With all the talk surrounding Thomas Frank’s future at Tottenham lately, I thought it could be time to check in two other Spurs-related mangers whose jobs are also under scrutiny: Scott Parker and Ryan Mason. Both have failed to live up to expectations so far this season. Will either survive?
In the case of Parker, his Burnley side look doomed for relegation after a record-setting spell in the Championship last season. They’ve lost their last five matches after beating Wolves in late October. They now sit 19th in the Premier League and six points adrift of safety (plus a worse goal differential than Leeds).
For those who’ve followed Parker’s managerial career, one could make the argument that this isn’t very surprising. All that’s a shame because he is a fantastic dresser.
But look at his career: Promoted Fulham after a caretaker spell, relegated with Fulham and then left by mutual consent. Brought Bournemouth back to the Premier League in 2022, and then sacked after a dismal return to the Premier League. Then he had a strange stint with Club Brugge, an appointment that was never going to work out. It didn’t. He was sacked.
Now we’ve got a similar story brewing with Burnley. Parker guided Burnley back to the Premier League and is now flirting with relegation. This begs the question if he’s capable at managing in the Premier League. I do wonder if he’ll get the sack again (they should’ve beaten Forest for Sean Dyche). With a realistic shot at survival, one wonders if the higher-ups are considering it.
And then there’s Mason, who’s struggling in his first big-boy job at West Bromwich Albion. The Baggies entered the season with an eye on the playoffs at a minimum. They’re currently six points away and currently sitting in 16th place.
They were unlucky to lose to Coventry in November after blowing a 2-0 lead (owing to a stupid foul from Jayson Molumby).
And perhaps a 2-0 win against Sheffield United this past weekend gave Mace a little more breathing room, but how much? Aune Heggebo seems to be doing the most to salvage the season for Mason but there are challenging games coming up against Hull City, Bristol City and QPR before the a winnable game at Swansea.
I would think even mixed results there would put Mason in a difficult position because he’d have Leicester and Middlesbrough coming up right after that.
Fitzie’s track of the day: Cobra, by Geese
And now for your links:
Alasdair Gold: “Thomas Frank could be saved at Tottenham by crucial technicality ahead of transfer call”
BBC: “What fans, insiders and stats say about embattled Frank”
The Independent: “Enzo Maresca defiant over bombshell ‘worst 48 hours’ at Chelsea comment”