Tottenham - Copenhagen: Thomas Frank is facing the exact same issue as Nuno Santo

04/11/2025 07:41:00 PlaymakerHub

Just months after his appointment with the expectation to revive Tottenham after Ange Postecoglou's reign, Thomas Frank is now facing a wave of doubt from his own fans.

This scenario reminds many of the short-lived but frustrating era of Nuno Espirito Santo four years ago. The recent 0-1 defeat to Chelsea was more than a simple loss; it marked the poorest display since Thomas Frank became Tottenham’s manager. Whereas Postecoglou’s Spurs were often criticized for playing too recklessly, Frank’s team is at the complete opposite end: so cautious that they become stuck. The hosts only managed 3 shots and accumulated 4 yellow cards.

Tottenham’s expected goals (xG) stood at 0.05, the lowest in the club’s Premier League history since data tracking began in 2012. Meanwhile, Chelsea generated an xG of 3.03, and if not for the remarkable saves by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, Spurs might have suffered a much heavier defeat.

Frank admitted, "I have never managed a team that created so few chances. It really pains me. I have to review everything because all issues are interconnected." Under Postecoglou, despite some bitter losses, Tottenham played with an attacking and entertaining spirit. Now, they lack creativity, surprise, and emotion.

The derby against Chelsea revealed the first cracks between Frank and Tottenham’s fans. In stoppage time of the second half, when Vicario played a short pass to Djed Spence instead of launching a long ball into the box, boos erupted around the stadium. Even after the final whistle, the crowd continued to express their anger.

Thomas Frank is at risk of repeating the mistakes of Nuno Espirito Santo

Not only the fans, but signs of discontent have also started to appear in the Spurs dressing room. Center-back Micky van de Ven and defender Djed Spence walked straight down the tunnel without shaking hands with the coaching staff, despite Frank’s attempt to stop them. Frank tried to downplay the incident, but observers see it as a dangerous sign of internal unrest.

Statistics further highlight the problem: Spurs have lost 3 home games under Frank, won only once, and failed to reach an xG above 1.0 in four consecutive matches at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. After a year of inconsistent performances, fans are desperate for real change, something Frank has yet to deliver.

Ironically, Tottenham still sit above Chelsea due to goal difference. Having finished 17th last season, securing a Top 6 spot should be considered progress. However, the shadow of the past looms large as Thomas Frank increasingly resembles Nuno Espirito Santo in a worrying way.

Both followed a similar path: leading a smaller club (Wolves and Brentford) into the Premier League, establishing an effective pragmatic style, then being hired by Tottenham after a difficult search for a manager.

Nuno started perfectly with three consecutive wins and was named Premier League Manager of the Month in August 2021. But Tottenham then lost 5 of the next 7 matches, leading to his dismissal on November 1, 2021. Thomas Frank, after a relatively solid start, is now caught in a similar downward spiral: tight defense but lifeless attack, creating boredom among fans.

Frank has been praised for making Tottenham more solid, but what supporters want is more than just stability. They want inspiration and progress — things Nuno failed to provide, and Frank risks following the same path.

M.Vu

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