Tottenham eye manager who won the double in Portugal as potential successor once Igor Tudor’s tenure ends

Tottenham eye Sporting manager Rui Borges to succeed Thomas Frank.

Tottenham Hotspur are considering a move to appoint Sporting CP manager Rui Borges as a potential replacement for Thomas Frank, according to GiveMeSport, though the Portuguese boss remains behind Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi in the club’s pecking order.

Frank was sacked this week after just eight months in charge following a home defeat to Newcastle that left Tottenham five points above the relegation zone with just two wins from their last 17 Premier League matches. Croatian Igor Tudor has been installed as interim manager until the end of the season.

Tottenham chiefs Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange are eyeing Pochettino or De Zerbi for the permanent role in summer, but Borges represents a wildcard option should neither materialize. The 44-year-old replaced Joao Pereira at Sporting last season and guided the Lisbon side to the Portuguese title, enhancing his reputation significantly over the past 12 months. He also won the domestic double.

Sporting currently sit second in Portugal’s Primeira Liga behind FC Porto, but Borges’ tactical adaptability and man-management skills have impressed the Spurs hierarchy. His Champions League credentials were enhanced after helping Sporting qualify automatically for the last 16, including a memorable victory over European champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Borges is contracted to Sporting until 2027, with the club protecting themselves against interest from elite European clubs by inserting a €20 million (£17.3 million) release clause into his deal. The relatively modest fee could prove attractive to Tottenham if their pursuit of preferred targets fails.

However, Pochettino remains the primary target despite currently managing the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine enjoyed a successful spell at Tottenham previously and would represent a popular appointment. De Zerbi resigned from Marseille earlier this month following a 5-0 thrashing by PSG but remains highly regarded for his work at Brighton.

Tottenham bosses are keen to sound out Borges about the role as contingency planning, recognizing they cannot afford another managerial mistake. Ange Postecoglou’s 17th-place finish last season was overshadowed by winning the Europa League, but Frank has left Spurs in 15th and facing a genuine relegation battle.

Borges good enough for Premier League?

The appointment of Borges would represent a significant gamble given his limited top-level experience and lack of name recognition among supporters. GiveMeSport suggests the club cannot afford such risks given their precarious position, though his success at Sporting demonstrates clear managerial ability.

Tudor faces the immediate challenge of dragging Tottenham away from danger before summer recruitment begins. Whether Pochettino, De Zerbi, or Borges ultimately takes permanent charge depends largely on Tudor’s success in stabilizing the ship and the availability of preferred candidates when the season concludes.