
Brentford manager Thomas Frank has launched a stunning critique of Tottenham Hotspur's handling of defender Djed Spence, branding aspects of his treatment during his ill-fated spell in North London as "unacceptable." The comments come as the 23-year-old's turbulent season-long loan from Spurs was officially terminated.
A Season of Instability and Wasted Potential
Spence's move to Tottenham, initially hailed as a major coup, quickly unravelled. The right-back failed to secure a consistent place under any of the three managers—Antonio Conte, Cristian Stellini, and Ryan Mason—he played for during the first half of the season, making just six appearances.
"I know Djed Spence didn't have a good time at Tottenham," Frank stated bluntly. "I think that's fair to say. I think some of the things there were, I would say, unacceptable. But that's for them to figure out."
A Failed European Experiment
Seeking a fresh start, Spence was subsequently loaned to French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais in January. However, this move also failed to reignite his career, resulting in another premature termination. His fortunes hit a new low in August when a proposed season-long loan to Championship side Leeds United collapsed at the eleventh hour due to a registration deadline issue.
This administrative failure left the player in professional limbo before he finally secured a loan move to Serie A's Genoa, managed by former Spurs boss Fabio Paratici, which has now also been cut short.
Frank Questions Tottenham's Player Management
The Brentford boss pointedly questioned how a player could struggle to find opportunities under three different managerial regimes at one club. "How can it be that he didn't play under Conte, he didn't play under the interim coach, and he didn't play under Ryan Mason? That's three coaches," Frank mused, highlighting a perplexing lack of faith in the defender from all corners of the Tottenham hierarchy.
A Glimmer of Hope at Brentford?
With the Genoa loan now terminated, Spence's immediate future appears to be back at his parent club, Tottenham, under manager Ange Postecoglou. However, Frank's public comments suggest a potential lifeline or underlying interest from the Bees, should the opportunity arise.
The saga raises serious questions about Tottenham's recruitment strategy and player development model, with a significant investment in a highly-rated English talent appearing to dissipate within a matter of months. All eyes will now be on Postecoglou to see if he can salvage Spence's Tottenham career or if a permanent exit is the next chapter in this ongoing transfer drama.