“I wouldn’t say great, but Dyche came into the job at a bad time,” Crouch told TNT Sports.
“That’s why they sacked the manager. They kept losing games. The fact that Sean Dyche was their manager is not why they’re here.
“I think it was a really happy thing to happen. If you needed a manager to get your team out of crisis, you would call on Sean Dyche. I don’t know if it had anything to do with the players. I don’t know the reason behind it. It felt completely out of the blue.”
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Highlights: Forest and Wolves stalemate in relegation battle
Video credit: TNT Sports
With Vitor Pereira reportedly set to become the club’s fourth manager this season, Forest are hovering just three points above the relegation zone, but West Ham continue to improve under Nuno.
“It’s been crazy since the season started,” Keown said.
“Nuno loses his job after three games. The next manager comes in and he’s only there for 39 days. Then we have another manager who leaves after 18 games. I think he had 18 points in 18 games. I thought it was OK to come back.”
“Okay, we lost to Leeds, we didn’t beat Wolves at home and they panicked. They’re in a lot of trouble right now. Those players, to be honest, you can’t believe the amount of managers that come through that door.”
“There’s no stability at all. You’d think they were seventh last season. They’re clearly better than where they are now. The owners have built this and now they’re looking over their shoulder at Nuno, his first manager at West Ham.[Thinking]Look, he could end up being better than us.”
Looking at the table, Crouch added: “West Ham have been improving recently. At one stage they looked dead and buried. There was a lot of uncertainty.”
“I think anyone looking over Nottingham Forest is rubbing their hands thinking the club are in turmoil. It’s almost like a self-destruct button. I wasn’t too worried about Nottingham Forest, but now West Ham look like they have the upper hand and could get past them.”
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‘Frustrating’ – Manager Dyche laments Forest’s lack of ‘defining moments’ in goalless draw with Wolves
Video credit: TNT Sports
Frank, victim of ‘massive culture problem’ at Spurs
Frank became the latest victim of Tottenham’s managerial change as the north London club underwent further changes.
Ange Postecoglou resigned in the summer after finishing 17th in the Premier League, despite winning the Europa League title and leading the club to their first trophy in 17 years.
Spurs are currently looking for their fifth permanent manager in five years, having had Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo, Antonio Conte, Postecoglou and Franck come and go.
The changes come amid the club’s dire situation, having failed to win the Premier League in 2026 and sitting just five points outside the relegation zone.
“I think the time is right, but it’s hard to say because I’ve spent a lot of time with Thomas Frank and I like him as a person and I think he’s a great manager,” Crouch said.
“It just wasn’t a good fit. Unfortunately, the fan base didn’t like him. The fans weren’t into some of the tactics. When you get into a situation like that, there’s nothing you can do. It inevitably ends.”
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Was Frank the problem? Keown says Tottenham have a ‘huge’ cultural problem
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mr Keown added: “I know Thomas Frank is one of the gentlemen who attends our games, but I think there is a huge cultural problem at that football club.”
“He tried to cover the players. He didn’t panic at any stage. I wonder if he regrets not being tougher on one or two now. But certainly those players need to take a good look at themselves.”
“They have the ability to get out of trouble, of course they do. They’re already in the last 16 of the Champions League. But if they keep losing games like that, they’ll end up losing their jobs.”
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Highlights: Newcastle end winless run with win over struggling Spurs
Video credit: TNT Sports
Brentford “Football Club Blueprint”
One club that appears to have done no wrong is Frank’s former team Brentford, who have their sights set on European qualification after an impressive campaign.
Manager Keith Andrews has found new ground this season, having been promoted from his role as set-piece coach to lead the team following Frank’s summer departure.
TNT Sports experts say other Premier League clubs could also learn from The Bees’ path to success.
“Brentford feels like a blueprint for a football club,” Crouch said.
“The recruitment of players is spot on, it’s not just the ability of the players but also the character of the players. There are no big egos.
“The people seem to be a good fit, as is the management team. It was a seamless transition (from Thomas Frank).”
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‘I like to create chaos’ – Andrews on controlled mayhem at Brentford
Video credit: TNT Sports
“There were a few raised eyebrows, but within the football club we knew it was the right thing to do and the team seems to have gone from strength to strength.”
Keown replied: “It’s not about Keith Andrews. He likes to talk about players. That’s what I like most about him.”
“It was a big ask, but they obviously saw something special in him because I think it was a big gamble.
“But it paid off. He seems like the perfect person for the players to learn from. The players are grounded and are getting stronger and stronger.”
