Inside Tottenham crisis that led to Thomas Frank sack with dressing room baffled | Football | Sport

Thomas Frank’s sacking from Tottenham arrived less than 24 hours after he insisted it wouldn’t, as the north London outfit opted to end his tenure prematurely. The decision was put forward to the Lewis family, the club’s owners, by chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange late on Tuesday evening, following yet another underwhelming Spurs display witnessed alongside non-executive chairman Peter Charrington. Venkatesham had attempted to afford the 52-year-old sufficient opportunity, but the results proved inadequate.

“The club has taken the decision to make a change in the men’s head coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today,” confirmed a club statement the next morning. “Thomas was appointed in June 2025, and we have been determined to give him the time and support needed to build for the future together. However, results and performances have led the board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary. In the end, Frank lost the support of both the dressing room and the supporters. He placed his trust in a small core group of senior players – many of those outside this inner circle would go days with barely any individual communication from him, leaving them baffled about their standing.

When these key figures began to lose faith in him, the Dane’s time in charge started unravelling as the atmosphere deteriorated. Appointed as a steady presence, he ultimately proved anything but. Frank had remained convinced he would survive. Rarely has someone been so certain of their position whilst facing such overwhelming opposition, but the spectre of relegation ultimately proved too much for the club to bear.

Witnessing the Dane display such determination against the odds after the final whistle was reminiscent of Jon Snow drawing his sword alone before the charging Bolton cavalry. Only hurtling towards Frank through the driving rain were the Spurs supporters, dismal results and the unavoidable – and there were no Knights of the Vale to appear over the hill during the transfer window to rescue him or following this latest setback.

Make no mistake, Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur side was dreadful and belonged exactly where they found themselves, languishing near the foot of the table. He had brought the Tottenham fanbase together, but not in the manner anyone at the club had envisaged or intended.

When the final whistle blew on Tuesday evening, the remaining Tottenham supporters in the south stand – those who hadn’t already begun their damp trek home – directed chants of ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’ towards the soaked Danish manager before launching into another passionate chorus of ‘Mauricio Pochettino, he’s magic you know.’

Historically, Tottenham had chopped and changed managers rather than showing loyalty, yet nothing about Frank’s tenure suggested he deserved to be the one finally breaking the club’s cycle of misfortune since Pochettino’s dismissal.

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Supporters were justified in questioning why the Argentine was shown the door in 2019 despite his considerable achievements and merely six months after guiding the club to a historic Champions League final, whilst the current manager enjoyed such extraordinary backing despite far less impressive credentials.

The squad appeared demoralised and seemed uncertain about their tactical instructions. Whilst the side struggled to create attacking opportunities, they were simultaneously failing defensively – the very aspect everyone anticipated the Dane would rectify.

Expectations had dropped so dramatically that merely threatening the opposition’s goal felt like progress rather than the fundamental requirement it ought to be. Spurs have netted 14 fewer Premier League goals compared to this point last season whilst also accumulating fewer points.

However, when questioned following yet another loss to an out-of-form opponent – Newcastle had secured just two victories in their previous 15 away fixtures – about whether he had consulted with the Tottenham board and if he harboured concerns about his future, Frank merely responded to TNT Sports: “I spoke to them [owners] yesterday so no.”

Pressed on whether supporters’ protests might prompt the club to reconsider, the Danish manager simply replied: “No.” During his media briefing, Frank was challenged on his certainty of remaining in post for the forthcoming north London derby in 11 days.

“Yeah, I’m convinced I will be. I understand the question and I understand it’s easy to point to me but I also think it’s never only the head coach or the ownership or the directors or the players or the staff. It’s everyone,” he responded.

“If you do something right, you build something that can last. Of course we are not in a top position now. Everyone knows, directors, ownership, myself, what position we are in, what we need to improve and what we need to do better. That is what we are working very hard on.”

Frank appeared completely assured of his continuing role as Tottenham boss, despite presiding over one of the poorest runs of form in the club’s long history. Yet he has now left the position. Spurs managed merely two wins from their last 17 Premier League encounters and displayed no coherent offensive strategy whenever they took to the field.

Whenever a Spurs player received possession on Tuesday evening, he would scan the pitch only to find no viable passing options available. The sole alternative was to move the ball sideways and backwards, as supporters chant about their side.

When football.london suggested to Frank that there remained no discernible attacking patterns within the squad seven months into his tenure, with everything dependent on securing a corner or long throw, the Dane simply responded: “The injuries, I think they need to be massively taken into consideration. I haven’t really said it too much, but everyone can see the impact of things.”

Undoubtedly, Tottenham are dealing with a substantial injury list, 11 in total, including a fresh concern regarding a knee issue for Wilson Odobert on Tuesday evening. There was also skipper Cristian Romero watching from the touchline in the drizzle, serving the opening match of his four-game suspension when Spurs require him most desperately.

Whilst mentioning the absences was acceptable, having stated just a week previously that Spurs made “good, calm” decisions in only pursuing short-term targets and not securing late loan additions in the window appeared contradictory. It’s also worth noting that when Spurs endured this identical injury crisis last season, one could observe that crucial components of the team were absent. Ben Davies and Archie Gray were deployed as the central defenders, Mathys Tel had to step in and operate as the lone centre forward, and playmakers were scarce.

Frank began the fixture against Eddie Howe’s team with £176million worth of attacking talent in his front four. Yet that quartet appeared as though they had never shared a pitch together. There were no passing combinations or recognisable patterns of play evident from training ground work from the previous seven months.

Newcastle had no natural striker leading the line yet every time they surged forward they appeared threatening, the players combining effectively with their movement and pinning Spurs back in their own territory for extended spells, earning nine corners in the first half alone.

Yet again another struggling, out-of-sorts outfit arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and were made to look anything but. If you’re seeking confidence and goals, Dr Tottenham will see you now and inject them straight into your veins.

“I think maybe there’s a theme. I think we’ve lost definitely too many games at home. There’s no doubt about that,” Frank acknowledged, regarding struggling sides ending their poor runs against Spurs.

“This is a Newcastle team, a very experienced Newcastle team. They’ve been in various situations. They also know how to get out of situations like this, or whatever the situation they were in. But again, I think they were more on top in the first half.

“We’re coming back, equalising, 1-1. At that stage it’s an open game and that’s where we need to understand, yes, we need to do everything we can to win, but we can’t concede a goal like we conceded a goal.”

Despite the injuries, the Tottenham starting line-up chosen was more than capable of defeating a struggling visiting team at home, yet they appeared to lack a clear strategy or guidance on how to achieve this.

Too often, the north London side seem like the away team when playing at home, or perhaps they are simply set up to play in that manner. Newcastle taking the lead in the first half seemed inevitable. It initially appeared to come from Joe Willock exploiting the wide-open space left for him in the centre of the pitch, only for VAR to indicate that a strand of hair on his forehead was offside.

The goal eventually arrived before half-time when Malick Thiaw’s header was deflected by Guglielmo Vicario, allowing the German to stroll through Pape Matar Sarr’s feeble marking and poke home the loose ball. The boos echoed around the stadium.

As has been the pattern this season, falling behind prompts Tottenham to finally break out of their shell with greater urgency and start creating occasional opportunities.

It speaks volumes about the current state of this football club that once again, a second-half comeback was spearheaded by a 19-year-old central midfielder operating at right-back.

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Just as he had done against Manchester City, Archie Gray volleyed the ball into the net from Sarr’s header to equalise on Tuesday night. It was another set piece, this time from Xavi Simons’ deep corner, but at least it resulted in a goal.

Gray once more demonstrated the leadership qualities that have convinced many he will eventually skipper this Tottenham team during brighter days.

Regrettably, his strike proved inconsequential as Spurs collapsed merely four minutes afterwards when Jacob Ramsey slotted home into an empty net from Anthony Gordon’s delivery. The goal stemmed from a poorly weighted Conor Gallagher pass as Spurs attempted to counter-attack.

The momentum drained from the home side. Stand-in captain Micky van de Ven had a significant opportunity in the dying moments with an effort that sailed over the bar, but that was all they could produce from that point onwards. Just two attempts on target throughout the entire evening.

The players slumped at the final whistle. Some appeared emotional, others dejected and hunched over, taking in the scene as the jeers intensified around them once more.

Tottenham are in serious trouble. They sit 16th in the Premier League standings and were a late Benjamin Sesko goal away from being three points above the relegation zone rather than five.

That’s the reality facing the north London outfit. Instead of capitalising on their first silverware in 17 years, they are hoping for other sides to secure victories against West Ham and others to stop them from staring directly into the void.

Should 17th-placed Nottingham Forest triumph at home against bottom-placed Wolves, they will match Spurs on points. Crystal Palace welcome Burnley and could distance themselves from trouble.

Leeds secured a draw with Chelsea and it appeared every team could claim victories except Spurs under Frank. The club failed to register a single Premier League win in 2026 under the Danish manager.

All the justifications previously offered for persevering with Frank were identical to those dismissed regarding Ange Postecoglou. Tottenham must demonstrate patience, consider the injury crisis, the squad will improve as players return.

Yet there was evidence of the football Tottenham were capable of producing under Postecoglou. No such proof existed under Frank, no defined style or football to excite the supporters. Spurs regressed and showed no indication of progressing again.

The senior players appeared confused with no joy visible when they took to the pitch, just a grim expression of attempting to survive. What was equally troubling is that numerous players had experienced relegation with former clubs and they might not have possessed the solutions independently to reverse that trajectory with Tottenham under Frank.

“We of course understand we’re not in a good situation, but with everything in life you need to stay calm, keep doing it and keep going,” Frank stated. But continue towards what? It reached the point where it was challenging to envisage how any managerial change could worsen Spurs’ situation and that ultimately sealed Frank’s fate.

They failed to find the net, they couldn’t prevent goals at their end and they appeared completely devoid of confidence and motivation. When questioned about his suitability for the role, Frank responded emphatically: “1000 per cent sure. I am also 1000 per cent sure that I never expected us to be in a situation like this with 11 or 12 injuries on the back end of this and what we’ve been facing, but I know when you need to build something and need to get through things, you need to show unbelievable strong resilience.

“I think it is fair to say there are a few before me up here not only for Tottenham but in many other clubs that have lost their head many times and I think you need to have a calm head, carry on, keep fighting and keep doing the right thing, make sure we stick together because we can only do this if we stick together.

“That is the board, that is the leaders, that is the players, that is the staff, that is me and that is the fans. We’ve got to get through this.”

With 11 days remaining before the north London derby and the squad granted five days’ rest, Tottenham’s leadership recognised this as the opportune moment to implement change.

The absence of any coherent strategy on the field means the club’s decision-makers must now reassess their approach behind the scenes, particularly after championing Frank as the ideal candidate who satisfied all 10 requirements for the position—claims which have yet to be substantiated by results.

Meanwhile, Michael Carrick’s caretaker tenure at Manchester United has proved remarkably effective, leading some within Tottenham’s upper echelons to wonder whether they should have pursued the former Spurs midfielder initially. Tottenham are exploring their backup options, with an interim appointment appearing the most probable solution given the scarcity of permanent candidates currently on the market.

Robbie Keane’s nascent managerial career will come under scrutiny, but would the Irishman abandon a permanent position at Ferencvaros for a temporary role at Spurs if approached?

Matt Wells would have been the perfect interim choice given his popularity amongst the squad, but he now manages Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.

Frank appointed John Heitinga as Wells’ replacement, and the seasoned Dutchman performed admirably as Ajax’s interim head coach before a considerably less impressive permanent tenure. Stuart Lewis has earned increasing recognition at Tottenham following his achievements with the Under-18s and joined Frank’s coaching team, though he would need to swiftly command the senior players’ respect if selected.

Tottenham might seek an experienced figure. Roberto De Zerbi has recently become available following his exit from Marseille, the latest twist in the volatile Italian’s career.

The former Brighton boss would presumably resist an interim role, and whilst a permanent appointment of the passionate 46 year old might spark an immediate response, it could create longer-term complications. Mauricio Pochettino’s shadow looms large over every choice Tottenham make in the coming days.

The Argentine has been vocal about his ambition to return to N17 and finish what he started, with his recent podcast appearance adding further pressure on Frank.

The Dane offered praise for his predecessor, acknowledging he deserved the supporters’ chants, though privately he must have been frustrated by the timing of such comments.

For the Tottenham board, Pochettino represents the straightforward solution, and he’s aware of this. His appointment would satisfy most supporters and finally resolve the lingering ‘what if?’ question that has haunted the club since his departure amid their declining fortunes.

However, the 53 year old won’t be free until well into the summer, contingent on USA’s World Cup campaign. With such a major tournament ahead, he cannot dedicate time to preparations for Spurs’ upcoming season.

Ryan Mason, a protege of Pochettino, could provide a logical interim arrangement, yet a third spell as caretaker manager combined with his difficult experience in his maiden managerial position at West Brom makes this option equally precarious.

This is a predicament only Tottenham can resolve. They created this situation and must now navigate their way through it.

“I understand the fans’ frustration. We are in a position we don’t want to be in and we are working very hard day and night to change,” Frank acknowledged in his final press conference as Spurs head coach.

“I also think it is a situation now the club has been in, it’s fair to say, for almost two years and at the end of last season as well clearly a pattern that we struggle to manage Europe and the Premier League.

“It’s something me, the team, the club, the players we need to learn to do even better physically and mentally to deal with that.”

Frank’s assessment was accurate. The Tottenham predicament extends beyond his tenure and predates his arrival at the club, yet there was little indication he was steering the Tottenham super tanker, as he described it, towards calmer waters.

He appeared like a captain destined to go down with his ship, which would have proved catastrophic for Tottenham.