Thomas Frank’s position under question after stoppage-time West Ham defeat

Thomas Frank’s future as Tottenham manager is in doubt after Saturday’s last‑gasp 2-1 home defeat by West Ham, when supporters chanted that he should be “sacked in the morning”. The club’s hierarchy had previously urged patience during what was described as a likely transitional season; the chief executive, Vinai Venkatesham, wrote an open letter to fans on Saturday morning calling for forbearance.

But a stoppage‑time winner from the substitute Callum Wilson has prompted the club to wonder whether they can persist with Frank. The mood at the stadium was described as toxic, with fans booing at half-time and full-time and jeering Frank’s decision to substitute Mathys Tel in the 62nd minute as Spurs trailed 1-0.

Cristian Romero equalised, but Romero said after the match: “At this moment this is a disaster for us… We are not the best on the pitch.” The club this week brought the former Ajax manager John Heitinga onto Frank’s coaching staff to replace Matt Wells; the Guardian said there had been suggestions Heitinga could potentially replace Frank on a caretaker basis if results did not improve, although Frank said he had driven the appointment.

Frank said he still had the faith of the hierarchy and would turn around what he called a “supertanker”, adding he had taken “six to eight positive things” from Venkatesham’s letter.

Key Topics

Sports, Thomas Frank, Tottenham, West Ham, Callum Wilson, Vinai Venkatesham