Tottenham Hotspur have offered clarity on the situation surrounding Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence after the pair appeared to ignore Thomas Frank following the club’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.
The incident, which took place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, quickly became a talking point among fans and pundits, with many questioning the players’ attitude towards their manager.
However, the club has now made its stance clear, insisting that the situation was not a sign of disrespect toward Frank but rather an expression of deep frustration after a poor result.
Following the defeat, Van de Ven’s emotions were visible as he walked straight down the tunnel, bypassing Frank and refusing to acknowledge supporters. His reaction sparked a flurry of speculation, with some fans accusing the Dutch defender of disrespecting his coach.
According to BBC Sport, Tottenham are “satisfied” that Van de Ven and Spence’s behavior was not directed at Frank but instead born out of irritation toward the fans, who booed the players off the pitch. The head coach reportedly encouraged the team to applaud the home crowd, but the pair instead chose to head straight to the dressing room, their frustration still raw after the final whistle.
The mood around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been tense for weeks. After another uninspiring display, patience among supporters appears to be wearing thin. Spurs have lost 12 of their last 20 Premier League home games in 2025, and the football being served under both Ange Postecoglou and now Thomas Frank has failed to inspire.
Postecoglou’s side were often wide open defensively, while Frank’s more pragmatic approach has left many fans frustrated with what they view as lifeless football. The latest defeat to Chelsea only deepened that sense of disillusionment.
Pundits have also weighed in on the Van de Ven incident, with Micah Richards suggesting the snub “looked worse than it was.” Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Richards explained that the defender’s reaction likely stemmed from pure frustration rather than a deliberate act of defiance.
“They were just gutted after the result it probably looked worse than it was. But if it wasn’t, then the manager has to take a stance,” Richards said. Gary Lineker shared similar sentiments, admitting it wasn’t “a great look” for Van de Ven but pointing out that players sometimes avoid the crowd out of guilt.
“Maybe they thought, ‘We’ve had a nightmare; we can’t face the fans because it was our fault.’ You have to be careful because we don’t know everything that was said,” Lineker added.
Inside the club, there is growing concern about Van de Ven’s emotional reaction and what it could mean for his future. The 24-year-old was visibly furious as he walked off, and his behavior has sparked speculation that he may be questioning his long-term commitment to the team.
Tottenham are currently in discussions to extend his contract, with chief executive Vinai Venkatesham leading negotiations. Van de Ven’s current deal runs until 2028, giving the club strong protection, but several European heavyweights including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea are believed to be monitoring his situation.
While Spurs would demand an astronomical fee for their vice-captain, they also know that player happiness plays a major role in contract decisions. Van de Ven is one of Tottenham’s most valuable assets and a key figure in Frank’s defensive setup, but if he begins to doubt the direction of the club’s project, he could hesitate to commit to an extension.
Despite the club’s public stance that there’s no internal issue, his visible frustration after the Chelsea defeat has raised questions that the hierarchy will be keen to address before they escalate.
Alan Shearer, speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, came to the defender’s defense. He described Tottenham’s performance as “an embarrassment” and said he understood why the players wanted to head straight off the pitch.
“They’ve been booed off; they just want to get off and cool down. I understand Thomas Frank likes to thank the fans, but I can see the players’ point of view too. They’ll say their apologies later,” Shearer said. His words echoed the sentiment that emotional reactions like Van de Ven’s are part of the game, especially after such disappointing results.
Still, while many can empathize with the frustration of losing to a fierce London rival, the optics of walking away from the manager and fans are damaging.
Supporters have every right to express disappointment after another dismal performance, and players are expected to acknowledge that, regardless of their emotions. Van de Ven’s reaction, though human, highlighted the growing tension within Tottenham’s camp a reflection of a team struggling to find belief under Frank.
Ultimately, Spurs view the incident as a momentary outburst rather than a sign of disunity. The club insists there is no rift between the manager and his players, but they are aware that frustrations are mounting both inside the dressing room and among fans.
With the season entering a critical phase, Thomas Frank’s challenge will be to channel that frustration into performances that restore faith in the project. For Van de Ven, his next actions on and off the pitch will be watched closely, as Tottenham look to ensure that passion doesn’t turn into discontent.
