Frank Stands Firm on Romero Captaincy Despite Disciplinary Woes
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank has publicly backed Cristian Romero as club captain, despite the defender receiving a straight red card in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday. This dismissal marks Romero's second red card in just ten matches, following a two-yellow sending-off in the 2-1 loss at Liverpool on December 20th. The latest incident triggers an automatic four-game ban, adding to what has been a season plagued by disciplinary issues for the Argentine centre-back.
Romero's Costly Challenge and Suspension Fallout
Referee Michael Oliver issued the red card in the 29th minute after judging Romero's stamp on Casemiro's left ankle to be a dangerous challenge. This will be Romero's fourth suspension of the current campaign. As a result, he will be unavailable until March 15th, missing crucial Premier League fixtures against Newcastle United, Arsenal, Fulham, and Crystal Palace. Since his debut for Spurs in August 2021, Romero has accumulated six red cards in all competitions, the highest tally of any player in the Premier League during that period.
Off-Field Controversies Add to Captaincy Scrutiny
Romero's leadership has also been called into question due to recent off-field comments. Following last Sunday's 2-2 draw with Manchester City, he described the Tottenham squad as "disgraceful". Earlier in January, after a 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth, he suggested the club's ownership bore greater responsibility for performances, writing in a since-deleted social media post: "They only show up when things are going well, to tell a few lies." These outbursts have fueled debate over his suitability for the captain's armband.
Frank's Unwavering Support and Team Apology
When questioned about potentially stripping Romero of the captaincy, Frank was unequivocal in his support. "No, I think it is fair to say he doesn't have any intention to get a red card after 28 minutes," stated the head coach. He dismissed concerns about Romero's decision-making, adding, "That's your perception. No there is not any regret in making him captain and also he is sorry for the incident." Frank confirmed that Romero apologised to his teammates in the dressing room immediately after the match, which he deemed sufficient for the time being.
Frank defended Romero's aggressive style of play, noting, "He is one of the most important players. If you look at how many red cards he had, it is not like that he had that many, when you play with passion and aggression." However, when informed of Romero's record as the Premier League's most red-carded player since joining Spurs, the Danish coach admitted, "Of Premier League players? I didn't know that." Romero also has eight yellow cards this season, putting him just two cautions away from a fifth suspension.
Manchester United's Resurgent Form Under Carrick
Meanwhile, interim Manchester United manager Michael Carrick expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, which secured a fourth consecutive Premier League victory. This winning streak, the club's first of such length since February 2024, was sealed by goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes. Carrick highlighted the positive atmosphere within the squad, saying, "The connection with everyone has been the most pleasing thing. Seeing the stadium in that way gives me a lot of satisfaction as much as the type of football and tactical and technical side." The result keeps Carrick's perfect managerial record intact since taking temporary charge.
