'Thomas Frank's position had become untenable - it was a matter of when, not if' - Tottenham Reporter Notebook
Thomas Frank has left Tottenham after less than eight months in charge; Spurs are 16th in the Premier League, five points above the relegation zone, after 2-1 home loss to Newcastle on Tuesday; Dane's position at the club had become untenable, with interim set to take over till the summer
Wednesday 11 February 2026 13:33, UK
Thomas Frank has been sacked by Tottenham after Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle, a fifth loss in nine matches forcing the north London club's board into action with a recognition the Dane's position had become untenable, writes Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge:.
Frank had people supporting him, who didn't want to make this decision - but it had become untenable.
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Tottenham didn't want to do this, but they'd lost the fans. There was no way back. It had to be done.
They had to make a decision. They have got Arsenal in 12 days' time and it is not the game anyone wants.
Many thought it might have happened after a very damaging West Ham United defeat here a few weeks ago, but he stayed in his job and two victories in the Champions League against Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt got Spurs through to the last 16.
But they're in serious relegation problems now and it did become untenable.
They have got Arsenal in 12 days' time and it is not the game anyone wants.
The atmosphere last [Tuesday] night wasn't good inside the stadium. His name was booed when it was read out before the team's names were read out.
It happened a lot this season. Against Chelsea. Micky van de Ven didn't acknowledge him. Djed Spence.
Everyone likes to be at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, apart from the home fans. Someone said to me, "Newcastle aren't very good away from home." Tottenham aren't very good at home.
It wasn't much of a surprise.
And then at the end of the game there was more booing. And I was there and the first few minutes, it just looked like Newcastle were really up for it.
It was interesting hearing [Newcastle manager] Eddie Howe and the away fans getting behind him in that away section last night. And the home fans, quite the opposite.
So I think it was a matter of when, not if. And they decided to make this change now. And ultimately, they had to make a decision.
Do they think Tottenham are better with Frank in this relegation situation or without him? They decided it will be without him.
Frank was very well liked, a very engaging character, a very nice guy. I enjoyed speaking to him, but he didn't really endear himself with the supporters really from day one.
In terms of the club's recently released statement, what do I get out of it? Firstly, no news yet on his backroom team.
Remember, he has brought quite a few members of the backroom team from his previous time at Brentford, including Justin Cochrane, who is very highly regarded.
Johnny Heitinga has only just joined the club a couple of weeks ago, replacing Matt Wells, who moved to get a head coach role in the United States.
So that's an interesting one. And of course, no news on what direction they'll go just yet. It does feel there's potential for an interim.
We know there are so many high-profile managers that will be available in the summer and you can pretty much have a transfer show in itself for managers.
But this is a very, very big football club and you just wonder maybe if someone shows their interest over the next few days.
But what we do know is Frank is no longer the head coach of Tottenham Hotspur and Spurs now have a gap before the north London Derby against Arsenal.
And what a game for a new interim coach! You'd imagine it'll be done by then so the new man can come into the north London Derby, with Arsenal going for the title and Spurs trying to stay up. Unbelievable stuff!
What went wrong for Frank?
Analysis from Sky Sports' Nick Wright, Adam Smith and Sam Blitz:
Thomas Frank's Tottenham spell is over after just eight months.
Tuesday night's 2-1 loss at home to Newcastle, who were winless in their previous five matches, ended up being the final straw. Spurs remain without a Premier League victory in this calendar year.
Spurs were booed off by their own supporters at both half-time and full-time of the loss to the Magpies, with chants of 'sacked in the morning' and 'we want Frank out' aimed at the head coach.
Frank arrived in the summer as the popular Ange Postecoglou's replacement following a successful seven-year spell in charge of Brentford. Why did it not work out for him at Spurs?
Tottenham's next five games
February 22: Arsenal (h), Premier League - kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
March 1: Fulham (a), Premier League - kick-off 2pm, live on Sky Sports
March 5: Crystal Palace (h), Premier League - kick-off 8pm
March 15: Liverpool (a), Premier League - kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
March 22: Nott'm Forest (h), Premier League, kick-off 2.15pm, live on Sky Sports
