Thomas Frank has said he understands why Tottenham supporters sing Mauricio Pochettino’s name during matches, describing the former manager as a “legend” for his work at the club. The admission comes as Frank’s side battle against relegation, with fans openly expressing nostalgia for Pochettino’s tenure.
Pochettino recently stated that Tottenham should be targeting Champions League and Premier League titles, a comment that contrasted sharply with Frank’s description of the club being “in transition” despite winning the Europa League last season. Frank said he has nothing but respect for Pochettino, who took Spurs to a Champions League final and came close to winning the league.
“If you are close, then you are very close to winning it,” Frank told reporters, acknowledging the fine margins of football. “Pochettino did a top job here and is a true legend, so if the fans sing his name it’s well deserved.”
Despite Tottenham slipping to within six points of the relegation zone after a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United, Frank avoided using the word “relegation” in his pre-match press conference. He repeatedly used the term “desperate” to underline the urgency of their situation.
“My main focus is on Newcastle, my main focus is to win tomorrow and perform tomorrow,” Frank said, looking ahead to Tuesday’s home match. “We need to climb the table, we need to get up there. No doubt about that.”
