Tottenham Hotspur have sacked head coach Thomas Frank, ending his eight-month reign after a 16th-place Premier League standing and a toxic rift with supporters.
The final straw came on Tuesday with a home defeat to Newcastle, leaving Spurs five points above the relegation zone. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium crowd erupted, booing Frank and chanting he would be "sacked in the morning."
Frank, appointed on June 12 on a three-year deal to succeed Ange Postecoglou, leaves after eight league games without a win and only two victories in 17. The team also suffered early exits from both domestic cups.
While Champions League form was positive—a fourth-place league phase finish securing automatic last-16 qualification—the overriding mood was overwhelmingly negative. It was not just results but the "stodginess" of Frank's football that drove the wedge. His team lacked creativity and cutting edge, struggling with buildup play and predictable crossing.
Goal contributions from attackers were dismal. Richarlison scored seven league goals, but Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert, Mathys Tel, and Randal Kolo Muani managed just six between them. Dominic Solanke missed most of the season through injury.
The board, led by CEO Vinai Venkatesham, had resisted sacking Frank. An open letter to fans in mid-January called for patience, acknowledging "a distance between the club and our supporters." But the toxicity persisted. Fans booed the substitution of Tel in that game and jeered the final whistle.
The beginning of the rot was traced to a 1-0 home defeat by Chelsea on November 1, where Spurs posted a paltry 0.05 expected goals. Home form was catastrophic—only two league wins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a record worse than all but Burnley and Wolves.
Frank had joked upon his appointment about never being sacked before, saying: "That is one of the reasons why I took the job. I get a little bit more risk in my daily life." He departs with 11 players injured and a squad in transition.
A club statement said: "We have been determined to give him the time and support... However, results and performances have led the board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary."
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