A “world-class” upgrade on Frank has now emerged as a leading candidate for the Tottenham job.

It is fair to say that a section of Tottenham Hotspur supporters are unhappy with the direction the club has taken under new head coach Thomas Frank this season. The ongoing debate between style and substance continues across football fanbases worldwide, but Spurs appear to be lacking both.

After 23 Premier League matches, Tottenham sit 14th in the table, ten points behind the top four. Their style of play has also failed to impress supporters. Statistical trends underline how uninspiring Spurs have been at times under Frank, showing them to be a mid-table side offensively, with a significant proportion of their goals coming from set pieces.

Despite this, Tottenham are reportedly considering a manager whose playing style would represent a significant improvement. According to a report from Spain, former Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez is a strong contender for the Spurs role should the position become available.

The report states that the board admire Xavi’s coaching background and believe his philosophy would allow the team to control matches more effectively. His experience in European competitions and leadership qualities, developed during a world-class playing career, are also cited as key reasons for the club’s interest.

It further adds that doubts remain over Frank’s long-term future due to disappointing results and the absence of a clear on-field identity, with Xavi identified as a potential successor if a change is made.

Xavi has demonstrated success at European level, winning six trophies in two seasons with Al-Sadd before securing two trophies in three seasons with Barcelona, including the 2022/23 LaLiga title. During that campaign, Barcelona combined strong results with an attractive style of football, dominating matches and producing a high volume of goals.

Statistics from that season show Barcelona excelled in creating chances and scoring from open play, consistently threatening opponents without relying heavily on set pieces. This highlights Xavi’s ability to build teams that control games through possession and structured attacking play.

Xavi had previously outlined his footballing philosophy long before lifting the league title, and his achievements later reinforced those principles. Described as a “world-class” manager by journalist Maynard Manyowa, he would represent a major upgrade on Frank, who has yet to win a major trophy in his managerial career. Xavi’s proven track record and clearly defined playing style underline his credentials at the highest level.