Thomas Frank has slammed fans who booed Guglielmo Vicario after the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper's blunder in a 2-1 home defeat to Fulham on Saturday. The Italian shot-stopper was caught in no man's land when he went to clear the ball and ended up gifting the visitors a second goal.
Vicario raced out of his goal to deal with a loose ball, but he took too long on the ball before mistakenly sending it straight to the Cottagers, and Harry Wilson found the back of the net from long range. The 29-year-old was left with egg on his face, and the home supporters weren't impressed.
Spurs fans were heard booing every time Vicario touched the ball or was in possession, and he wasn't the only one to incur the wrath of the North Londoners' fanbase. Pedro Porro was involved in a feisty exchange at full-time, but Frank focused on defending his goalkeeper.
Tottenham 1-2 Fulham: Frank Calls Out Vicario Boo Boys
Vicario has been Spurs' number one since arriving from Empoli in the summer of 2023, and he was making his 93rd appearance for the club tonight. But he endured a night to forget, as did Frank, who is already feeling the heat just 13 games into his reign in North London.
Frank came out fighting in his post-match interview with Sky Sports, launching a staunch defence of Vicario and hitting out at those who booed the Italian. He told Sky Sports:
"I didn't like that our fans booed at him [Vicario] straight after, and a few times he touched the ball. They can't be true Tottenham fans because everyone supports each other when you are on the pitch. And we do everything we can to perform. After, fair enough, boo, no problem. But not during. That's unacceptable in my opinion."
Spurs fans online hit back at Frank with one writing:
"Spurs fans pay a lot of money to attend games. How dare Thomas Frank say that any spurs fan who booed Vicario or booed during the game isn’t a true Tottenham fan. Sack this coach. He’s a disgrace. Any fan who pays money every week to come watch this rubbish can boo who they like."
Another added:
"Thomas Frank having a go at the fans… you couldn’t write it — treating us like school kids. “One incident I hope it doesn’t happen again” You are not fit to wear the badge, neither is Vicario."
One replied:
"Thomas Frank having a dig at the people who pay his wages......won't be there much longer. See ya."
Vicario looked nervous as the game progressed, but he wasn't the only Spurs man to disappoint on the night. There were several occasions when Fulham eased their way through Frank's defence, and Micky van de Ven spared their blushes with two crucial tackles.
The defeat means the Lilywhites are 10th after 13 games and have won just one home game. They have lost three on the bounce against London rivals following disastrous defeats to Chelsea (1-0) and Arsenal (4-1).
"I'm a Big Man" - Vicario on Boos
Vicario also took an interview and was asked about the booing, to which he responded by acknowledging the difficult period his team are experiencing:
"Look it's part of football, so now I'm a big man, I'm quite honest, so what can I say. Sometimes they have the right to do what they think. We had to try and focus on ourselves... Today, of course, it's a bad defeat."
Michael Dawson, who spent years representing Spurs in the Premier League, questioned fans booing their own player with so long left on the clock. He said, "He still has another 85 minutes to play. It's negativity."
Vicario will hope to still have Frank's faith and put tonight behind him when his side travel to St James' Park to face Newcastle United on Tuesday (December 2). His manager needs a positive result and performance amid a disappointing start, with toxicity taking hold.