Five managers who could replace Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur have begun the process of searching for the club's next manager. A decision has been made to sack Thomas Frank with the club just five points above the Premier League's relegation places.

Spurs have won just twice in their last 17 league games and the threat of relegation has become genuine in North London. Prior to last season, it had been 16 years since the club last finished outside the division's top half. Now, Spurs are battling for survival.

But who could - or should - replace Frank? We've profiled five coaches who could be under consideration.

Roberto De Zerbi

The announcement of De Zerbi's exit from Marseille just hours before Frank's dismissal at Spurs has inevitably seen the Italian linked with the now-vacant role.

De Zerbi won plenty of plaudits during a previousPremier League spell at Brighton, leading the Seagulls into European competition for the first time.

His adventurous brand of football would certainly appeal to those who confirm to 'The Tottenham Way' ideologies. However, reservations remain over his ability to blend style with silverware.

Oliver Glasner

Oliver Glasner has announced he will leaveCrystal Palace when his contract expires in the summer.

The Austrian cemented his place in the club's folklore by guiding Palace to FA Cup success last season, the Eagles' first-ever major trophy.

Glasner refuses to remain rigid in his plan and has succeeded with various systems across his managerial career to date. A Europa League win at Eintracht Frankfurt showed he can cut it in continental competition.

Marco Silva

Marco Silva is exploring his options as he approaches the end of his deal atFulham. The Portuguese coach has rebuilt his reputation in West London, leading the Cottagers to Premier League promotion and, more importantly, consolidation.

After a yo-yo existence pre-Silva,Fulham have not come close to dropping back down under his management. Having solidified the Cottagers, he might want to test himself at a club with more resources.

Mauricio Pochettino

The romantic option, Mauricio Pochettino was much loved during his first Tottenham tenure. Under the Argentine, Spurs emerged as genuine challengers to England's elite and secured runners-up finishes in thePremier League and Champions League.

After spells at PSG and Chelsea, Pochettino is now in charge of the United States national team and will lead the co-host's challenge at this summer's World Cup. His contract expires after the tournament, when a return to club football could appeal.

He has regularly spoken of his desire to see Spurs succeed, including recently on theHigh Performance Podcast, where he said he believes Spurs should be challenging for the game's biggest trophies.

“To win a Europa League, that the team won, is good, but it’s not enough. It is not enough to challenge for the Carabao Cup, or the FA Cup, or the Europa League, or the Conference [League],” Pochettino said.

“It’s a club that should be, or needs to be because the fans, what they expect is, to be in the Champions League, fighting for the Champions League, trying to believe that you can win the Champions League and also fighting for thePremier League and believing that you can win the Premier League.”

Robbie Keane

A left field option but a candidate who would certainly have popularity on his side. Robbie Keane scored 122 goals across two spells at Tottenham and was named as the club's Player of the Year on three occasions.

The Irishman has taken an unconventional route in management, winning league titles in Israel and Hungary during stints in charge of Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ferencváros.

Having impressed away from the pressures of English football, Keane was linked with another of his former clubs, Wolves, earlier in the campaign.

“I can’t help being linked to places,” he said at the time.

“If people are mentioning your name, you are obviously doing something right, you are doing a half-decent job where you are.”