Tottenham Made Carrick Approach Before His United Move, as Frank's Future Hangs in Balance

Tottenham made an approach to Michael Carrick regarding the possibility of stepping into Thomas Frank's shoes, this came before the former midfielder accepted the interim position at Manchester United, according to reports.

The north London club's 2-0 Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday—courtesy of goals from Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke, with Dortmund reduced to ten men when Daniel Svensson was dismissed on 26 minutes—may have offered Frank temporary respite from the mounting pressure surrounding his tenure.

Yet the win represents merely Tottenham's second success in their last nine outings across all competitions, with the side languishing 14th in the Premier League standings. The reprieve could prove temporary.

Fabrizio Romano outlined the severity of Frank's predicament ahead of the Dortmund clash, describing the situation at the club as "really terrible." Despite Tottenham's attempt to demonstrate backing by recruiting John Heitinga—formerly Arne Slot's assistant at Liverpool—to bolster the backroom staff, a weekend defeat has fundamentally shifted the narrative.

"The situation is very, very complicated for Thomas Frank at Tottenham, his job is at serious risk," Romano stated on his YouTube channel. "Internal talks are taking place, and it's going to be a crucial moment for the future of Thomas Frank at Tottenham."

The Italian journalist emphasised that Frank's position carries no guarantees. "The situation of Thomas Frank is in danger. He's not safe in this moment; his job at Tottenham is not safe," Romano added, noting that decisions could materialise "in the next hours and days."

According to talkSPORT's Alex Crook, Carrick emerged as a candidate to take temporary charge on an interim basis, with Tottenham likely to pursue a short-term solution should they dispense with Frank's services, rather than wait for established managers to become available during the summer window.

Former Spurs forward Gareth Bale believes the playing squad must shoulder responsibility for their struggles. Speaking on TNT Sports, Bale acknowledged that whilst managerial systems and tactics matter, the players themselves "need to take responsibility." He highlighted their particular struggles at home, where supporters' frustration has manifested in audible disapproval, noting that such pressure erodes confidence at the elite level where margins are razor-thin.