David Ornstein has now lifted the lid on Thomas Frank’s future as Tottenham pressure reaches breaking point.
Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham United at the weekend appears to have marked a significant tipping point for Spurs, who are now understood to be weighing up the future of Thomas Frank.
The Dane looked out of his depth once again as another relegation-threatened side took points from him, with Tottenham also having dropped points against Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in the season.
The Spurs board are believed to have drawn up a three-man shortlist should they decide to part company with Frank, while reports have also claimed that Mauricio Pochettino is open to a return to north London.
David Ornstein provides Thomas Frank update as pressure grows at Tottenham
David Ornstein has now provided an update on Thomas Frank’s situation, with pressure continuing to build both internally and externally at Tottenham.
A recent update even claims that a member of the Spurs executive team has actively recommended Frank’s dismissal.
Addressing the seriousness of the moment, Ornstein made clear how critical the current position has become for the Spurs head coach.
Speaking about Frank’s standing at the club, Ornstein said: “I think it is pretty clear that it is a critical situation for Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur.
“As things stand, he remains in position and Tottenham play in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, so possibly he takes charge of that.
“There is still a lot of goodwill behind Thomas Frank internally at Tottenham. They want him to succeed, but I think there is a great deal of realism too. And there is an acceptance that that might not happen. Which makes me think it is a matter of when, not if, he would go.
“Of course, there is a chance of a dramatic upturn, but I think that is looking improbable. Especially when the fans have turned against him and the hierarchy, and also from what we hear, many players understandably are dissatisfied.
“The feeling at Tottenham is not that Thomas Frank is out of his depth, but perhaps he was not the right fit for this job at this moment in time.
“He would not be the first to see results decline, as was the case under Ange Postecoglou and previously, which brings me to the point of the issues running far deeper than just the head coach.”
“If you look at the change with Daniel Levy being removed from his position after 25 years, the Lewis family taking more active control with the new look board, and a new chief executive with Vinai Venkatesham, what appears at the top of the tree is a lack of football expertise.
“Well, they do have the sporting director Johan Lange, but a lot of new faces and a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to try to make Tottenham Hotspur a club that is fit for purpose.
“It may be that he succumbs even though he is not the problem at the heart of this. John Heitinga has come in to assist Thomas Frank and recruitment work for the January transfer window continues with Conor Gallagher, but it is a precarious position.”
Spurs options increase as uncertainty over Thomas Frank continues
Spurs are likely to have several options available should they part ways with Thomas Frank, given the number of managers currently out of work.
Enzo Maresca is without a club following his departure from Chelsea and could be considered, although his previous association with the Blues may make him a less appealing option.
Xabi Alonso has also stepped down from his role at Madrid and remains highly regarded after his success at Bayer Leverkusen. At the same time, Xavi, formerly of Barcelona, is still available and has been loosely linked with Tottenham.
Ruben Amorim is another manager currently unattached following his dismissal at Manchester United, while Mauricio Pochettino could become available in the summer, alongside Oliver Glasner, who may also be free following his situation at Crystal Palace.