Thomas Frank's Unlucky Exit from Tottenham Hotspur
Thomas Frank has been sacked by Tottenham Hotspur, a move that seemed inevitable given the club's dismal run of Premier League form. While there were mitigating circumstances, there was no real sign of Frank winning over the supporters, leading to his departure.
Social Media Swell for a Surprise Replacement
If Frank needed confirmation his time was up, social media provided it. A swell of opinion emerged, suggesting that Harry Redknapp, a 78-year-old owner of a fancied Cheltenham Gold Cup runner, should take over. Redknapp has not managed a Premier League game in over eleven years, winning only nine of his last 48 matches, with his last victory dating back to December 2014. These suggestions, even from some ex-players, appeared to be a joke, but Frank would not have been laughing.
The Bottom Line: Performance Demanded Change
The domestic performances and returns of Frank's Tottenham team pretty much demanded his sacking. In Premier League history, no Spurs manager with more than five games at the helm averaged fewer than Frank's 1.12 points per game, with 29 points from 26 matches. The form worsened, failing to win a Premier League game in 2026 and securing only two victories in their last 17 outings.
Mitigating Factors Beyond Frank's Control
Despite the clear disconnect with the fanbase, Frank can point to factors beyond his control. From the moment James Maddison ruptured his ACL in a pre-season game against Newcastle United, Frank dealt with a procession of injuries to key players. The cumulative number of games missed by important performers has been freakish, and fortune did not favour him.
Shocking Spells of Form and Unlucky Breaks
There have been shocking spells of Premier League form, hard to excuse. Four draws and four defeats in the eight Premier League games of 2026 tell their own story. Look behind the scores: losing goals in defeats to Bournemouth and West Ham were conceded in the 90th minute. In the loss at Old Trafford, Spurs were the better side for half an hour before Cristian Romero's dismissal led to a 2-0 defeat. In a 2-2 draw at Burnley, they were by far the better side, but home keeper Martin Dubravka was inspired. They battled back to draw 2-2 with Manchester City, and even before this dismal period, Frank experienced games with players in self-destruct mode, such as a 2-1 home loss to Liverpool with two men sent off early.
Of their eleven Premier League losses, eight have been by the odd goal. However, Frank did take Spurs to fourth in the Champions League standings and a place in the last 16, a silver lining in an otherwise troubled tenure.
