 | 10th |
Frank's odds have shortened considerably from 20/1 earlier in the season to the current 8/1. The Bournemouth defeat, combined with the Arsenal cup fiasco — where Frank was photographed drinking from an Arsenal-branded cup before kick-off — has accelerated the pressure. While the cup incident seems trivial, it resonated with supporters who already felt their manager didn't fully grasp the club's identity.
What the Board Is Thinking
Sources close to Tottenham's hierarchy paint a nuanced picture. The board is acutely aware of the disappointing results but remains reluctant to make another mid-season change. Since the departure of long-serving chairman Daniel Levy in September, the club has operated under a new structure featuring Peter Charrington as non-executive chairman and increased involvement from the Lewis family ownership group.
Three upcoming home games have been described as "pivotal" by club insiders:
- Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round
- West Ham in the Premier League on 17 January
- Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on 20 January
Poor results in these matches could force earlier intervention despite the board's preference for an end-of-season review. There's also a financial consideration: Frank's contract runs until 2028, meaning any dismissal would trigger a compensation package estimated at around £20 million.
The club is, however, quietly compiling a shortlist of potential replacements. Roberto De Zerbi, currently managing Marseille, has emerged as a top target. The Italian impressed during his time at Brighton and brings the attacking philosophy that Spurs supporters crave. However, he's also on Manchester United's radar — see our analysis of the next permanent Manchester United manager market.
Next Tottenham Manager Odds
Should Frank depart, the betting market offers some intriguing candidates.
| Manager | Current Club | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Oliver Glasner | Crystal Palace | 4/1 |
| Jurgen Klopp | Unemployed | 6/1 |
| Roberto De Zerbi | Marseille | 12/1 |
| Marco Silva | Fulham | 12/1 |
| Enzo Maresca | Unemployed | 12/1 |
| Robbie Keane | Ferencvaros | 14/1 |
| Ruben Amorim | Unemployed | 16/1 |
Oliver Glasner leads at 4/1. The Austrian has worked wonders at Crystal Palace, building on their FA Cup success. Jurgen Klopp at 6/1 is the perennial favourite for any major vacancy, though the German has repeatedly stated he won't manage another English club. The inclusion of recently-sacked Maresca (12/1) and Amorim (16/1) says something about modern football's impatience.
Dressing Room Dynamics
Beyond results, Frank faces challenges within the squad. The sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace reportedly unsettled several players who viewed the winger as a popular figure. Club captain Cristian Romero took to social media to criticise the board following the Bournemouth defeat, a public airing of grievances that suggests all is not well behind the scenes.
Frank Survives vs Sacked
Pros
- Contract runs until 2028 — £20m compensation
- Board prefers end-of-season review
- Squad quality below required standard
- Injury crisis limiting options
- Transfer window backing suggests support
Cons
- Worse record than sacked predecessor
- No improvement in home form
- Playing style alienating supporters
- Dressing room unrest emerging
- Key fixtures could accelerate timeline
The Broader Premier League Context
Frank's situation must be viewed within the wider landscape of Premier League management. This season has already seen Chelsea sack Maresca, Manchester United dismiss Amorim, and Nottingham Forest part ways with Postecoglou just weeks after he joined them from Spurs. The average managerial tenure continues to shrink.
What makes Frank's position particularly precarious is the lack of progress. When Postecoglou was sacked, the criticism centred on defensive fragility despite entertaining football. Frank was brought in to address that imbalance, yet Spurs remain defensively suspect while losing the attacking spark that at least made them watchable.
Betting Considerations
For those considering a punt on the managerial markets, several factors warrant attention. If backing Frank to be sacked, timing matters. An FA Cup exit to Aston Villa would likely shorten those odds considerably; victories in upcoming fixtures could drift his price back toward 20/1.
The next permanent Tottenham manager market presents better value opportunities. Glasner at 4/1 looks short given Crystal Palace's reluctance to lose him. De Zerbi at 12/1 offers appeal if you believe Spurs can convince him north London represents a better project than United's chaos. Understanding proper staking strategies is essential when betting on volatile markets like managerial sackings.
The Verdict: Will Frank Survive?
Thomas Frank's position at Tottenham is undeniably precarious, but an immediate sacking appears unlikely. The board's preference for an end-of-season review, combined with the significant compensation required, suggests he'll be given until at least the end of January to turn things around.
However, the three upcoming home fixtures represent genuine make-or-break moments. An FA Cup exit to Aston Villa, combined with defeats to West Ham and Borussia Dortmund, would make his position untenable regardless of financial considerations. The mood around the club is toxic, and continued failure would force the board's hand.
For bettors, the 8/1 on Frank being next to go offers reasonable value if you believe those upcoming fixtures will go badly. The alternative — backing him to survive the season — requires faith in a turnaround that shows no signs of materialising.
