Man Utd and Spurs ‘Targeting the Same Manager’ as a Leading Candidate Emerges

Reports suggest that Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are both targeting the same managerial candidate.

Despite currently having managers in place, both clubs — who met in last season’s Europa League final — are believed to be assessing potential changes. Although Ruben Amorim eased some pressure with a comeback win over Crystal Palace, United continue to struggle with inconsistency and their overall style of play.

At Spurs, Thomas Frank’s early momentum has disappeared. Since replacing Ange Postecoglou in the summer, he has overseen a slide to 12th in the table after a fifth league defeat, this time against Fulham. With only one home league win all season, pressure is mounting, and odds on a replacement have shortened. The board is reportedly considering a change if performances don’t improve by the end of December.

Both clubs are said to view former Barcelona boss Xavi Hernández as the ideal figure to start a new era. Xavi, who has been out of work since leaving Barça in 2024, is open to managing in the Premier League and is admired for his long-term vision, attacking philosophy, and possession-based style. While neither club has made formal contact, he is considered a strong option if results decline further.

Xavi’s stance on Manchester United is well known. He wants a stable project where he can implement his ideas, and he is believed to favour United because of his long-standing admiration for the club. In September, Fabrizio Romano reported that Xavi would accept a United offer “immediately”, even without European football.

During his playing career, Xavi came close to joining United and once admitted they could have been “my club”. Reflecting in 2011, he said he seriously considered their offer when things were difficult at Barcelona, adding that he has always felt a strong connection to English football and to Manchester United in particular.