Thomas Frank exclusive: Tottenham boss did not fear for job after West Ham loss but is aware of 'sacked' chants
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank speaks exclusively to Sky Sports News about hearing 'sacked' chants and having "the support of everyone" at the club amid a poor league run; watch Spurs vs Manchester City on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League; kick-off 4.30pm
Friday 30 January 2026 18:44, UK
Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank did not fear losing his job after this month's home defeat against West Ham.
Frank's seven-month Spurs tenure looked in serious doubt following the 2-1 home loss to the Hammers, as he was loudly booed by his own fans, who chanted he was "getting sacked in the morning".
Those chants were once again sung in last Saturday's 2-2 draw at Burnley.
But the Dane has battled on to guide Tottenham into the Champions League last 16 after Wednesday's 2-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt secured them a top-four finish.
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Attention now turns back to the Premier League, where Spurs are severely struggling. The Europa League holders sit 14th in the table and are just eight points above the drop zone.
Two wins in 14 league games have put Frank under pressure ahead of a daunting February fixture list starting with Sunday's home game against Manchester City, live on Sky Sports, followed by matches against Manchester United, Newcastle and north London rivals Arsenal.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News' Michael Bridge ahead of this weekend's Man City clash, Frank discusses those 'sacked' chants, having support from the top amid sweeping hierarchical change at the club, and wanting to defend himself more.
At the start of the season, could you have envisaged a Champions League top-four finish while sitting 14th in the Premier League table?
"That definitely wouldn't have been my guess or prediction, if I look back at it.
"I knew this season would be a transitional season. I knew that we had big ambitions. We really want to do well. We all know where we want to get to. But where the club and the teams come from to where we want to go, I knew there would be a transition. There would be ups and downs. I fully expected us to be higher. The ambition is to be higher in the Premier League table, have done even better. That's the disappointment. That's what we're working hard on.
"I think we look more consistent, more competitive, especially the last 10 games. Also, before, there was a bit of an up and down, but it looks the right direction. The last three games, definitely, we're going there, and that's what we need to keep doing."
There was noise after the West Ham and Burnley results - do you think that Champions League last-16 qualification has earned the right to stop the noise for a bit?
"I think when you're in a big club like Tottenham, with huge ambitions, and a fantastic, massive fan base, 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."
Did you have any concerns about your job when you lost at home to West Ham?
"No. 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.
"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 - Spurs chief executive) and Johan (Lange - Spurs sporting director).
"It's a very committed ownership, and I feel support from everyone. I've done that from day one, and I still feel it. Of course, it's been windy and stormy weather when we're not hitting where we want to, but I think we need to get better results, no doubt about that. But all the underlying things behind the scenes, we're going the right way.
"Hopefully, all that work will materialise in consistently good performances and wins."
There's been a lot of change upstairs at Spurs after Daniel Levy's exit, so is it fair to reflect that?
"I think that's fair. I think Daniel was such an integral part of the club. There are, of course, new ways of doing things. I think a lot of senior people have changed in the organisation. I think it's all for the better. It looks like it's going really in the right direction. The better we get to know each other, Vinai, Johan, the different directors, and me, the better it will be."
How hard was it walking off the pitch at Burnley amid fan unrest towards you?
"Of course, that's hard. Of course it is. When you feel that you've played a game where you could have gotten more out of it, and you don't get it, that's tough.
"There's also a good study in English football culture because the whole end stand of Burnley was actually signing, 'You're getting sacked in the morning', from everyone, from 12-year-old kids to 25-year-olds to 70-year-olds. But that's the way it is. I understand that."
But you never had that at Brentford?
"No, but I experienced it in Brondby, so it is what it is. Would you like to avoid it? Yes, of course. You prefer not to have that.
"But a couple of things - one, I work very hard every day. Everything I can do with a lot of good people to make sure we turn this around. I'm not in doubt at all that we'll end there. Two, I'm grounded. I know how to show resilience. I think I've got good values. I know reality, and I have a perspective on life, so that's helpful."
You've been missing key players like James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke, while talisman Heung-Min Son is no longer at the club, but you never use it as an excuse when it's a fact. Do you ever feel like you should defend yourself a bit more?
"Definitely feel that sometimes I would like to defend myself a little bit more.
"I actually calculated the other day, for the whole season in all competitions, it is 50 to 60 goals [lost] and almost the same amount of assists [lost] from those four players.
"And that's difficult to replace, especially with younger players or new players coming into the club from a different league. That is just difficult. So no doubt, that's part of the reason why we haven't been as free-flowing."
What's the message to those supporters who do not care for the excuses and want someone different in charge?
"First and foremost, we are here for the supporters. I'm here. The players want the supporters to be happy and proud of the team. That's one thing. I'm working very hard to make sure they'll be proud of the team.
"Still magic moments this season and good performances, but over time, I'm not in doubt that we will get where we will. I'm very, very aware of where we need to go to. Very, very aware of what we need to work on and what we need to do.
"We are completely aligned, the leadership in this club. What we need to do and where we want to go to. And then we just need a little bit of momentum, a little bit of margins with us on the way, and then we'll get there."
There were 3,500 Spurs fans who clapped you and the players after Wednesday's win at Frankfurt - does that show you how wins can turn it all around?
"And that's the beauty of football. You're right. A couple of wins, a couple of good performances. Then everyone is a little bit more happy because we all want the same.
"We want success for Spurs. We want success for this fantastic football club. And that was a nice feeling to see the happy faces on the fans."
