Thomas Frank has declared that the Tottenham hierarchy remain united with him amid the club’s mounting difficulties, following a damaging home defeat to West Ham. The manager’s position has come under intense scrutiny after Spurs managed only two wins in their last 13 Premier League matches, prompting a section of supporters to call for his dismissal. However, Frank remains in charge for Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Borussia Dortmund and insists he retains the backing of key boardroom figures.
Speaking on Monday, Frank revealed he had a friendly lunch with chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, sporting director Johan Lange, and Nick Beucher, a family member of the owners. “I’ve just been feeling the trust,” he said. “I had lunch with them today, so all good. We had a good conversation about life and football, the future of the club – everything normal. Of course, there’s a little bit of stormy weather out there, but I think it’s an extremely good sign because normally people run away when there’s bad news.” Frank acknowledged the external noise but stressed his sole focus is on preparing the team for the Dortmund match, despite a severe injury crisis.
The squad is decimated, with only 11 outfield players available, three of whom are not fully fit. Ben Davies is set for surgery on an ankle fracture suffered against West Ham, João Palhinha remains absent, and Xavi Simons is nursing a swollen ankle after a tackle from Jarrod Bowen. Frank questioned why Bowen’s challenge was not a red card, contrasting it with a similar incident involving Simons earlier in the season. “Because he’s so strong mentally, he will play through pain,” Frank said of Simons. The club also confirmed that Micky van de Ven is suspended, and new signing Conor Gallagher is ineligible for the Champions League.
When asked if the board had offered assurances against further defeat, Frank dismissed the notion. “It’s a nice question,” he replied. “I haven’t heard any situation like that in football where they say: ‘Hey, mate, if you win tomorrow, no problem. If you lose tomorrow, no problem.’” Despite the daunting task against a Dortmund side flying high in the Bundesliga, Frank struck a defiant tone. “If your back is against the wall, you fight – and that’s what I do,” he said, adding that fine margins had cost his team recently and that the players continue to give their all.
