Tottenham Hotspur’s manager, Thomas Frank, faces mounting pressure as his team struggles in the Premier League, currently sitting 14th in the standings. With only one victory in their last eight league matches, the club aims to bounce back during their upcoming fixture against Crystal Palace on Sunday. This match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, where Spurs will look to avoid a third consecutive defeat following losses to Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Frank candidly acknowledged the challenges ahead. He stated, “I think we are in a transition phase… We only qualified for the Champions League because we won the Europa League. We didn’t qualify because we were one of the four or five best clubs in the Premier League last season. We finished 17th.” His honest assessment reflects the reality faced by the squad, which has undergone significant changes over the past year.
The Danish manager expressed optimism about his role and the future of the club. “I’m super happy for having the opportunity,” he noted. “I’m an optimistic person, so I always believe in the good and that we can create something very magical here.” Frank emphasized the importance of time in building a competitive team, stating, “This is a longer journey… to get to where we want to get, it just takes time to build that.”
As he evaluates his six-and-a-half months in charge, Frank is aware of the high expectations surrounding Tottenham. The perception is that they are a top-six club, and he aims to meet those aspirations. He remarked, “The perception of us… is that we are a top six club, which is the aim.” However, he also acknowledged the disparity between the aim and the current performance level, which needs to be addressed.
Frank has noted positive developments within the squad, highlighting improvements in player consistency and team dynamics. “I think Micky van de Ven has almost never looked better… Cuti [Cristian Romero] the same. Richarlison, the same,” he stated. Despite these individual successes, the overarching challenge remains the need for collective performance, particularly in offensive play.
“Our improvement of the set pieces has gone from here [bottom] to here [top],” Frank pointed out, indicating a significant focus on this aspect of the game. He believes that understanding the nuances of both attacking and defensive strategies is crucial for success. “It’s not that we haven’t worked on it… I think we started the season quite well on it, then had a dip, and now I think we’re on the up again,” he added.
Looking forward, Frank recognizes that the path to success includes not only developing a competitive culture but also navigating the demands of frequent match schedules. “The challenge is we are playing a lot of games, and we’re playing every three or four days,” he explained. This dynamic adds to the complexity of building a cohesive team capable of competing at a high level consistently.
As Tottenham prepares for a busy schedule, Frank remains committed to strengthening the squad. He acknowledged the need for reinforcements over the upcoming transfer windows while expressing confidence in the current players. “I’m very happy with my squad. I’m very happy with the players, but I also think it’s fair to say that we also need… to strengthen the squad,” he concluded.
With the pressure mounting and the expectation of improvement, Frank’s leadership will be tested in the coming months. The upcoming matches will be critical not only for securing points but also for laying the groundwork for a brighter future at Tottenham Hotspur.
