Thomas Frank is almost certain to still be in charge when Sunday morning arrives. But after Tottenham’s damaging 2-1 home loss to West Ham, it felt far less like a reprieve and far more like a temporary delay.
This was a fixture Spurs simply had to win — a London derby against familiar opposition, played against the backdrop of rising frustration in the stands and a season slowly slipping away. Instead, Tottenham produced yet another display that invited doubt rather than reassurance, and another setback that intensified the feeling that Frank’s time is moving steadily towards an unavoidable end.
There was a promising start, with Spurs showing early energy and purpose, but the same old problems soon resurfaced. Plenty of possession, little penetration. Control of the ball without real threat. Once West Ham absorbed the pressure and grew into the game, Tottenham began to look vulnerable — both tactically and psychologically.
Where Spurs hesitated, West Ham were decisive. A lapse at the back was punished, and although Tottenham managed to claw their way back into the match, genuine belief never followed. When the visitors struck again late on, the mood inside the stadium collapsed, giving way to irritation, boos and resignation.
Frank’s demeanor on the touchline said plenty. He was vocal and animated, constantly urging his players on, yet he appeared increasingly alone. The tactical ideas that once earned praise now feel familiar and easily countered. Opponents seem to know exactly how to nullify Tottenham, and too often there is no convincing alternative when things start to unravel.
Injuries and a thin squad offer Frank some justification, and those factors may yet extend his stay. Spurs’ leadership are not typically reactive, and another mid-season managerial change would come with heavy financial and strategic consequences.
But football rarely allows for patience grounded in spreadsheets or long-term plans. Results shape perception, and right now the picture is bleak. Tottenham are stranded in the bottom half, already out of cup competitions, and the mood around the club has deteriorated at alarming speed.
This loss alone is unlikely to cost Frank his job. But it felt like another step along a well-worn path at Spurs — early optimism fading into frustration, patience draining away, and a manager running out of options.
Frank may make it through the weekend. Whether he makes it to the end of the season is a far bigger question.
