Key Points
- Thomas Frank appointed Tottenham Hotspur head coach on 12 June 2025, succeeding Ange Postecoglou after Brentford received £10 million compensation; contract until 2028.
- Inherited Europa League winners following their May 2025 final triumph in Bilbao against Manchester United.
- First match: Lost UEFA Super Cup to PSG 4-3 on penalties after 2-2 draw on 13 August 2025, leading 2-0 until late equaliser.
- Impressive early win: 2-0 victory over Manchester City away, goals by Brennan Johnson and João Palhinha, joining elite managers like Mourinho and Conte in beating Guardiola at Etihad with two clubs.
- Home struggles: Worst Premier League home win record for any Tottenham manager, W1 D2 L4 from seven games (wins only opener vs Burnley 3-0; losses to Bournemouth 0-1, Aston Villa 1-2, Chelsea 0-1, Fulham 1-2; draws vs Wolves 1-1, Man United 2-2).
- Key draws/losses: 1-1 vs Wolves (Sept 27, 2025), Santiago Bueno goal, Palhinha stoppage-time equaliser despite Spurs dominance first half; 0-1 vs Chelsea (Nov 1), just 3 shots, 0.1 xG .
- Heavy defeats: 4-1 at Arsenal (Nov 23), Eberechi Eze scored three after rejecting Spurs; 3-0 at Nottingham Forest (Dec 14), Vicario errors .
- Recent woes: 3-2 loss at Bournemouth (Jan 7, 2026), Palhinha overhead kick but Semenyo 95th-min winner; 1-2 home vs West Ham (Jan 17, 2026), Romero equaliser but Wilson late winner, fans chant “You’re getting sacked in the morning”.
- Table position: 10th or 14th after 22 games, three wins in last 15 all comps; on for Champions League knockouts.
- Fan/club pressure: Mixed initial response; recent booing, Frank criticises fans booing Vicario post-Fulham (“unacceptable”); CEO Vinai Venkatesham open letter: team “fallen short”.
- Frank’s responses: Proud after Super Cup, “can compete with anyone”; post-Wolves happy first half but lost structure; appeals for fan support, “last supper” talks.
- Attribution: Core story by Tom Chambers and Shivam Pathak of ESPN .
Tottenham, North London (North London News) January 20, 2026 – Thomas Frank’s tenure as Tottenham Hotspur head coach teeters on the brink after a dismal home defeat to West Ham United exposed chronic issues with the team’s form, fan relations, and playing style just over seven months into his reign.
When Did Thomas Frank Take Over at Tottenham?
Thomas Frank joined Tottenham Hotspur as head coach on 12 June 2025, replacing Ange Postecoglou who departed after guiding Spurs to their first trophy in 17 years via the Europa League win but finishing 17th in the Premier League. As reported by the official Tottenham Hotspur website, Frank signed a contract until 2028, with Brentford compensated £10 million for the Dane who had transformed them from Championship to established Premier League side. His arrival followed the glory of the Europa League final triumph in Bilbao in May 2025, where Spurs beat Manchester United, though fan response was mixed given Postecoglou’s silverware success.
What Was Frank’s First Match as Spurs Boss?
Frank’s debut ended in heartbreak in the UEFA Super Cup on 13 August 2025 against Paris Saint-Germain in Udine, losing 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. As detailed by Tottenham’s official site, Spurs led 2-0 until late strikes from Kang-in Lee and Goncalo Ramos in the 94th minute forced the shoot-out, with Frank praising his side:
“For 75, 80 minutes we were close to playing the perfect match… we showed that we can compete – more than compete – against one of the best teams in the world”.
Sky Sports reported Frank vowing Spurs could “take on anyone in the world,” implementing a ’24-hour’ policy to move on quickly.
How Did Thomas Frank Start His Premier League Tenure?
An encouraging Premier League opener saw Tottenham beat Burnley 3-0 on 16 August 2025 at home, marking Frank’s only home league win to date. The real highlight came away at Manchester City, a 2-0 victory on 23 or 24 August 2025, with Brennan Johnson and João Palhinha scoring. As analysed by The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke, Frank’s high press and quick build-up were crucial, making him the third manager after Mourinho and Conte to beat Pep Guardiola at the Etihad with two clubs (previously with Brentford in 2022). Goal.com noted Tottenham as the first team to score first in five straight Etihad league visits.
Why Is Tottenham’s Home Record So Poor Under Frank?
Frank holds the worst home win percentage (14.3%) of any Tottenham Premier League manager, with W1 D2 L4 from seven games: losses to Bournemouth (0-1, Aug 30), Aston Villa (1-2, Oct 19), Chelsea (0-1, Nov 1), Fulham (1-2, Nov 29); draws vs Wolves (1-1, Sept 27), Man United (2-2, Nov 8). The Sun highlighted this dismal run, amassing just 8 goals from 67 shots. StatMuse data shows average possession 57%, but poor finishing (20% shots on target).
What Happened in the Wolves Draw?
On 27 September 2025, Tottenham drew 1-1 at home with winless Wolves, who had lost their first five league games. As reported by Tom Chambers of ESPN, Spurs dominated the first half but Santiago Bueno scored in the 54th minute, putting Vitor Pereira’s Wolves on the brink before João Palhinha’s stoppage-time finish rescued a point. Frank, per Spurs’ site, was “happy with our first half display but felt we lost our ‘structure and coolness'”.
How Did the Chelsea Defeat Unfold?
On 1 November 2025, Tottenham lost 0-1 at home to Chelsea, managing just three shots (one on target) and 0.1 xG in one of their worst attacking displays . Tom Chambers of ESPN noted Enzo Maresca’s side posted 3.68 xG, saved by Guglielmo Vicario . Frank admitted post-match:
“That hurts massively… I have never been in charge of a team that has created that little in one game” .
What Was the North London Derby Like?
Arsenal thrashed Tottenham 4-1 on 23 November 2025, with Eberechi Eze – who chose Arsenal over Spurs in summer – scoring three despite injuries . Tom Chambers of ESPN described Richarlison’s 40-yard lob as a footnote on a painful day, highlighting unfavourable comparisons to Mikel Arteta’s title challengers .
Why Did Nottingham Forest Beat Spurs?
On 14 December 2025, Nottingham Forest won 3-0 away, with Vicario at fault for Callum Hudson-Odoi’s opener and an overhit cross, plus Ibrahim Sangaré’s strike . Tom Chambers reported this lacklustre showing followed wins over Brentford and Slavia Prague, renewing scrutiny .
What Recent Losses Piled Pressure on Frank?
Tottenham lost 3-2 at Bournemouth on 7 January 2026, ending the hosts’ 11-game winless run despite Palhinha’s overhead kick; Semenyo scored in the 95th . Shivam Pathak of ESPN coined it “Dr. Tottenham” aiding rivals, worsened by Frank’s pre-match Arsenal cup photo . Then, 1-2 home loss to 19th-placed West Ham on 17 January 2026: Romero equalised but Callum Wilson won it late from a corner. Shivam Pathak noted half-time boos escalated to “You’re getting sacked in the morning” post-whistle, after CEO Vinai Venkatesham’s letter admitting the team had “fallen short” .
How Have Fans Reacted to Thomas Frank?
Fan frustration peaked with booing Vicario post-Fulham (Nov 29, 2025) and ironic cheers; Frank called it “unacceptable,” clarifying “true Tottenham fans” wouldn’t mock their own. Post-West Ham, SI.com reported consideration of sacking Frank, but he stays for Borussia Dortmund Champions League tie. Mirror’s Josh O’Brien detailed Frank’s “last supper” lunch appeal:
“I can win back the fans… the sun shining and we’re playing football,”
despite overcast skies.
What Is Frank’s Current Status at Spurs?
Spurs sit 10th-14th after 22 games, with three wins in 15 all comps; Football Insider via Sportbible says position “untenable,” replacement eyed. Frank remains defiant, as per The Athletic’s Simon Collings, turning boos to roars temporarily. Cristian Romero called for “togetherness amid ‘disaster’ Spurs run” . With Champions League progress possible, his fate hangs ahead of Dortmund.
