Tottenham this morning confirmed the sacking of head coach Thomas Frank.
The move comes as no surprise with Spurs in 16th place in the Premier League table following last night’s 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle.
A club statement on X read: “The club has taken the decision to make a change in the Men’s Head Coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today.
“Thomas was appointed in June 2025, and we have been determined to give him the time and support needed to build for the future together. However, results and performances have led the board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary.
“Throughout his time at the club, Thomas has conducted himself with unwavering commitment, giving everything in his efforts to move the club forward. We would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him every success in the future.”
Tottenham sliding towards relegation zone
Tottenham’s form in recent weeks has been dire. They have failed to win any of their last eight Premier League games and have claimed just 12 points from their past 17 matches.
And with teams around the lower end of the table starting to improve, the Spurs board have decided to act with the club five points above the relegation zone.
Frank was brought to Spurs last June after the dismissal of Ange Postecoglou, despite the Australian leading them to the Europa League trophy a month earlier.
Dane Frank had impressed during his seven-year stint at Brentford, during which time he not only guided them into the Premier League but also established them in the top flight.
The move across London to Spurs was seen as a natural progression but it has not worked out and he leaves having won just 13 of 38 games in charge in all competitions.
Frank did not see Spurs sack coming
The defeat to Newcastle was the latest in a series of rudderless displays with little discernible style of play.
Despite the setback, Frank claimed afterwards to have the backing of the Tottenham board after speaking to them on Monday.
Asked if he expected to be sacked, he told TNT Sports: “I spoke to them [owners] yesterday so no. I work very hard and make sure we do everything we can to prepare a team out there that will fight.
“It’s been better, of course. It hurts massively that we couldn’t get the win today. I see a team running and fighting with everything they have.
“They give everything in a tricky and difficult situation. We have players with injuries and a suspension and then another injury after 30 minues 100% does not help. I have never complained, it is what I have available.”
Tottenham injury crisis does offer a degree of mitigation
Frank can rightly claim to have been hampered by an injury crisis that has seen several key players spend months on the sidelines.
Last night, Spurs were without Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Pedro Porro, Richarlison and Destiny Udogie. Wilson Odobert limped off after 35 minutes against Newcastle, a game captain Cristian Romero, a vocal critic of the Spurs board, missed through suspension following his brainless dismissal at Manchester United on Saturday.
What now for Tottenham?
There was no mention in the Tottenham statement regarding who will take interim charge but with no fixture until the North London derby against Arsenal on February 22 there is no immediate rush.
Enzo Maresca and Xabi Alonso are both out of work but it would be a stretch to see Spurs landing either of them. Maresca is reportedly being lined up to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City at the end of the season while Alonso’s stock remains high despite his disappointing spell at Real Madrid and will likely have better offers.
Roberto De Zerbi is a realistic candidate having left Marseille this morning. But it remains to be seen if the Spurs board, who no doubt want a period of stability, would go for the volatile Italian.
Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino will be highly fancied but it remains to be seen if he would leave his post as head coach of the United States’ men’s team four months before they co-host the World Cup with Canada and Mexico.
