Tottenham are struggling to turn their fortunes around in the Premier League under Thomas Frank.
Tottenham fans were eager to see their side build on last season’s Europa League success after Ange Postecoglou was replaced by Thomas Frank last summer. The Lilywhites also backed the Danish tactician in the transfer market as they looked to take the next step and close the gap on their rivals this season. Spurs spent around £180m on new signings, bringing in the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, and Randal Kolo Muani.
However, it is fair to say that the North Londoners have severely underperformed under Frank’s guidance this season. The players have struggled to produce their best football, while performances have been inconsistent throughout the campaign. There appears to be a lack of understanding on the pitch, with the Danish tactician finding it difficult to get his instructions across to the squad. As a result, Spurs currently find themselves in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
Thomas Frank is facing the heat at Tottenham this season.
Thomas Frank is facing the heat at Tottenham this season.
The Lilywhites are yet to register a league victory in the current calendar year. Spurs have collected just two points from their last five league matches, despite facing Burnley, West Ham, Bournemouth, Brentford, and Sunderland. It is clear that Thomas Frank has run out of ideas when it comes to steadying the ship at N17 and guiding the North London club back to winning ways in domestic competitions.
Thomas Frank’s Tottenham side are not showing signs of progress in the PL
Fans are increasingly concerned that Tottenham could be dragged into a relegation battle if their poor run of form under Thomas Frank continues in the coming weeks. The Lilywhites are only eight points clear of 18th-placed West Ham, making it crucial for the Danish tactician to deliver positive results in the upcoming fixtures. To make matters worse, Spurs are set to face both Manchester clubs, Newcastle United, and Arsenal in their next four league games.
Thomas Frank has since admitted that he did not expect his side to be stranded in the bottom half of the league table at this stage of the season when he first took charge at N17. Speaking in his pre-match press conference (via Tottenham Hotspur), Frank said,
“No, I didn’t. I’m very aware, and I think I said that a few times, I’m very aware that this, you always hope for more. You’re always in football, you know, small things, you can turn and you can get a little momentum or sometimes you get more. Sometimes, for whatever reason, you don’t get the momentum. Very aware that this season is a season where we are, as always, and we should be for Tottenham, very ambitious, but it is a transitional season.”
The Spurs boss added,
“It is a transitional season where we need to be very ambitious, do as good as we can in every single competition. I definitely expected and hoped and believed that we would be higher. I also think, it’s fair to say, some of the margins that we could easily, easily like this, have had six points more, then it’s completely different talk. Unfortunately, we haven’t. It is what it is, and we need to keep going.”
Frank has claimed that his side have failed to build any real momentum in the Premier League despite their ambition throughout the campaign. The Danish tactician has reiterated that this is a transitional season for the Lilywhites as they aim to go deep in the Champions League and secure a top-half finish in the domestic league. He also pointed out that luck has not favoured Spurs on several occasions, while urging his squad to keep pushing as they attempt to turn the club’s fortunes around.
Time is up for Thomas Frank
The fans have made their feelings towards Thomas Frank abundantly clear on numerous occasions. The Danish tactician has often been met with loud boos and jeers after matches due to his perceived inability to understand the identity of the football club. The travelling Spurs supporters recently chanted “we want Frank out” during Tottenham’s Premier League clash against Burnley last weekend.
As things stand, the former Brentford boss faces an uphill battle to win over the Spurs fanbase in the coming months. There is a strong possibility that Frank could be sacked in the near future if he fails to deliver positive results in the Premier League. It remains to be seen what the club’s hierarchy decide as the Danish tactician continues his attempts to steady the ship at N17 this season.