Thomas Frank is ‘confident’ he will remain in charge at Tottenham despite fans slamming the head coach after yet another defeat.
Frank suffered his 15th defeat as Spurs manager in a 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle, and his win rate in the league was just 26.9 per cent, the lowest of any Spurs manager in the Premier League era.
The defeat dropped Spurs to 16th place and they are now five points clear of the relegation zone, but they could have dropped to three points if Manchester United had not equalized in stoppage time against 18th-placed West Ham.
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Free to watch: Premier League highlights of Tottenham Hotspur vs. Newcastle United
Asked if he would manage the next game against rivals Arsenal, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on February 22, Frank replied: “Yes, I’m sure it will happen. I understand the question.”
“It’s easy to point the finger at me, but it’s never just the head coach, the owners, the players, the staff, it’s everyone.
“Everyone knows where we are and what we need to improve on. That’s what we’re working hard on.”
Newcastle United’s Jacob Ramsey celebrates after scoring his second goal of the match
Frank: I understand why the fans are booing and chanting.
Frank’s name was booed by the home crowd before kick-off, and the booing intensified towards the end of the game, with chants of “He’s fired in the morning” and “I want Frank sent off.”
The 52-year-old was also heavily booed as he walked onto the pitch after the final whistle.
When asked about the hostile response, he added, “I understand the fans’ frustration.”
“This is a position they don’t want to be in. We are working day and night to change that. The club has been in that position for the last two years. It is a pattern of clubs struggling to compete in Europe and the Premier League.”
“Part of that is getting rid of injuries and suspensions. The Newcastle team we play have been struggling a little bit lately, but I thought they were a lot better in the first half and we bounced back well after that.”
“The second goal was a little bit emblematic of our season.”
Newcastle United’s Jacob Ramsey scores second goal
Frank: I’m the right person for the job.
Despite his dismal results and currently untenable position at the club, Frank still believes he is the right man for the job.
He added: “1,000 percent. I’m also 1,000 percent sure we didn’t expect to be in the situation we are in now with 11 to 12 people injured.”
“There are several people before me who have lost their minds here at Tottenham and at many other clubs. I have to stay calm. We have to get through this together.”
Thomas Frank played full-time after Tottenham lost to Newcastle
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, who was under pressure ahead of the game, echoed the claims and admitted Tottenham wanted to give Frank time to prove his worth at the club.
“Well, I think the great reality of this job is you know it can happen to any of us at any time and it’s not a good thing,” Howe said in the postgame press conference.
“If you look at Tottenham’s injury list, you can see they have an incredible number of players missing and I think it’s going to be really, really difficult for Thomas.
“I think he’s an outstanding manager. I’ve played against him many times. I think he has all the qualities to be a top manager at this football club and I hope he gets the time to show that.”
Tottenham’s next 5 games:
February 22 – Tottenham v Arsenal, 4.30pm – Live on Sky March 1 – Fulham v Tottenham, 2pm – Live on Sky March 5 – Tottenham v Crystal Palace, 8pm – Live on Sky March 15 – Liverpool v Tottenham, 4.30pm – Live on Sky March 22 – Tottenham v Nottingham Forest, 2.15pm – Live on Sky
