Tottenham told to re-hire Thomas Frank in shock U-turn

They couldn’t, could they?

Arsenal hero Martin Keown has sensationally tipped Tottenham to consider re-hiring Thomas Frank in a last-ditch effort to save their season.

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Should such a scenario unfold, it would mark Frank’s second stint in charge of the north London outfit this term.

The Dane was appointed on a three-year deal last June as Ange Postecoglou’s successor despite the Australian ending the club’s 17-year major trophy drought.

However, Frank’s tenure was cut short after just eight months, with a 2-1 loss to Newcastle proving to be the final straw.

But Tottenham are once again searching for a new manager after Igor Tudor, Frank’s replacement, was axed just 43 days into his interim tenure.

Tudor’s forgettable reign spanned just seven fixtures, five of which were defeats.

It’s left Tottenham, who are 17th and one point clear of the relegation zone in the Premier League, back at square one for the second time in a matter of months.

Given Tudor didn’t take long to alienate several Tottenham players, Keown believes whoever replaces the Croatian needs to take a gentler approach towards the squad.

To be Frank

It’s why he feels Tottenham could do worse than return to a familiar face, even if Frank was a key reason behind the club being embroiled in the mess it is in now.

“I’m not sure they enjoyed it when the last manager came in, he was quite scathing of the group,” Keown said on talkSPORT’s White and Jordan.

“Maybe it’s an arm around the shoulder a little bit here? It certainly didn’t work last time.

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“Look… I know people say you should never go back, but Thomas Frank might be allowed back in the building to actually say, ‘Okay, let’s try and pick up where we left off’.

“I know that they lost a few games, but it was certainly a lot better than we saw from recent games.”

Given Keown’s historic affiliation with Tottenham’s arch rivals, perhaps his claim needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.

However, given Tottenham are due back in action on April 12 and Frank is available, perhaps there may be method, even if only a slither, to Keown’s madness.

De Zerb-ing of a chance?

Despite the idea of a sensational Frank U-turn, talkSPORT understands former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is the main man under consideration from Tottenham to replace Tudor.

De Zerbi is closing in on the job, despite having been initially reluctant to take over before the summer.

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Key to Tottenham’s offer for De Zerbi is the lure of a hefty survival bonus if he preserves the club’s Premier League status.

Should De Zerbi be appointed, Tottenham fans will need him to hit the ground running at a quicker pace than he did at Brighton.

The Italian went winless in his first five games in charge of the Seagulls as he oversaw three defeats and two draws.

With just seven league fixtures to go, De Zerbi and Tottenham can ill afford a similar run of results.