Thomas Frank had to swallow hard as Tottenham endured what he described as their most abject display of the season at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.
The Danish manager admitted he was trying to contain an “internal hurricane” after witnessing a performance that left fans heading for the exits well before Forest’s 3-0 victory was sealed.
Spurs’ Display Sparks Manager’s Anger
Frank’s frustration was palpable, particularly with Tottenham’s sloppy passing.
“We decided to throw the ball away to them 25 times,” he said.
“You can’t do that. If you play a game like we did, it is very disappointing and I am burning, angry.
It’s not the first time we have seen it.” The manager’s voice carried both exasperation and a sense of responsibility as he reflected on the club’s inconsistent displays.
Managing the Players and Emotions
One of Frank’s noted strengths is his ability to communicate, but even he admitted there were moments when his patience was tested.
He plans to have a discussion with full-back Djed Spence after the player displayed petulance following his substitution in the 58th minute.
“I think I do everything to control my emotions,” Frank explained.
“There is a hurricane inside me, because it’s deeply frustrating we are not doing better after three good performances.
I think it is extremely important to be calm and measured and, of course, have very direct and clear messages.
We will say it at the right time, so they’re not in doubt of what I think.”
Acknowledging the Work Ahead
Frank made no attempt to sugarcoat the situation.
“I was also very honest – this was a very bad performance.
No two ways about that. But also know that to change this, this will take some time,” he said.
He stressed that years of underlying issues at Tottenham cannot be solved by quick fixes or constant managerial changes.
“It’s just reality,” he added. “The ones who have followed the club and the team, it’s fair to say there have been a few not too consistent performances, and that’s the thing.
We are working very hard.”
On His Future and the Need for Patience
When pressed about whether he would get the time to continue his work, Frank remained firm.
“I can’t see why not. If no-one gets time, nothing gets changed.
This is not a quick fix.” The message was clear: Frank is committed to steady improvement and believes that with patience and consistent leadership, Tottenham can begin to rectify the issues that have plagued them on and off the pitch.
What’s Next
As Spurs regroup, the focus will be on addressing the glaring mistakes from Nottingham, instilling consistency, and giving Frank the space to implement the changes he believes are necessary for long-term success.
The task is far from easy, but the Danish manager is ready to face the challenge head-on.
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