Tottenham Hotspur are facing a growing crisis, with manager Thomas Frank acknowledging the severity of the situation but remaining steadfast in his belief that he is the right man to steer the club away from relegation trouble. The club sits 15th in the Premier League table, just six points clear of the drop zone, and has failed to secure a domestic win in 2026.
Frank addressed the media on Monday , following a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford, a match compounded by Cristian Romero’s sixth red card since joining the Premier League. The Argentine defender will now face a four-match suspension, adding to an already extensive injury list that includes Destiny Udogie. The mounting absences are clearly impacting the team’s performance, a point Frank repeatedly emphasized during the press conference.
“I think the injuries need to be massively taken into consideration,” Frank stated, when questioned about the team’s attacking play and lack of discernible patterns. “Everyone can see the impact of things.”
The situation is reminiscent of previous seasons where Spurs narrowly avoided relegation, but Frank cautioned that the Premier League has become increasingly competitive. The league is “a different beast” now, he implied, with fewer teams guaranteed survival.
Frank was pressed on whether he felt his players were giving their all, particularly in light of the team’s struggles. He responded, “Yeah, if you see them out there, I think they’re running very, very hard. It’s tough for them. We see tough. Football and life is tough at times… when you have things going against you, you need to show resilience, you need to show your true colour. We are definitely tested to show that.”
The manager also addressed the reasoning behind his decision to leave Palhinha on the bench for the match against Manchester United, stating simply, “I think you take decisions sometimes… but he did very well when he came on.”
The club’s hierarchy is reportedly aware of the precarious position the team finds itself in. When asked about their understanding of the impact of the injury crisis, Frank responded, “Of course they understand that. I think everyone can see that you can just put the 11 players that are out in a line-up and then you can compare the two teams and then you guys can judge which player is out.” He stressed his role is to “find solutions with the players available.”
Adding to the concerns is an injury to Wilson Odobert, the extent of which remains unknown. “No, not yet,” Frank said when asked for an update. “I hope it’s nothing too serious, but I don’t know what it can be. I hope it’s not a serious injury to a 20-year-old young player.”
Frank was also questioned about a perceived pattern of teams turning their fortunes around when playing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He acknowledged the trend, stating, “I think maybe there’s a theme. I think we’ve lost definitely too many games at home. There’s no doubt about that.” He pointed to Newcastle United’s experience in navigating difficult situations as a potential challenge in Tuesday night’s match.
Despite the mounting pressure and the club’s alarming form, Frank remains resolute in his belief that he is the right person to lead Tottenham through this challenging period. “1,000 per cent sure,” he affirmed when asked if he still had faith in his ability to turn things around. “I am also 1,000 per cent sure that I never expected us to be in a situation like this with 11 or 12 injuries… but I know when you need to build something and need to get through things, you need to show unbelievable strong resilience.”
He acknowledged the temptation to make changes, specifically referencing the potential for a managerial change, but cautioned against hasty decisions. “There are a few before me up here not only for Tottenham but in many other clubs that have lost their head many times,” he said. “I think you need to have a calm head, carry on, keep fighting and keep doing the right thing, make sure we stick together.” He emphasized the need for unity between the board, players, staff, and fans.
When pressed on whether a continued slide towards the relegation zone would inevitably lead to his dismissal, Frank acknowledged the reality of the situation. “I understand the mechanism in football, no doubt about that but there are a lot of studies that it is not the right thing to do. I know it’s the only movement they have, but there’s also plenty of situations where it’s not the right thing to do.” He reiterated his commitment to fighting for the club and focusing on what he can control.
Frank concluded by admitting the club is aware of its precarious position but stressed the importance of maintaining a calm and focused approach. “Of course we understand we’re not in a good situation, but with everything in life you need to stay calm, keep doing it and keep going.”
Tottenham’s upcoming matches against Newcastle United and Arsenal will be crucial tests of their resolve. The club’s ability to navigate this injury crisis and rediscover a winning formula will ultimately determine whether they can avoid a potentially disastrous end to the season.
