Tottenham Hotspur, a club once renowned for its turbulent nature, finds itself in a familiar state of disarray. The team, currently languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, has endured early exits from domestic cup competitions and faces an uncertain future in the Champions League.
The sacking of Ange Postecoglou, the architect of last year's Europa League triumph, was supposed to bring stability. However, the club's statement at the time, emphasizing the need for a "change of approach" to compete on multiple fronts, now haunts them as they struggle on all domestic fronts.
The absence of Postecoglou's distinctive "Angeball" style has left Tottenham's play lacking in excitement. Enter Thomas Frank, the former Brentford manager, who was brought in as the antithesis of Ange. Unfortunately for Spurs fans, they are now living out the warning Postecoglou issued during his time as the Socceroos' boss: "I'll get replaced by John the Pragmatist, and you'll all be happy."
Tottenham fans are far from happy, with boos ringing out after most games. The statistics paint a clear picture: Frank's win percentage of 38.7% across 31 matches pales in comparison to Postecoglou's 46% during his two-year tenure, during which Tottenham won 46 of 100 games.
While Frank's Tottenham concede fewer goals (1.35 per game), they also score less (1.68 per game compared to 1.83). Understandably, the Danish manager finds himself under intense scrutiny.
As Tottenham prepares to face West Ham in the early hours of Sunday morning, a loss to their relegation-bound London rivals would spark chaos. For West Ham, Nuno Espirito Santo, the man Postecoglou replaced at Nottingham Forest, is also under pressure, with his team sitting 18th and enduring a ten-game winless streak.
Times are tense at Tottenham, too. With just one win in their last seven games and an FA Cup exit at home to Aston Villa, the team's fortunes have taken a turn for the worse. But it's off the field where the biggest controversy lies: Frank was photographed drinking from an Arsenal-branded cup before last week's match at Bournemouth.
Tottenham fans were furious, sharing conspiracy theories on social media. Frank's post-match comments, denying any intentional act, did little to quell the anger. "I think we're going in the wrong direction if we need to worry about me having a cup with another club's logo," he said, adding that it was "extremely stupid" to think he would do such a thing.
The embarrassment, combined with the team's poor form and constant off-field issues, has led to another supporter protest being planned. Fans are angry about Frank's lack of an apology and his comments about not enjoying his time at Tottenham. "When you need to put in a big shift and it's tough, it's difficult to enjoy it," Frank said. "I'm not enjoying the job."
The fans' frustration is palpable, with only two home wins in the Premier League this season. The Spurs Supporters Trust has demanded action, releasing a statement expressing their dissatisfaction and organizing a fan protest. Protests have become a familiar sight during the tenure of former chairman Dan Levy.
The statement from the trust reads: "Whilst we acknowledge the changes in personnel, this has not been matched with improvements on the pitch. There appears to be a dramatic fall in ambition, as evidenced by the transfer window and Frank's comments. Supporters have suffered embarrassment and a lack of understanding from the club."
The match against West Ham has been dubbed "El Sackico" by former Tottenham player and manager Tim Sherwood. Sherwood, expressing his frustrations with the club, delivered a tactics talk reminiscent of Postecoglou's era: "Thomas needs to take the shackles off. When they get the ball, get at them. Run and take the opposition on."
The players' body language suggests they are unhappy with the style of play. Defenders Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven ignored Frank after a loss to Chelsea in November. Former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas commented on the Wildcards Podcast: "I don't think Frank will last long. Players are coming off the bench and not even looking at him. There's a clear breakdown in communication."
Injured midfielder James Maddison, an England international, praised Postecoglou's style: "We loved playing that way. It was chaotic and entertaining, but fun. We ended up with a trophy."
The respect for Postecoglou was evident during last year's Europa League celebrations and in social media posts following his dismissal. With Postecoglou currently without a job, many wonder if Tottenham will reconsider. However, Sherwood dismissed the idea: "That won't happen. They sacked a winner and believed Frank was the man to take them forward."
Frank has made a promising move by signing former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid for £34.6 million. Gallagher's arrival brings hope, but the weight of expectation rests heavily on Frank's shoulders. The divide between manager and supporters continues to widen, with Frank criticizing fans for booing goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario after an error against Fulham.
"They can't be true Tottenham fans," Frank said. "Supporting each other is crucial."
The war of words and boos continues, highlighting the complex issues facing the club. Last season, Postecoglou was blamed, but Frank's struggles prove that the problems run deeper than just the manager. Tottenham's future remains uncertain, and only time will tell if Frank can turn things around.
