Have Spurs Fans Finally Given Up on Frank?

The fate of Thomas Frank appears to hinge on the decisions made by the leadership at Tottenham Hotspur, yet the sentiments of the fanbase have rendered a harsh judgment.

Despite previously facing criticism for his inability to win over Spurs supporters unimpressed with his qualifications since his arrival from Brentford, the recent backlash has reached unprecedented levels.

This time, the fury directed at Frank reached a crescendo following a dramatic 2-1 loss at home to struggling West Ham United.

As the game concluded, Frank presented a defeated figure, acknowledging the fans who had turned against him after Callum Wilson scored a last-minute winner, igniting a wave of discontent aimed squarely at him.

Even during the VAR review for offside that ultimately validated Wilson’s goal, Spurs fans were already chanting, “sacked in the morning,” a clear indication of their dissatisfaction with their own manager.

When the final whistle blew, confirming yet another setback for Frank, it became evident that the fanbase had reached a breaking point; they no longer wished for his presence at the club.

This conclusion is undeniably harsh, yet it reflects the reality of the situation. Frank seemed visibly taken aback, as the pressure surrounding his position mounts.

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney noted, “I felt for him – I have been in that position. It is a lonely position to be in. The Tottenham fans have spoken and, when that happens, it looks like he will lose his job.”

Alan Shearer, another ex-England striker, added, “There is no doubt the players are not giving enough, but I don’t see a plan or a system, and some players seem lost. With some of their summer signings, they need to contribute more. He knows the rules; if you don’t win, you will be dismissed. By the end, he looked very worn out.”

Discontent began brewing even before kickoff, as around 100 supporters participated in a protest called ‘Change For Tottenham.’ This unrest seemed to ease somewhat following the £35 million acquisition of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid and an open letter from chief executive Vinai Venkatashem, reassuring fans of the club’s ambitions.

Leading up to the match, Frank had experienced a relatively positive week, at least until the action commenced on the field. He played a significant role in securing Gallagher for Spurs and also added respected Dutch coach John Heitinga, who was part of Arne Slot’s backroom team during Liverpool’s Premier League victory last season, as his assistant.

However, an ongoing undercurrent of dissatisfaction at Spurs remains palpable, exacerbated by a dismal home league record that now stands at two wins, six losses, and three draws from eleven matches.

Crysencio Summerville’s early strike only intensified the pressure on Frank’s side. Spurs further compounded their troubles with a lack of urgency that frayed the nerves of their supporters.

Just before halftime, Pedro Porro had a throw-in deep within West Ham’s half. Despite calls for quick play, he took an agonizing thirty seconds before relinquishing possession to the opposition.

As the clock ticked down and an equalizer was essential, Spurs fans expressed their frustration as their team aimlessly passed the ball around at the back, as if they were defending a comfortable lead.

Although Cristian Romero managed to equalize, hope was fleeting as Wilson netted the winner after Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was again found wanting at a corner, his claims of being obstructed dismissed.

In contrast, West Ham celebrated wildly after breaking a ten-match winless streak that had plunged them and head coach Nuno Espirito Santo into crisis. The familiar jibe about ‘Dr. Tottenham’ remedying the woes of struggling clubs was invoked once more.

Captain Romero, who exited straight down the tunnel post-match, stated, “Tomorrow we will train in silence and work hard again. We have another significant match midweek. Right now, this feels like a disaster for us. Our performances have been inconsistent, and we need to put in the effort to improve. We are not the best team on the pitch right now.”

Frank’s statements have begun to sound repetitive, yet it’s challenging to convey anything different when the outcomes remain consistently disappointing.

On the subject of the booing, he reflected, “It’s not a pleasant experience, but I understand the frustration. Losing to a major London rival is particularly disheartening. We have been striving to secure a home win, and I hope the fans can recognize the hard work from the players. They are putting in a great effort, especially in the second half.”

When asked about his future, Frank replied, “I feel supported by everyone; we all share the goal of long-term success. We are making progress behind the scenes, but results are crucial, and we are not achieving them right now.”

Frank’s dilemma is that following losses to teams they should realistically defeat, such as West Ham, Spurs are now faced with a critical series of matches ahead.

The team is set to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League before heading to Turf Moor to take on Burnley, who will undoubtedly be motivated by West Ham’s victory and their own commendable draw against Liverpool.

Following that, Spurs will travel to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League before hosting Manchester City, and then they will visit Manchester United at Old Trafford.

This challenging schedule is followed by home games against Newcastle United and the north London derby against Arsenal on February 22.

Given the overwhelming sentiment of discontent that swept through the stadium at the conclusion of yet another defeat, it is legitimate to question whether Frank will still be at the helm to witness these fixtures.

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock remarked, “The fans have had enough. They’ve been supportive today but are calling for a change. This sentiment extends beyond the club’s hierarchy to Thomas Frank’s managerial position. Both managers faced immense pressure today, and it appears Nuno has emerged victorious in this encounter.”

The Spurs management has traditionally leaned towards supporting Frank, yet the atmosphere surrounding the team today suggested that supporters have lost all faith in him. Frank’s only remaining hope is that the decision-makers above him exhibit more patience.