If you expected to wake up this morning to news that Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank had been relieved of his duties, well, I have some bad news (or good news, depending on how you feel about the whole situation): Thomas Frank is expected to remain at Spurs… for now.
According to a report from Sky Sports, despite Spurs’ woeful run of form and the relationship between fans and the club reaching breaking point, Frank will take the reins as the Lilywhites take on Borussia Dortmund in their next Champions League Group Stage match. It’s a somewhat surprising move from the club, as it seemed after various leaks out of the club that Frank’s exit today was all but assured, but Frank has reportedly arrived at the training group this morning to take the squad through its paces as they prepare for Tuesday’s fixture:
The reason for this stay of execution appears to be simply that the board hasn’t yet made a decision, something which is equal parts infuriating and worrying: infuriating because this decision arguably could have been made weeks ago, and worrying because it seems that those running the club were completely unprepared for this scenario.
The report states that the plan was always to let Frank guide the team through what was deemed as a “transitional phase”, as the Spurs hierarchy refreshed not just the team on the pitch but much of the backroom structures and staff. Unfortunately, both performances and results have made sticking with that approach largely untenable, and the fact that these backroom discussions are seemingly only happening now seems woefully shortsighted. It gives an impression of panic amongst club leadership, and doesn’t fill one with confidence that whatever decision is made moving forward, the next managerial appointment process won’t be likened to just throwing a dart at a map of the world and picking a coach from the country on which it lands… or potentially even exactly that.
This is not really a positive pathway for Thomas Frank either. As much his time here has been a failure, expecting him to front up to the media and answer questions, many of which will be about his future while the knives are clearly out, is really quite cruel. I want him gone – but this is akin to wanting him crucified, and by all accounts Frank is a rather nice man who does not deserve this level of vitriol. By making a quick decision, Frank could have stepped out into the night, easing the endless speculation and the mountain of pressure on his head.
Instead, he will step out on Tuesday night in front of a fractious crowd that will likely be baying for blood, as he struggles to salvage some sort of legacy in what has been a disaster of a campaign – all while knowing he is likely to soon see the exit door.
