We’re already a few weeks into the new year, and it seems a different soccer manager is making headlines weekly. With Enzo Maresca, Ruben Amorim, and Xabi Alonso currently jobless as we approach 2026, Thomas Frank of Tottenham Hotspur is likely to be the next to come under scrutiny. However, his situation appears to differ significantly from his unemployed peers.
“I felt supported throughout my time here. In every press conference, I mentioned I had backing and assurance,” Frank said during Monday’s press preview for the upcoming match against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League. “I had lunch with our Co-CEO Nick and our CEO Vinay, along with Sports Director Johan, so I feel secure. I understand this is all part of media attention, but my focus is solely on winning against Dortmund. I’ve repeated this often: as long as we secure victories, we have the support we need.”
Frank’s assertion holds weight; winning can often resolve many issues within sports teams. However, his challenge is that Spurs haven’t experienced much success recently. Unlike Alonso, whose team has been performing well, Frank’s squad arrived at Tuesday’s match with only two wins in their last eight games and none in the last five, including a disappointing 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened West Ham United. Reviewing results from October onward reveals an even grimmer picture: Spurs have secured just four wins in all competitions. While he has enough backing to remain in charge another day, one must wonder how long this can last.
How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Borussia Dortmund, odds
- Date: Tuesday, January 20 | Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
- Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Tottenham Hotspur +180; Draw +250; Borussia Dortmund +145
Tottenham’s current positioning in 14th place in the Premier League can’t be solely blamed on Frank; years of poor team management have left them barely capable of competing for a top-four spot. Ahead of the match, Frank will only have 11 first-team players available—largely due to injuries, with one of his few standout players, Micky van de Ven, serving a suspension. Frank is now in a similar situation to that of his predecessor, Ange Postecoglou, from a year ago.
The pressing issue for Frank is that he hasn’t improved the situation. His coaching efforts haven’t elevated Spurs beyond their previous struggles, and most metrics show minimal progress since they finished 17th last season. Although he may deserve some credit for improving their defensive organization, Spurs’ overall performance has been lackluster, characterized by several blunders. Since their downturn began in late October, they have managed to keep only four clean sheets in 18 matches.
At times, his defensive approach can be overly cautious, and the absence of midfield anchor Rodrigo Bentancur due to a long-term injury has undoubtedly hindered the team. What Frank sacrificed in this conservative strategy was a consistent attacking approach. Spurs have only registered expected goals of one or more in eight of their last 18 matches, which includes a match against Chelsea where they managed just three shots and recorded an expected goals average of 0.12. In another game against Arsenal, they again had a mere three shots equating to an exceedingly low expected goals value of 0.07. Frank’s version of Spurs lacks cohesive attacking strategies beyond set-pieces, which remain their primary source of success. Their average expected goals per game has declined from 1.5 last season to 1.2 this season, placing them 17th in the Premier League in that metric.
Despite these challenges, there remains an opportunity for Spurs and Frank to achieve something significant this season, especially in the Champions League. Heading into the match, Spurs boast an identical record to Dortmund, with three wins, two draws, and one loss, just one point shy of the top eight. However, it seems unlikely they’ll fail to progress in the competition. Dortmund is well-positioned to capitalize on any opportunities, displaying considerable strength even if they fall short of the Bundesliga title this year; Niko Kovac’s team has scored 19 goals in six Champions League matches.
In North London, Dortmund has a chance to clinch a notable victory in Europe this season, but one must question the nature of that victory. Though they suffered a heavy defeat to Manchester City, Dortmund has generally performed well in the Champions League, including a decisive 4-0 victory over Villarreal, who are currently third in La Liga.
Tuesday’s game presents an opportunity for Frank and Spurs to transform the narrative surrounding their performance. Yet, with half a season behind them and Frank failing to establish a clear direction, the likelihood of significant progress feels remote. It’s a tall order for Frank to initiate a complete overhaul to secure his position, but as he acknowledges, winning can silence critics, and that’s a standard expectation for any coach. However, given the predictability of Spurs under Frank’s leadership, one can’t help but question what the club’s management is banking on at this point.
Fan Take
This news is crucial for soccer fans as it highlights the pressure and unpredictability of managerial positions in top clubs. For Tottenham supporters, the uncertainty surrounding Frank’s future could signal a broader crisis at the club, impacting their chances in both domestic and international competitions.
