It is never quiet at N17. If you’ve followed the latest on Tottenham Hotspurs lately, you know the vibe is, well, pretty grim. We’re only two weeks into 2026 and the club is basically in a state of "mega-multi-crisis," as some are calling it. Usually, a team that just won a European trophy—let's not forget the Europa League win under Ange Postecoglou last year—should be riding high. Instead, Spurs are sitting 14th in the Premier League.
Fourteenth.
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Thomas Frank was supposed to be the "pragmatist" to steady the ship after Angeball became too chaotic for the board’s liking. But honestly? It’s been a bit of a disaster. The win rate is hovering around 38%, and the football is, frankly, boring. With an FA Cup exit at the hands of Aston Villa fresh in the memory, the pressure on Frank is reaching a fever pitch.
The January Overhaul: Gallagher, Souza, and the Midfield Mess
Tottenham aren’t sitting on their hands, though. They’ve been forced to move fast because the squad is falling apart. The big news right now is Conor Gallagher. According to Fabrizio Romano and others, Gallagher has basically finished his medical and should be announced any second now. Spurs are paying Atletico Madrid about €40 million for him.
It’s a classic "Thomas Frank" signing—high energy, hard work, and Premier League experience. But is he the guy to fix a midfield that looks totally lost? Maybe. He’s definitely better than what’s currently available, especially with the injury list growing by the hour.
Alongside Gallagher, there’s a deal for a young Brazilian left-back named Souza from Santos. It’s a bit of a gamble, but with the way things are going, Spurs need all the help they can get. There’s also heavy talk about Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig. Spurs apparently made a big offer, but Leipzig are digging their heels in for January. It looks like that one might have to wait until the summer, which is exactly what a struggling manager doesn't want to hear.
The Injury Crisis is No Longer a Subplot
You can’t talk about the latest on Tottenham Hotspurs without mentioning the medical room. It’s a graveyard.
- Rodrigo Bentancur: This is the big one. He needs surgery on a hamstring injury from the Bournemouth game and is out for at least three months. We probably won’t see him until April.
- Richarlison: Limped off against Villa. Same old story with his hamstrings. No return date yet.
- Mohammed Kudus: He’s out until after the March international break with a quad issue.
- James Maddison: Still recovering from that ACL injury. He’s out for the season.
When you lose your creative heartbeat (Maddison) and your midfield engine (Bentancur), you’re going to struggle. It doesn't matter who the manager is. Frank has been complaining about the schedule—five games in 13 days—and you can kind of see his point. But at a club like Spurs, excuses don’t buy you much time.
Is Thomas Frank the Right Man?
The board is reportedly split. Half of them want to stick with Frank and see if the January signings can save the season. The other half? They’re looking at the empty space on the bench where Ange used to sit. Sacking a winner like Postecoglou to bring in a "stable" manager who then loses 8 out of 21 games is a tough look for Daniel Levy (who, by the way, stepped down as Chairman in September, replaced by Peter Charrington on an interim basis).
There’s even wild chatter about Xabi Alonso. Imagine that. But honestly, would Alonso even want this job right now? Spurs are winless in 2026. They’ve won three of their last 14 games. If they lose to West Ham this weekend—a West Ham team managed by Nuno Espirito Santo, of all people—it might actually be over for Frank.
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What Needs to Happen Next
If you're looking for a silver lining, there are a few things to watch for.
First, get the Conor Gallagher deal over the line and start him immediately. His "dog of war" mentality is exactly what’s missing in a midfield that currently gets bypassed like it’s not even there. Second, keep an eye on Destiny Udogie. He’s close to a return, and having a proper left-back might actually allow the team to keep the ball for more than ten seconds.
The next three games are everything. If Spurs don't pick up at least six points from West Ham and the upcoming league fixtures, the "interim manager" tag might be returning to North London sooner than anyone expected.
Actionable Insights for Spurs Fans:
- Monitor the Gallagher Registration: If he's registered by Friday, he could feature against West Ham. His presence is vital to stop the midfield bleeding.
- Watch the West Ham Match: This is a "six-pointer" for Frank's job security. A loss here likely triggers a board meeting.
- Track Udogie's Fitness: His return is the only thing that might fix the defensive structural issues currently plaguing the left side.