Thomas Frank was unlucky but had to leave – now only a man can become Tottenham’s next manager

There were plenty of circumstances around Tottenham Hotspur that could have alleviated their dismal Premier League performance, but there was no sign that Thomas Frank would win over the supporters.

If Thomas Frank wanted confirmation that his race at Spurs was over even before the announcement was made, he had only to look at social media, where opinions are swirling that he wants the 78-year-old owner of the fancied Cheltenham Gold Cup runner to take his job.

Yes, there seems to have been serious suggestions in some quarters that Harry Redknapp should join Tottenham Hotspur for the remainder of the season once Frank’s dire situation is over. Redknapp has not coached a Premier League game in over 11 years. Redknapp has won just nine of his last 48 games as Premier League manager.

Redknapp last won a Premier League game as manager in December 2014. Redknapp’s suggestion, and even the involvement of former players, should have been a joke.

read more: Odds on next Spurs manager: Who could replace Thomas Frank?read more: Thomas Frank sacked: Tottenham release statement, reveal real reason for U-turn

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Redknapp last won a Premier League game as manager in December 2014. Redknapp’s suggestion, and even the involvement of former players, should have been a joke.

But Frank wouldn’t have laughed. The bottom line is that the Tottenham team’s domestic performance and comeback nearly necessitated the Dane’s sacking.

No Spurs manager in the history of the Premier League has averaged fewer points per game than Frank, who was in charge of more than five games (29 of 26 goals). Their form worsened further, with them missing out on a win in the Premier League in 2026 and only winning two of their last 17 games.

But while it’s been clear for some time that Frank and the Spurs fan base don’t see eye to eye, it’s also possible to point to factors beyond his control as the reason the season didn’t continue. Frank has had to deal with a spate of injuries to key players since James Maddison ruptured his ACL in a pre-season game against Newcastle United.

The cumulative number of games in which key players were absent is extraordinary. And it’s safe to say that luck didn’t always get Frank lucky.

There has been a shocking turn of events in the Premier League, but that is difficult to excuse. Four draws and four losses in eight Premier League games in 2026 tells its own story.

But look behind the score. The goals we conceded against Bournemouth and West Ham both came in the 90th minute. Spurs were dominant for the first 30 minutes of the Old Trafford defeat, but then Cristian Romero did what Cristian Romero does. After his sending off, they lost 2-0.

They were the much better side in the 2-2 draw with Burnley, but home keeper Martin Dubravka was inspired. They fought back to draw 2-2 with Manchester City, but even before that disastrous result, Frank had experienced games where his players went into self-destruction mode.

Two players were sent off in the 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool, the first of whom was sent off after just 30 minutes. Of their 11 Premier League defeats, eight have been due to strange goals. And of course, Frank guided Spurs to fourth place in the Champions League table and into the last 16.

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