Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank has shared his thoughts on club “legend” Mauricio Pochettino, noting the mark he left as Frank matches Pochettino’s 13-match start.
The recent 0-0 draw against Monaco in the Champions League was met with a few boos from Spurs supporters, contributing to Frank’s record of just one win in five games. Nonetheless, he has now achieved the same start as Pochettino, who famously led Tottenham to a surprising runners-up finish in the 2019 Champions League.
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Pochettino, now managing the U.S. men’s national team, secured six wins and three losses during his first 13 games in the 2014-15 season before enjoying the longest managerial tenure at Tottenham in the 21st century.
Factoring in Spurs’ UEFA Super Cup shootout loss to Paris Saint-Germain, Frank’s record mirrors Pochettino’s, with six wins and four draws, although Frank’s squad has outscored and conceded fewer goals than during Pochettino’s time.
As he looks ahead to Sunday’s match against Everton, Frank acknowledged: “While it’s just one example, it’s an important one because Pochettino is a legend here.
“What he created and achieved at this club is something I admire greatly, especially when I was offered the job. It was clear to me how unique and impressive his achievements were.
“Successful football histories often stem from clubs that maintain the same head coach or manager over a prolonged period.
“This isn’t solely about me; it also involves key personnel, like sports directors, CEOs, and assistant coaches, all of whom contribute to the necessary continuity. That’s essential. It’s my responsibility to ensure we continue to progress, even though there will be ups and downs along the way.
“I am hopeful that our trajectory improves, though there may be times when we experience setbacks. There are many components at play, but I believe we will grow stronger step by step. I’m relatively satisfied with where we are; however, I always strive for more and am aware there’s more to achieve.”
Frank’s challenges are compounded by a growing list of injuries, with key players including captain Cristian Romero (adductor) and Destiny Udogie (knee) joining notable absentees like James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Dominic Solanke on the sidelines.
The composition of Frank’s midfield has been a frequent topic of discussion, particularly regarding the roles of João Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur. Frank articulated his vision for Tottenham and emphasized the importance of physicality.
“In the Premier League, physicality is essential. Our team must meet a certain level of physicality, or we simply won’t compete,” he explained.
“If you examine the top three teams now—Liverpool, Arsenal, and [Manchester] City—they all exhibit remarkable physicality. I must develop a structure that allows us to play the most fluid football possible.”