Thomas Frank was axed by Tottenham after a chaotic six weeks in which players were left baffled by his tactics and the club was plunged into a relegation battle.
A number of players felt they could no longer support him as Frank departed with the worst win rate in Spurs’ Premier League history. Tuesday’s toxic 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle United was their 11th loss of the season and left them just five points above the drop zone.
The i Paper understands a number of players felt they did not always understand what they were being asked to do and were left confused by a negative approach in what they perceived as winnable games.
Cristian Romero’s recent social media posts, which appeared to criticise the board for a lack of investment in the squad, had support from others in the dressing room, particularly as the club’s injury crisis worsened over the winter.
At least two players voiced a desire to leave in January, with Mathys Tel going public in his hope of a loan spell to gain more minutes. Frank had limited his opportunities and initially left him out of the Champions League squad altogether for the league phase and knockouts due to limits on squad size and homegrown player requirements.
Inside Spurs there was some sympathy with Frank on two counts. The board agreed with his assessment that this was always going to be a transitional season after finishing 17th last term (though Ange Postecoglou had also won the Europa League).
Injuries were also seen as a major factor in Tottenham’s plight. Frank never had a fully fit squad to choose from as he oversaw just two home league wins, with Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison missing the entire season so far and Dominic Solanke facing long spells out.
Frank had an especially strong relationship with sporting director Johan Lange, a fellow Dane. He also had regular lunches with chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, as well as Nick Beucher – a key powerbroker representing the Lewis family who own the club.
The i Paper was told contingency plans were first made after the shock defeat to West Ham on 17 January. That was the first indication that it had been accepted the appointment – made under previous chairman Daniel Levy – had not worked out, but he stayed in place to buy more time.
Levy’s exit in September further complicated matters. There has been ongoing speculation around a takeover and Levy still owns a 29.88 per cent share in the ownership group Enic.
Since Ventakesham took a more prominent role, with non-executive chairman Peter Charrington less involved in the day-to-day running, there have been a number of major changes.
Former Arsenal CEO Venkatesham plans to overhaul the wage structure to attract more high-profile players, but in keeping with the rest of the top flight Spurs had a relatively quiet January, signing just two players – Souza and Conor Gallagher – and buying no attackers, despite it being the most urgent requirement.
The threat of relegation and its financial implications after just two wins in 17 games is now very real and that is what forced a decision. Spurs had already been knocked out of both domestic cups by January, though they have enjoyed some respite in Europe.
Fans had frequently voiced their fury at Frank over his eight months in charge, goading him with chants of “sacked in the morning” again this week and singing the name of Mauricio Pochettino, one of the favourites to replace him after he leads the USA into this summer’s World Cup.
While Frank’s relationship with supporters strained by him claiming that those who booed Guglielmo Vicario for his error against Fulham were “not true Tottenham fans”, there was some understanding in the club as to why he said it. It was interpreted as him backing the goalkeeper rather than a deliberate effort to attack the fans.
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That anger came to a head – and came very close to home for the board – against West Ham, when one fan confronted senior managing director Vivienne Lewis near the hospitality section after the final whistle.
Spurs have a window to decide on their next appointment as they do not play again until they face Arsenal on 22 February. The i Paper understands there is no prospect of procuring Andoni Iraola from Bournemouth in mid-season. Ex-Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is available after leaving Marseille and former Spurs striker Robbie Keane, now managing Hungarian side Ferencvaros, has also been linked.
It took Frank’s position becoming untenable for Spurs to begin the hunt for their third manager in nine months – one who will keep them from crashing into the Championship.
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