Xabi Alonso stance on taking Tottenham job revealed

Published 2 hours ago
Source: metro.co.uk
OVIEDO, SPAIN - AUGUST 24: Xabi Alonso, head coach of Real Madrid looks on prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Oviedo and Real Madrid CF at Carlos Tartiere on August 24, 2025 in Oviedo, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) Xabi Alonso has left his position as Real Madrid manager.
Xabi Alonso is on Tottenham’s shortlist of candidates to replace Thomas Frank (Getty)

Xabi Alonso would turn down an approach from Tottenham if Thomas Frank is sacked, according to reports.

Frank’s future was placed in further doubt on Saturday after Spurs were beaten 2-1 at home by West Ham.

Spurs have registered just one win in their last seven Premier League matches, while they crashed out of the FA Cup last weekend following a 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa.

The Independent reports that Spurs are now seriously considering Frank’s position and the club’s hierarchy are ‘debating’ whether to keep the 52-year-old in place for the team’s Champions League game at home to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

The report adds that the prospect of appointing Alonso has been discussed by Tottenham’s board, however, the 44-year-old ‘feels he will have better options over the coming months’.

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Alonso, who has also been linked as a potential replacement for Arne Slot at Liverpool, was sacked by Real Madrid on Monday just seven months after joining the Spanish club.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank gestures on the touchline during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday January 17, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: John Walton/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Thomas Frank’s future is in doubt after Spurs’ 2-1 defeat to West Ham (PA Wire)

Spurs supporters sang, ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’, towards Frank during the defeat to West Ham which has left the team 14th in the Premier League.

‘Of course, I’ve probably had better times, it’s probably not the best time of course,’ Frank said after the game when asked about the reaction from Spurs fans.

‘But I understand, I’m the man in charge. So the blame will go to me. That’s fair, no problem in that sense.

‘As long as they are backing the players, doing everything they can, to support them and drive them forward, that’s what we do, and we will keep going forward.

Next Tottenham manager odds

STRASBOURG, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 27: Oliver Glasner, Manager of Crystal Palace, looks on prior to the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace and Crystal Palace FC at Stade de la Meinau on November 27, 2025 in Strasbourg, France. (Photo by Simon Hofmann - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Oliver Glasner is the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Thomas Frank at Tottenham (Getty)

Oliver Glasner 2/1

Mauricio Pochettino 4/1

Xabi Alonso 4/1

Marco Silva 6/1

Enzo Maresca 8/1

Ruben Amorim 10/1

Jurgen Klopp 12/1

Robert De Zerbi 12/1 

Xavi Hernandez 14/1

‘If you’re not winning enough, we know you will not get enough support from the fans. But when we’re winning, it will change, when we start winning again. Which we will do. I’m not in doubt of that.

‘I think also you can look a little bit at the performances. Let’s say the Bournemouth and the Villa and this game here, if the players stop running, or stop doing anything, or not working hard, and we are not the team that’s closest to winning, then you can say okay but I think the team is working very hard. And I still think, and I know it sounds a little bit crazy, that we are close to something very good, than further away.

‘I think you all saw the game today, we could easily have won this 2-1. I think it’s no excuses. But also the reason we’re a little bit down to the bare bones with players. And we also need some of the offensive players to score a goal or two.

‘All that is difficult for me to do like that and click with a finger. But I can promise that I’m sitting here, giving everything, every single day. I feel the trust from everyone and there’s only one way, we need to keep going.’

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