Micky van de Ven has offered a clear and honest view of how the Tottenham squad feels about Thomas Frank, at a time when the manager has come under growing scrutiny from supporters.
Managing Tottenham Hotspur has never been an easy job, and Frank is discovering just how demanding the role can be as he works through a challenging start to his tenure.
Even after a solid 2-0 win over Brentford, Spurs sit 10th in the Premier League and have already lost a third of their matches, a statistic that naturally fuels frustration among fans.
Expectation is always high at Tottenham, and when results fall below what supporters believe the team should achieve, the manager is often the first target. Frank has had to take on that pressure quickly.
He arrived from Brentford with a reputation for smart coaching, brave football and the ability to improve players, but adjusting to a bigger club with bigger demands brings a new level of intensity. Yet the season is far from beyond repair.
With several teams tightly packed in the Premier League table, a strong run could change the mood dramatically, especially if the squad remains united behind the manager.
This unity was questioned recently when Micky van de Ven appeared to ignore Frank during a post-match moment following a defeat to Chelsea in November.
The clip spread quickly, sparking speculation that there might be tension or a lack of belief within the dressing room. Van de Ven has now moved to shut down that narrative completely, making it clear that the players remain fully supportive of their head coach and are working closely with him every day.
Speaking to Football London, the Dutch defender explained that the reaction from outside the club is understandable but does not match the reality inside the training ground.
“Of course, when a team is not doing really well, everybody is going to be on the manager,” he said. He acknowledged that Frank is adapting to a new environment and that Tottenham, despite the respect he has for Brentford, is a very different club with different expectations. Van de Ven emphasised that the squad is “good with him” and that they trust him completely.
According to him, Frank is clear in his instructions and the players know exactly what he wants. For van de Ven, backing the manager is not something they do occasionally it is something they commit to “every day.”
This endorsement comes at a crucial point in the season. December has always been one of the most demanding months in English football, and for Frank, the next few matches could shape the atmosphere around the club heading into the new year.
Spurs have three Premier League games left before January arrives, and none of them present an easy challenge. Nottingham Forest are notoriously tough to beat at home, Liverpool remain dangerous even when their form dips, and a trip to Selhurst Park has often caused Tottenham problems in the past.
These games will test not only Frank’s tactical approach but also the mentality of the squad. A strong December could push Tottenham back into contention for European places and ease the mounting pressure.
A poor run, however, would invite even more questions about the direction of the team and whether Frank is the right man to guide Spurs forward.
For now, the message from inside the dressing room is one of calm and unity. Van de Ven’s comments reflect a group that is not fracturing, but instead working to find consistency under a manager they believe in.
That belief will need to translate into performances on the pitch, because Tottenham’s season still has room to grow in a positive direction.
A few wins could quickly shift the mood and lift a heavy weight off Frank’s shoulders, giving him the space and confidence to build the team in the way he envisions.
If Spurs can put together a strong finish to the year, the conversation around Thomas Frank may soon change from pressure to progress—and the support of his players will have played a major part in that turnaround.
