The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has shifted from toxic to cautiously optimistic following a vital 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
However, while the win provides much-needed breathing room for manager Thomas Frank, the shadow of the axe still looms large. According to respected journalist David Ornstein, the Danish coach remains under “huge pressure” despite the European success.
Before Tuesday night, the general feeling within the football world was that Frank’s departure was a matter of “when” rather than “if.” A string of poor results, including a devastating home loss to West Ham, had pushed the board toward a breaking point.
Coming into the Dortmund clash, Frank was essentially fighting for his professional life with one hand tied behind his back. The club’s injury list had reached double figures, leaving him with barely enough fit senior players to fill a starting eleven.
Yet, his team responded with a level of grit and organization that had been missing in recent weeks. The performance was undeniably boosted by a red card for Dortmund’s Daniel Svensson in the 26th minute, but Spurs were already leading 1-0 at that stage thanks to a goal from Cristian Romero.
It felt like a “stay of execution” for Frank, giving him at least one more chance to prove his worth during the upcoming trip to Burnley.
Ornstein’s update on the situation reveals a complex dynamic behind the scenes. While the fans have been vocal in their disapproval especially on social media there is still a significant amount of goodwill for Frank within the “corridors of power” at Tottenham.
Chief Executive Vinai Venkatesham and the club’s ownership reportedly want the project to succeed. Ornstein noted that the club is not actively planning for his exit or setting up contingencies, despite the natural scouting of other coaches that happens at every major club.
The hierarchy views Frank as a “thoroughly decent man” who has been subjected to unfair levels of personal abuse, but they are also well aware that they operate in a results-driven industry.
The victory over Dortmund was a testament to the senior players stepping up when their manager needed them most. Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie both made impressive returns to the side after long injury layoffs, providing a much-needed boost in quality and energy.
Their performances contradicted earlier reports that many players in the dressing room were becoming dissatisfied with life under Frank. On Tuesday night, the squad looked united, disciplined, and determined to secure a result.
| Tottenham Recent Form | Opponent | Result | Competition |
| Jan 20 | Borussia Dortmund | 2-0 (W) | Champions League |
| Jan 17 | West Ham United | 1-2 (L) | Premier League |
| Jan 10 | Leeds United | 4-0 (W) | FA Cup |
| Jan 3 | Manchester City | 0-3 (L) | Premier League |
However, the internal harmony is not universal. One major point of contention involves young French talent Mathys Tel. The 20-year-old has had a turbulent time under Frank, often finding himself on the fringes of the starting lineup. Just as it seemed he was regaining favor having started the previous four matches he was shockingly removed from the club’s Champions League knockout squad for the matches against Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Tel is reportedly furious with this decision. Sources suggest that the youngster is now determined to leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium unless there is a change in the dugout. This creates a difficult dilemma for the board: do they back a manager who is struggling for consistency, or do they protect the future of a highly-valued young asset who feels marginalized?
The upcoming match against Burnley is now a massive crossroads. If Tottenham can build on their European success with a convincing Premier League win, the pressure on Frank may begin to dissipate. If they slip up against another team in the relegation zone, the “stay of execution” may end abruptly.
The Dortmund game proved that the players are still willing to fight for their coach, and the atmosphere in the stadium has improved, but the road back to total stability is still a long one.
Frank has taken a significant step in the right direction, but in the high-stakes world of North London football, one step is rarely enough to guarantee safety.
