Thomas Frank responds to ‘striking’ photo after Tottenham v Chelsea match
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has attempted to calm speculation surrounding a perceived moment of tension with defenders Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven after Spurs’ disappointing 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The result extended Tottenham’s poor home form, with the team still searching for their first home victory since the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
Despite the narrow scoreline, the match was largely one-sided, with Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea dominating possession and dictating play for long stretches. Tottenham once again looked sluggish and short of ideas in attack, failing to truly threaten the visitors. As the full-time whistle blew, frustration boiled over among supporters, with loud boos echoing around the ground—both at halftime and at the end of the match—signalling the growing dissatisfaction with the team’s performances in recent weeks.
Frank responds to boos from Tottenham supporters
Speaking after the game, Thomas Frank acknowledged the reaction from the fans and admitted that it was completely understandable given the team’s current struggles.
“One hundred percent, it’s natural,” Frank said when asked about the boos. “We all feel the frustration and emotions—that’s part of football. It’s extremely painful to lose, and it’s part of my job to sit here, answer questions, and try to make sense of it when we’re burning inside to fix things. We’ll go back, watch the game again, and look at what went wrong. The key is to stay calm and learn from it.”
The Danish coach didn’t shy away from admitting that Tottenham were outplayed on the day. “Chelsea were very good, and we were definitely second best. We lacked energy, intensity, and freshness. Their high pressing caused us real problems, and we didn’t handle it well enough.”
Spence and Van de Ven walk straight off as Frank applauds fans
Following the defeat, Frank made his way over to the home end to applaud the Tottenham supporters, acknowledging their continued backing despite another disappointing night in north London. However, several of his players were seen walking straight down the tunnel instead of joining him, with cameras capturing Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven among those who opted not to stay on the pitch.
The moment drew plenty of attention online, as Frank appeared visibly frustrated when the two defenders walked past him without acknowledging the fans. Some supporters on social media interpreted the incident as a possible sign of tension between the head coach and his players.
Frank denies any fallout with his defenders
When asked about the incident after the match, Frank was quick to dismiss any talk of a rift within the dressing room.
“All of the players are frustrated,” he explained. “They want to perform, they want to win, and I completely understand that. It’s difficult to stay consistent through good times and bad. That’s why I went to the fans—to show appreciation, even when it’s hard. It’s always easier when you’ve won, I can tell you that,” he added with a wry smile.
Frank went on to defend both Spence and Van de Ven, insisting that their reaction was simply a product of disappointment rather than disrespect. “Djed and Micky have been excellent for us this season. They’ve given everything, and like everyone else, they’re frustrated right now. Sometimes players deal with emotions differently, and that’s okay. I don’t think it’s a big issue at all—it’s just part of the game.”
Tottenham’s focus shifts to a crucial week ahead
The pressure will not ease any time soon for Frank or his squad. Tottenham are set for a busy and pivotal week, beginning with a Champions League home fixture against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday night, where a win will be crucial for their hopes of advancing from the group stage.
Just a few days later, Spurs will host Manchester United in a high-profile Premier League clash during the early Saturday kick-off. Frank will be eager to see a stronger response from his side, especially in front of their own supporters, as they look to rediscover the energy and sharpness that have been missing in recent weeks.
For now, the Tottenham boss insists that unity remains strong within the squad despite outside noise. “We’re all disappointed, but we’re in it together,” Frank said. “We’ll keep working, we’ll find the solutions, and we’ll fight to make our fans proud again.”