Tottenham urged to sack Thomas Frank and appoint rival Big Six manager as Pochettino doubts grow
Another summer of managerial upheaval appears to be looming at Tottenham Hotspur as their campaign continues to drift off course. During a recent episode of the Inside Spurs show, discussion turned to possible successors to Thomas Frank, with an unexpected name put forward: Michael Carrick.
The former five-time Premier League winner is currently enjoying a second interim spell in charge of Manchester United, where he has made a strong impression since returning to Old Trafford. Carrick has overseen victories against title contenders Manchester City and Arsenal, with Chelsea the only side to deny him maximum points across his five matches in charge, holding United to a 1–1 draw back in November 2021.
When asked to name his preferred candidate for the Spurs job, the show’s panellist explained his reasoning carefully.
“I’m going to phrase this in a specific way,” he said. “When, not if, Manchester United move Carrick on—because Neville, Keane and others are always calling for big names like Carlo Ancelotti or Thomas Tuchel—I don’t think Spurs should be chasing that kind of appointment.”
Expanding on his thinking, he highlighted Carrick’s previous ties to Tottenham, where he made 75 appearances, suggesting his time at the club is often overlooked. He also pointed to Carrick’s early managerial record, noting positive results against the likes of Unai Emery, Thomas Tuchel and Mikel Arteta during his first interim spell, followed by further wins over Pep Guardiola and Arteta more recently, all while playing progressive, attacking football.
Carrick’s work at Middlesbrough was also referenced, with credit given for improving the side despite narrowly missing out on the play-offs in what was described as a difficult club environment.
Pochettino return doubts
If Spurs do part company with Frank, an interim appointment is expected, with a permanent manager potentially arriving ahead of the 2026/27 season. That could open the door to a return for fan favourite Mauricio Pochettino, who is understood by talkSPORT to be open to a comeback after his stint with the United States at the World Cup.
Pochettino remains hugely popular among supporters after guiding Spurs into two Premier League title races and a Champions League final. However, concerns were raised about the risks of a second spell.
“There’s a worry that if Pochettino comes back and things don’t go well, it could damage what he achieved the first time,” the panellist said. “With Carrick, you’re talking about a younger project.”
While both Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank have been viewed as ‘project managers’, it was argued that Carrick offers something different—youth, hunger, elite-level experience under Sir Alex Ferguson and strong man-management skills. His tactical acumen was also praised, with his recent performances against City and Arsenal cited as evidence of his impact, making emerging players thrive and delivering eye-catching football along the way.
