Tottenham Hotspur sack Thomas Frank after Newcastle defeat
Tottenham Hotspur have parted ways with Thomas Frank following Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle United, reports BritPanorama.
The Danish manager’s tenure proved disastrous, yielding just seven victories from 26 Premier League fixtures. Spurs now find themselves languishing in 16th position, facing the grim prospect of another battle against the drop after finishing 17th last campaign.
The club’s patience finally ran out following an eight-match winless streak in the league under Frank’s guidance. Despite reaching the Champions League knockout rounds after securing fourth place in their group, the former Brentford boss could not survive the mounting domestic crisis.
Reports have since emerged suggesting that Frank’s repeated references to Arsenal caused significant unrest within the dressing room. According to The Telegraph, the Danish coach was “constantly going on about Arsenal”, particularly emphasising their quality following Spurs’ humiliating 4-1 thrashing at the Emirates Stadium in November.
The fixation on the club’s fiercest adversaries appears to have undermined Frank’s standing with those he was tasked with leading. The situation deteriorated when photographs surfaced of Frank clutching a coffee cup bearing the Arsenal crest whilst walking around the Vitality Stadium before Tottenham’s loss to Bournemouth. Supporters expressed dismay at the images, though Frank maintained he had been oblivious to the logo.
“It’s fair to say that not winning every single football match, it would be absolutely stupid of me to take a cup with Arsenal on it,” he stated in his defence. He added: “I think it’s a little bit sad in football that I need to be asked a question like that.”
The incident spawned memes portraying Frank as a devoted Arsenal supporter, which reportedly circulated among Tottenham’s players and staff. Just last week, Frank acknowledged that doubts about his suitability for the role existed within his own squad.
“I am pretty sure there are also some players who don’t think I am the best bloke or whatever it is, but as long as they work hard and do everything they can on the pitch then I am happy,” he remarked. He conceded: “Is the feeling better if everyone is aligned and happy and likes each other? Probably, but it is all about the performances on the pitch.”
Those performances, however, proved woefully inadequate, with Spurs failing to claim a single league victory in their final eight matches under his stewardship. The dismissal raises questions about the direction of the club and whether the next appointment will have the support and tools necessary to turn the tide. For Tottenham supporters, the anxiety about relegation looms large, highlighting the precarious balance of expectations and outcomes in the ever-demanding world of football.
