Tottenham have five-man Thomas Frank replacement list including Xabi Alonso plan

As Thomas Frank's future at Tottenham Hotspur hangs by a thread, Spurs have reportedly put together a five-person shortlist to potentially replace him

Thomas Frank will be in charge of Tottenham Hotspur against Borussia Dortmund - but there is still a reported five-person shortlist Spurs may turn to if they decide to part with him.

Frank, 52, endured a nightmare weekend which saw relegation battling West Ham United beat them 2-1 at home. As jeers and boos echoed around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the future looked bleak for the ex-Brentford manager.

It's also been stated that senior figures at Tottenham have been holding discussions about his future at the club, even though he is expected to be in the dugout when Spurs host Dortmund in the Champions League. If Frank is fired, Spurs have already earmarked five options to replace him.

According to the Times, Johnny Heitinga, the recently sacked ex-Ajax manager who is now in Frank's backroom team, could be given the reins if Frank is given his marching orders. Given the Dutchman's struggles at Ajax, this would likely only be on a temporary basis.

Among the more permanent candidates is Andoni Iraloa, but given that he is highly valued and thought of at Bournemouth, it may be difficult to sway the Spaniard in the middle of this season.

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There has also been a suggestion that Mauricio Pochettino is on the list, in what would be an extremely emotional return for the Argentine. However, this would have to wait until after the World Cup at the earliest, given he is leading the USA to their home tournament.

Recently dismissed ex-Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso is also on the shortlist and was brought up during a recent board meeting. If he had an appetite to walk into the north Londoners, he could do so, given that he is currently a free agent. However, reports claim he feels he could have more appealing offers if he waits until the summer.

Other reports also indicate that Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner could be high on Spurs' list. The Austrian recently looked set to depart Selhurst Park, after he accused the club of "abandoning" him and his players with their decision to sell Eberechi Eze in the summer and Marc Guehi in January.

Nevertheless, Palace and Glasner have reportedly made peace, and the FA Cup winner is now expected to remain in post until his contract ends at the conclusion of this season.

However, Frank is still determined that he can turn things around in north London. He was defiant in the face of questions about his future after the damaging loss to West Ham.

He said: "If you're not winning enough, we know that you're not getting enough support from the fans. But when we're winning, it will change when we start winning again, which we will do.

"Not in doubt of that. I also think 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 were not the team that was 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're closer to something very good than further away."