Thomas Frank was sacked as Tottenham manager on Wednesday following a disastrous spell, with reports claiming players grew tired of his constant praise for rivals Arsenal
Archie Griggs and Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter
14:19, 11 Feb 2026
Thomas Frank reacts
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Thomas Frank has been sacked by Tottenham(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport, CameraSport via Getty Images)
Reports have suggedted that Thomas Frank's constant references to Arsenal led to frustration among Tottenham players before his dismissal.
The ex-Brentford manager was shown the door on Wednesday, mere hours after a 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle, marking the end of a disastrous tenure that saw Spurs secure only seven victories in 26 Premier League matches. Currently languishing in 16th place, the north London side are teetering on the edge of another relegation scrap, following their close shave last season when they finished 17th.
Despite their woeful domestic performance, Tottenham have managed to progress to the Champions League knockout stages, finishing fourth in the group stage. However, European success wasn't enough to save Frank from getting the sack.
After his dismissal, it came to light that some Spurs players were reportedly irked by his continuous admiration for their most bitter rivals. As per The Telegraph, the Danish coach was 'constantly going on about Arsenal', even highlighting their prowess following Tottenham's humbling 4-1 loss at the Emirates Stadium in November.
The report further suggests that several players became weary of this approach, with some expressing the sentiment of 'just shut up about Arsenal.' Some were even 'dismayed' when images surfaced of Frank holding an Arsenal coffee cup while strolling around the Vitality Stadium prior to Tottenham's defeat to Bournemouth.
He subsequently clarified that he hadn't spotted the Arsenal crest on the cup, explaining: "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. They've been in the changing room the game before us.
"It's normal to say 'give me a cup of espresso' before every game. I think it's a little bit sad in football that I need to be asked a question like that. We are definitely going in the wrong direction if we are worrying about me having a cup of another club. Of course I wouldn't do that, that would be really stupid."
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Reports suggest that humorous images portraying Frank as a devoted Arsenal supporter circulated among Tottenham's playing squad and backroom staff following that awkward incident.
Only last week, the dismissed Spurs manager acknowledged that he suspected certain players harboured doubts about his suitability for the role.
Thomas Frank is pictured holding an Arsenal coffee cup at the Vitality Stadium
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The Dane was pictured holding an Arsenal coffee cup before one Spurs game(Image: Getty)
He said: "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.
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"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."
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