Spurs sack Frank after miserable eight-month reign
Tottenham Hotspur have dismissed head coach Thomas Frank after less than eight months at the helm, following a disappointing 2-1 home loss to Newcastle on Tuesday that positioned them just five points clear of the Premier League relegation places.
The north London club sit 16th in the standings and have failed to secure a victory in their last eight Premier League fixtures, marking their poorest streak since October 2008.
Spurs have managed only two triumphs in their previous 17 league encounters and have amassed a mere 12 points during that period.
Frank, aged 52, took over from Ange Postecoglou, who was removed in June, shortly after guiding Spurs to success in the Europa League final, just over two weeks prior.
Upon announcing the Dane's arrival on a three-year contract, the club praised the ex-Brentford manager as one of the most forward-thinking and creative head coaches in football.
However, a Tottenham announcement released on Wednesday stated: The club has decided to alter the men's head coach role, and Thomas Frank will depart immediately.
Thomas joined in June 2025, and we committed to providing him with the necessary time and backing to develop a long-term vision collaboratively.
That said, recent outcomes and displays have prompted the board to determine that a shift now, midway through the campaign, is essential.
The release also expressed gratitude for Frank's steadfast dedication and extended best wishes for his forthcoming endeavours.
Under Frank's guidance, Spurs earned direct entry to the Champions League knockout phase by placing fourth in their group.
Yet, this achievement was overshadowed by a league tally of seven victories, eight stalemates, and 11 losses this term, alongside early exits from both cup tournaments in England.
Even after the Newcastle setback, where discontented supporters demanded his removal the next day, Frank expressed assurance of continuing following discussions with the club's leadership on Monday.
We recognise our suboptimal standing and must exert every effort to climb out of it, Frank remarked post-match on Tuesday, noting a 12-day break before their upcoming north London derby against table-topping Arsenal at home on February 22.
I appreciate the supporters' irritation, and the simplest response is to target me, which is inherent to the role, regrettably.
He continued: I shall labour tirelessly to reverse our fortunes, though it extends beyond a single individual. Undoubtedly, enhancements are required, and I must contribute to them.
Dour game plan
Frank oversaw Brentford for seven years, steering them from the Championship into the Premier League in 2021 and maintaining their status in the elite division with limited funds.
Spurs ended the prior campaign in 17th, yet earned Champions League qualification via a Europa League final win over Manchester United in Bilbao, their first significant silverware in 17 years.
While Postecoglou's tenure brought league woes, his offensive approach at least offered some spectacle to enduring fans, unlike Frank's gloomy, cautious strategy.
Earlier this month, Frank acknowledged sharing fans' discontent but highlighted challenges from injuries to key attacking talents such as James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Mohammed Kudus.
As part of the Premier League's elite group, Tottenham have not claimed the English crown since their 1960/61 First Division success, when they also achieved the Double with the FA Cup.
Frank becomes the seventh coach to exit a Premier League team this season.