Thomas Frank may have earned himself a temporary reprieve, but Tottenham Hotspur remain deeply divided over whether the Dane is the right man to lead the club forward. Tuesday night’s 2-0 Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund offered relief after a turbulent few days, yet it has done little to unite a fractured fanbase that had seemingly lost faith in their manager.
Spurs arrived at the game having lost three consecutive matches in all competitions, with pressure mounting following a last-gasp Premier League defeat by West Ham that sparked loud boos and visible anger inside the stadium. For many supporters, defeat against Dortmund would likely have spelled the end of Frank’s tenure.
Instead, goals from Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke in an impressive first-half performance changed the mood — at least temporarily.
From Boos to Cheers: A Stadium Divided
Before kick-off, Thomas Frank’s name was met with jeers when announced over the tannoy. Inside and outside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, confidence in the manager was at rock bottom.
Speaking to supporters ahead of the match, belief in Frank was almost non-existent.
“I really do think 99% of this stadium are Frank out,” said lifelong Spurs fan Sarah Sturgeon-Scraggs, who has attended matches with her father Ronnie since childhood.
“We get so little joy. I love the people I sit with and spending time with my dad, but football-wise it’s draining.”
Ronnie echoed her view:
“Barring a miracle — results, style, player backing — the fans have abandoned him. Personally, I feel he has to go.”
Those feelings had been magnified just days earlier when sections of the crowd chanted “you’re getting sacked in the morning” during the West Ham defeat.
A Win That Buys Time — But Not Trust
The Dortmund victory may have calmed the atmosphere, but it did not fully change opinions. Spurs were dominant and energetic in the first half, pressing aggressively and moving the ball with purpose. However, a more conservative second-half approach frustrated many supporters.
“We went to five at the back and the game just died,” Sarah said.
“It sucked the joy out of it yet again. That’s why Frank isn’t right for this team. I’m still Frank out.”
Fellow supporter Ali Speechly shared similar concerns:
“If we could see signs of what he’s trying to achieve, maybe we’d be more patient. But it looks like a group of players doing their own thing.”
After the match, Ali acknowledged improvement but remained unconvinced:
“Much better first half — where has that been? But second half, we were dead again. It feels like Frank can’t put two good halves together.”
Some Fans See Hope for a Turnaround
Not all supporters left unconvinced. For some, the performance offered genuine encouragement.
Spurs fan Alfie, who had described Tottenham as playing “like a Championship team” before kick-off, changed his tone afterward:
“The first half was brilliant. The second half wasn’t great, but we didn’t concede. I’m really happy with the result. I think Frank might have more up his sleeve than we think.”
The victory puts Tottenham in a strong position to qualify automatically for the Champions League knockout stages, a stark contrast to their domestic struggles.
Has Frank Lost the Dressing Room? Evidence Suggests Not
While many fans remain skeptical, the performance against Dortmund suggested that Thomas Frank still has the backing of his players.
The intensity, work rate, and unity on display — particularly in the first half — stood out. At half-time, the entire squad gathered together before heading down the tunnel, a moment that did not go unnoticed.
Former Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live:
“That wasn’t a performance from a team that’s lost the dressing room. There’s been talk of disunity, but I didn’t see that. The players played for their manager.”
Frank reinforced that message post-match:
“The players are giving everything. That’s an extremely good sign about the culture. It shows we are together.”
‘Two Tottenhams’ This Season
For Tottenham supporters, the season feels eerily familiar. Last year under Ange Postecoglou, Spurs struggled badly in the Premier League but thrived in Europe, eventually winning the Europa League.
Under Frank, history appears to be repeating itself. Tottenham currently sit 14th in the Premier League, yet have lost just once in seven European matches.
“There are two Tottenhams this season,” said Ally McCoist on TNT Sports.
“Fortunately, it was the Champions League Tottenham that turned up tonight.”
Robinson added:
“When your back’s against the wall, you dig in and get a result. What frustrates fans — and Frank — is why this level isn’t appearing in the league.”
What Happens Next for Thomas Frank?
There is little time for reflection in football. Tottenham face struggling Burnley in the Premier League this weekend, a match that could define the next chapter of Frank’s tenure.
A convincing win may convince some fans that progress is being made. Another poor result, however, could reignite calls for change — especially amid reports that the club’s hierarchy are already considering ending Frank’s seven-month reign.
Frank is fully aware of the pressure:
“The big thing is to build on this with a performance and win against Burnley,” he said.
“It’s a big skill to produce in both the Premier League and Champions League every week. We have to keep believing.”
After days of criticism and speculation, Frank allowed himself a brief moment of relief following the Dortmund win.
“Two big glasses of red will be necessary,” he joked. “I will enjoy them.”
Key Takeaways
- Tottenham beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the Champions League
- The result likely buys Thomas Frank time, but fan opinion remains divided
- Many supporters remain unconvinced despite the improved first-half display
- Signs suggest Frank still has the support of the dressing room
- Premier League form remains the biggest concern ahead of the Burnley match
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