LONDON — Just four minutes into the second half of Tottenham Hotspur‘s 2-1 loss at home to Newcastle United, Spurs supporters began chanting the name of former manager Mauricio Pochettino. Earlier, the visiting Newcastle fans had shown unwavering support for their beleaguered manager, Eddie Howe, by singing his name right from the start.
By the end of another disappointing performance from Spurs, Thomas Frank stood on the touchline, drenched by the pouring rain, with a blank expression, facing the ultimate insult: chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” from Tottenham supporters.
How much longer can this situation last? Club executives are aware that there is no quick remedy for the issues plaguing the team. The problems have deep roots that predate the current head coach, and until now, they hesitated to dismiss a well-liked figure, understanding the importance of stability.
With Frank facing boos at both halftime and full time, the immediate discomfort is intensifying. Spurs have not won any of their last eight Premier League matches, marking their longest winless streak since October 2008.
Despite Frank guiding the team to a commendable Champions League group stage, where they secured fourth place and advanced to the round of 16, neglecting their league performance this season could lead to relegation—a reality Spurs can’t afford.
This precarious position places Frank’s role in imminent jeopardy. Out of their last 17 league games, Spurs have only claimed two victories, accumulating a mere 12 points.
During a press conference on Monday, Frank declined to comment on whether Tottenham was in a relegation battle. However, the situation is undeniable. West Ham, currently in 18th place, narrowly missed a win against Manchester United, who equalized in the dying moments of the match. Spurs are just two spots above and only five points clear of the relegation zone after Benjamin Sesko‘s goal, which came just before Frank entered the post-match press conference to address questions about his future.
Following an early FA Cup exit, Tottenham won’t play for 12 days until they welcome north London rivals and league leaders Arsenal. Speculation is rife regarding whether Frank will still be at the helm for that encounter.
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“Yeah, I’m confident I will be,” Frank responded. “I understand the question; it’s easy to point fingers at me, but the issues are not solely the head coach’s, or the ownership’s, or the directors’, or the players’, or the staff’s. It’s a collective responsibility.
“If we make the right moves, we can build something lasting. We’re not in a favorable position, and everyone knows that—directors, management, myself—along with what needs improvement. That’s exactly what we are diligently working on.
“[I’m] 1,000% certain [that I’m the right person to lead Tottenham]. I never expected to be in this situation given the injuries we are facing.”
“I know that building something takes incredible resilience, and we can only get through this together.”
This all takes place amidst a crisis for Newcastle as well, with Howe admitting to his own moments of self-reflection recently. “A little is an understatement,” he remarked thereafter.
Spurs began the match poorly, allowing Newcastle to regain their confidence. Joe Willock had a goal disallowed right before halftime by VAR for offside, yet Tottenham couldn’t go to the break even. In stoppage time, Malick Thiaw scored a goal that highlighted the home side’s lethargic performance, as Spurs neglected to close down the cross or react when goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario parried Thiaw’s initial shot. Shortly after, Archie Gray managed to score against the run of play in the 64th minute, but Newcastle responded swiftly; just four minutes later, Jacob Ramsey netted after an impressive set-up by Anthony Gordon.
Frank was tasked with addressing not only the troubling injury situation—Wilson Odobert left the match limping, adding to the injuries—but also the broader notion that changing a head coach amid difficulties is often viewed as a simple solution.
“I understand how football works, there’s no doubt about that. But studies show that changing the coach isn’t always the best solution,” Frank stated.
“I realize it’s often seen as the only option, but there are many examples proving otherwise. My focus remains on fighting and collaborating effectively with everyone involved.”
Ultimately, Howe found himself defending Frank. “They are missing an incredible number of players, which is extremely challenging. I believe he is an exceptional manager. I’ve faced him multiple times and believe he has all the qualities to succeed at this club. I hope he has the time to demonstrate that.”
Frank now faces a tense wait to see if his time at Tottenham is running out.