Thomas Frank speaks for first time since Tottenham sack developments
Thomas Frank insists he did not fear for his Tottenham job amid fan unrest earlier this month.
Tottenham‘s 2-1 home loss to West Ham on 17 January led to strong suggestions that Frank would be sacked by Spurs.
In fact, Tim Sherwood suggested it was inevitable Frank would be sacked as Spurs languished in the lower reaches of the Premier League.
But Frank survived that loss, as well as last weekend’s 2-2 draw away at a poor Burnley side, before overseeing an impressive 2-0 Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt in midweek.
And it has now been reported Frank has the support of Tottenham chiefs and is not at immediate threat of being sacked.
Thomas Frank speaks out on Tottenham ‘sack’ chants
Tottenham fans have called for Frank’s head repeatedly this season, most recently during last weekend’s draw at Turf Moor.
On the back of the reports that Frank’s job is safe, the Dane has now spoken out for the first time in an interview with Sky Sports.
“I would say it’s not about me, but I understand how football works, of course. It’s easier to only blame the head coach,” Frank said when asked if he feared for his job.
“I think the feeling we have is a very committed playing squad. It’s a very committed staff. It’s a very committed leadership at the top of the club, in Vinai [Venkatesham] and Johan [Lange].”
Frank also commented on the chants from fans, saying: “I think when you’re in a big club like Tottenham, with huge ambitions, and a fantastic, massive fanbase, and you’re not where you want to be, there will always be noise.
“That I expect, and it should be noise. What I know is that we will get there in the end, and we’ll pull through this. Then we’ll be in a better place, and then there will be less noise.”
Frank has basically said what was expected, but it remains to be seen just how close he was to being sacked just a week or so ago.
Who can realistically replace Frank at Tottenham?
Even accounting for the win over Frankfurt, which secured automatic progression to the last 16 of the Champions League, the vast majority of Spurs fans still want Frank gone.
The one saving grace the former Brentford boss has is Spurs chiefs may feel there are no realistic contenders out there to replace him right now.
However, Oliver Glasner will be leaving Crystal Palace in the summer and seems a wise choice to go after if Frank is sacked.
Xabi Alonso is also out of work, but he is more likely to hold out for a different job.
If results do not improve in the league, and Frank is indeed sacked, it may well be that John Heitinga is the man to step in.
Heitinga was recently appointed as part of Frank’s backroom staff and therefore already has one foot through the door, so to speak.
All Frank can do for now is try to build some momentum, but with Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Arsenal up next, that will be much easier said than done.
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