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Thursday, February 19, 2026 | Daily Newspaper published by GPPC Doha, Qatar.

Tag Results for "Thomas Frank" (3 articles)

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FA Cup - Third Round - Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - January 10, 2026
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank reacts. REUTERS
Sport

Spurs sack Frank after miserable eight-month reign

Tottenham Hotspur have sacked head coach Thomas Frank after fewer than eight months in charge following a 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle on Tuesday, which left them a mere five points above the Premier League relegation zone.The north London side are 16th in the table and without a win in their past eight Premier League games – their worst such run since October 2008. Spurs have won just two of their past 17 league matches and collected only 12 points in that time.Frank, 52, replaced Ange Postecoglou, who was dismissed in June just over two weeks after leading Spurs to victory in the Europa League final. The club hailed the former Brentford boss as "one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game" when they announced the Dane's appointment on a three-year deal.But a Tottenham statement issued said: "The club has taken the decision to make a change in the men's head coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today. Thomas was appointed in June 2025, and we have been determined to give him the time and support needed to build for the future together. However, results and performances have led the board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary."The statement also thanked Frank for his "unwavering commitment" and whished him "every success" in the future. Frank led Spurs to automatic qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League by finishing fourth in the group stage. But that was offset by a Premier League record of seven wins, eight draws and 11 defeats this season, with Spurs also knocked out of both domestic cup competitions.Despite the Newcastle defeat, which saw frustrated home fans call for him to be "sacked in the morning", Frank was confident of remaining in charge after speaking to the Spurs hierarchy on Monday. "We understand we are not in a top position and we need to do everything we can to get out," said Frank after Tuesday's loss, with a 12-day gap until Tottenham are next in action, at home to Premier League leaders Arsenal in a north London derby on February 22. "I understand the frustration and the easiest thing is to point at me. That's part of the job unfortunately.He added: "I will work day and night to turn this around but it is not just one person. There is no doubt we need to improve and I need to be part of that."Frank spent seven years in charge of Brentford, guiding the club from the Championship to the Premier League in 2021 and keeping the west London side in the top division despite relatively meagre resources.Spurs finished 17th last season but qualified for the Champions League after beating Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao -- their first major trophy for 17 years.Despite their struggles in the league under Postecoglou, the Australian's attacking style at least provided entertainment for long-suffering fans, in contrast to Frank's dour defensive game plan.Frank said earlier this month he shared the frustrations of supporters but he has also been hampered by a long list of injuries to creative players including James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus.Although considered a member of the Premier League's "Big Six", Tottenham have not been crowned champions of England since winning the old First Division title in the 1960/61 season – when they also did 'The Double' by lifting the FA Cup. Frank is the seventh manager to part ways with a Premier League club this season. 

Tottenham Hotspur's head coach Thomas Frank (left) shakes hands with West Ham United's head coach Nuno Espírito Santo after the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. (AFP)
Sport

Frank on the brink as Romero calls for unity amid Spurs 'disaster'

Thomas Frank is in danger of being sacked after his future as Tottenham manager was reportedly discussed by the club's hierarchy Sunday.Tottenham fans called for Frank to be axed during Saturday's dismal 2-1 home defeat against struggling West Ham.It was Tottenham's third defeat in a row and eighth loss in 14 matches, leaving Frank on the brink of being dismissed just seven months after arriving from Brentford.Tottenham captain Cristian Romero admitted his team are in a "disaster moment" and reports on Sunday said the north London team's powerbrokers have met to debate Frank's fate.Only half a season after being hired from Brentford with a reputation as one of the most talented managers in the Premier League, Frank is anxiously awaiting a verdict on whether he will avoid the sack.Tottenham have won just once in their last eight matches and have been knocked out of both the FA Cup and League Cup.They are 11th in the Champions League group phase ahead of a crucial visit from Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday in the battle to qualify for the last 16.Languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, with just seven wins from their 22 top-flight games this season, Tottenham have arguably fared worse with Frank in charge as they did under his predecessor Ange Postecoglou.Postecoglou was sacked at the end of last season despite ending the club's 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League to earn qualification for the Champions League.Tottenham came 17th in the Premier League last season but Postecoglou's attacking tactics at least provided entertainment, in contrast to Frank's dour defensive game-plan.Romero, who scored in the West Ham loss, pulled no punches as he urged his club to stick together.The Argentine centre-back said: "Obviously another loss, a game at home, for me only one message for the fans, thank you for always staying with us."It is difficult and also a disaster moment for us, but especially in this moment, we need silence."Back tomorrow in training work, work hard every day and stay together. In three days we have another big match and this moment it is really silence and work hard."Romero believes a Tottenham win over Dortmund would help turn the tide, assuming Frank is still in charge by then."It is a difficult moment, it is like a disaster but Champions League, we have another big opportunity to maybe win and go to top eight and go to the next round. That's the most important thing," he said. 

Tottenham Hotspur's Dutch defender Micky van de Ven applauds fans on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, north west England on Sunday. Spurs won the game 3-0. AFP
Sport

Frank confident Van de Ven has ‘big future’

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank is upbeat about the long-term future of Micky van de Ven with the north London club despite reported interest in the Dutch defender from Spanish giants Real Madrid.The centre-back scored twice in Sunday’s 3-0 win at Everton to take his tally for the season to five goals in 13 appearances, with Spurs now third in the table - five points behind leaders and arch north London rivals Arsenal.Van de Ven has become a leading figure in the absence of injured club captain Cristian Romero and could lead the side out again in a League Cup match away to holders Newcastle on Wednesday. Frank, attempting to retain the senior players in a squad that won the Europa League in May, was relaxed about keeping hold of van de Ven, who joined Spurs on a six-year deal in 2023, for all the talk that Real are tracking the progress of the 24-year-old.“Yeah, very happy with Micky. I think he has been brilliant for the club since he signed and he has taken some steps up this season,” Frank said.“I think he actually defends even better. I think he is still very good on the ball, he added the goals and the headed goals, which I am very happy with. He’s a threat from set-pieces.“Character and leadership also growing and as far as I know, we have a good contract with him but definitely a player I see with a big future at the club. “I think he is happy here, that is very important and we’re happy with him, so let’s see what happens in the future.“I think the most important thing is it looks like he really enjoys his football, he really enjoys his time here, I am very happy with him, everyone is really happy, so that’s a good sign.”