What Thomas Frank Kept Saying About Arsenal Which Infuriated Tottenham Players
Thomas Frank has been dismissed as Tottenham Hotspur manager, with the club confirming his departure on Wednesday morning following a dismal run of Premier League results. The decision came in the aftermath of Spurs’ home defeat to Newcastle United, a result that stretched their winless streak in the league to eight matches and left them hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Tottenham released an official statement explaining the reasoning behind the change in leadership. It read:
“The club has taken the decision to make a change in the Men’s Head Coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today.
Thomas was appointed in June 2025, and we have been determined to give him the time and support needed to build for the future together. However, results and performances have led the Board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary.
Throughout his time at the Club, Thomas has conducted himself with unwavering commitment, giving everything in his efforts to move the Club forward. We would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him every success in the future.”
Frank’s tenure in north London ultimately proved short-lived. Appointed in the summer of 2025 amid optimism following Tottenham’s Europa League triumph, the Danish coach was seen as a progressive appointment who could steady the club and guide them into a new era. While there were encouraging moments—particularly in European competition—domestic form deteriorated sharply over recent months. Spurs now find themselves languishing in 16th place with just 29 points, a mere five clear of the relegation zone, leaving the once-unthinkable prospect of Championship football a genuine concern.
In the wake of his dismissal, a striking report from The Telegraph has suggested that Frank’s repeated references to Arsenal—Tottenham’s fiercest rivals—played an unexpected role in his downfall. According to the report, what began as an awkward comment in his introductory press conference evolved into a source of frustration within the dressing room.
During his unveiling, Frank raised eyebrows when he remarked:
“I haven’t seen a team that is not losing any football matches. There is Arsenal, that we can’t mention, in the Premier League. So I made my first rookie mistake there.”
Though the comment was delivered with a degree of self-awareness, it appears the Arsenal theme persisted behind the scenes. The Telegraph claims Frank frequently spoke about the Gunners to his players, praising their quality even in the build-up to and aftermath of the North London derby at the Emirates Stadium. One unnamed source told the publication:
“He was constantly going on to the players about Arsenal and they quickly got sick of it. Even before and after the game at the Emirates, he was telling them how good Arsenal were. The feeling among some was very much ‘just shut up about Arsenal’.”
Such remarks reportedly did not sit well in a club where rivalry with Arsenal runs deep and emotions are rarely neutral. For some within the squad, the perception that their manager appeared overly focused on their arch-enemies created an unnecessary distraction during an already turbulent campaign.
Frank also sparked controversy among supporters earlier in the season when he was photographed drinking from an Arsenal-branded mug ahead of Spurs’ away clash against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in January. The image quickly spread across social media, provoking anger and ridicule in equal measure.
Addressing the incident, Frank insisted it was an innocent mistake.
“I definitely did not notice it,” he said. “It would be completely stupid of me to take it if I knew. It’s a little bit sad in football that I need to be asked about it. I would never do something that stupid.”
Despite his explanation, the damage to his public image among sections of the fanbase was already done. The photograph prompted a wave of photoshopped images portraying him as an Arsenal supporter. According to reports, these images circulated not only among Spurs fans but also internally among certain members of staff and players—an indication of how fragile his standing had become.
While Frank’s European record offered moments of encouragement—Tottenham showed resilience and tactical discipline in the Champions League—domestic struggles ultimately proved decisive. Defensive frailties, inconsistent attacking displays, and a growing lack of confidence saw Spurs slide alarmingly down the table. With the club sitting just five points above the drop zone, the board clearly felt they could not afford to wait any longer.
Attention now turns to who will succeed Frank in the Tottenham dugout. The club hierarchy are said to have already identified three prominent candidates admired by the board. GIVEMESPORT reports that Roberto De Zerbi, Mauricio Pochettino, and Andoni Iraola are the leading names under consideration.
De Zerbi is currently without a club after departing Marseille and would represent a bold, attack-minded option. Pochettino, who previously enjoyed a successful spell at Spurs and remains a popular figure among supporters, is currently in charge of the United States national team. Iraola, meanwhile, has impressed with his progressive style at Bournemouth and is viewed as one of the Premier League’s most promising coaches.
Whoever takes the reins will inherit a squad low on confidence and facing a critical stretch of fixtures. With relegation now a genuine threat rather than a distant fear, Tottenham’s next managerial appointment could define not only the remainder of this season but the club’s trajectory for years to come.