Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has publicly asserted that his position is secure following a 2-1 home loss to Newcastle United, but the defeat intensifies scrutiny on his future as the club slips into the Premier League’s relegation zone.
On a tense evening at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Newcastle secured a rare away victory with goals from Malick Thiaw in the first half and Jacob Ramsey shortly after Archie Gray had equalized for Spurs. The result marked Tottenham’s eighth consecutive league game without a win and their 11th defeat of the season, leaving them in 16th place, just five points above the drop zone. This loss extends their winless run in 2026 and deepens fears of a relegation battle, with the team now having the lowest win percentage under any Spurs manager in the Premier League era at 26.9%.
In the aftermath, Frank faced immediate questions about his job security. Speaking to TNT Sports and BBC Radio 5 Live, he revealed that he had discussed his situation with the club’s owners the previous day and received assurances. “I understand the frustration and the easiest thing is to point at me,” Frank said. “I will work day and night to turn this around, but it is not just one person.” He added that he is “1000 per cent” certain he will remain in charge, citing studies that suggest sacking a manager mid-season isn’t always the answer.
The home fans expressed their displeasure loudly, booing the team at full-time and chanting “you’re getting sacked in the morning” and “we want Frank out.” This reaction underscores a growing discontent among the supporter base, which has been simmering for weeks due to the team’s poor form. Internally, sources indicate that Frank’s backing within the leadership team has waned, adding to the pressure and making his position increasingly precarious.
Frank’s tenure at Tottenham has been challenging from the start. Since taking over, he has guided the team to only seven Premier League victories, with the club struggling with a spate of injuries to key players and still adjusting after the high-profile departures of stars like Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. This has left a void in attack and leadership, compounding the on-field issues. The squad’s lack of experience has been noted, with attempts to sign players like Conor Gallagher aimed at addressing this gap.
Despite these hurdles, Frank remains defiant, emphasizing the need for stability and resilience. He pointed to the injuries and squad rebuilding as mitigating factors, arguing that the club requires a period of managerial consistency. However, the numbers paint a bleak picture: Spurs have taken just 19 points from their last 21 matches, highlighting a severe decline in form that has seen them drop from a promising start to the brink of relegation.
The broader context includes Tottenham’s historical struggles and comparisons to past managers. Their current winless streak is the longest since 2008 under Juande Ramos, who was eventually dismissed. Pundits like former Spurs striker Les Ferdinand have described the situation as “desperate times,” calling for decisive action from the board, while legend Glenn Hoddle noted that the team must “scrap for every single point” in a relegation fight.
Looking ahead, Tottenham have a 12-day gap before their next fixture, a North London derby against league leaders Arsenal on February 22, live on Sky Sports. This break provides a window for the club’s hierarchy to assess Frank’s position and potentially execute a contingency plan, with work already underway behind the scenes. The outcome could define their season, as avoiding relegation becomes the immediate priority.
In conclusion, while Thomas Frank insists he is safe, the combination of poor results, fan unrest, and internal doubts makes his future increasingly uncertain. The coming days will be critical in determining whether he can rally the team or if Tottenham will opt for a managerial change to salvage their Premier League status, with the board facing a tough decision between stability and a fresh start.
