Thomas Frank is under pressure once again at Tottenham Hotspur with Oliver Glasner touted as a potential replacement.
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Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has admitted that recent woes with the club will not be a ‘quick fix’ following a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Spurs put in a whimpering performance as the hosts thrashed their opponents thanks to a brace from Callum Hudson-Odoi and a third through Ibrahim Sangare. It’s the sixth defeat of the season for the London outfit, who have now slipped down to 11th place.
It had been a strong start to life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Frank this summer but inconsistencies have emerged as the season carried on. Wins over Brentford and Slavia Prague had relieved pressure from the former Bees man but a fresh defeat this weekend prompts questions to be asked once again.
Steve Parish provides Oliver Glasner contract update
Spurs have stood by Frank so far but growing unrest from supporters brings about murmurings of a potential sacking. One of the touted frontrunners to replace Frank is Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner.
The Austrian has turned heads at Selhurst Park but is out of contract next summer and has been vocal in his criticism of a lack of backing in the transfer market. Crystal Palace won the FA Cup last season and are playing in the Europa Conference League this term.
The potential appointment of Glasner would no doubt tempt some Spurs supporters. Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish gave an update on Glasner’s future last week.
Parish said: “It’s nothing I didn’t think about or know [Glasner transfer criticism]. That’s how he felt at the time, and he’s perfectly entitled to say it. I don’t know that it’s always the most helpful thing because we have to stay positive, but 99 per cent of the time he does. It’s not a problem. If he didn’t say it, other people would.
“We’re in the muck and bullets of the season. It’s a difficult time to sit down and talk about these things [contract extension], but also, there’s no doubt that I’m sure he wants to see if it’s a place he wants to be at and if the circumstances are right for him.
“We are building a club which I believe is going to be institutionally capable of taking care of itself. We have to keep raising our ambition every year. I’d love that to be with Oliver, but he’s going to make the best decision for him. It isn’t always about what I can do. People can rest assured it isn’t going to be about money [for Glasner’s salary] or a desire on anyone’s part - everyone would love Oliver to stay at the club. The club will do everything within reason to achieve that.
“I know people want him to stay desperately, and I want him to stay desperately. We hope we get the outcome we want, but we plan for everything else as well.”
Thomas Frank ‘burning’ after Nottingham Forest defeat
Frank will look to bounce back from defeat at The City Ground when the side host Liverpool on Saturday evening before a busy run of fixtures over the New Year. Speaking after the loss to Nottingham Forest, Frank said he was ‘burning’ and ‘angry’ with the performance of his players.
He said: “We decided to throw the ball away to them 25 times. You can’t do that. If you play a game like we did, it is very disappointing and I am burning, angry. It’s not the first time we have seen it.
“I think I do everything to control my emotions. There is a hurricane inside me, because, it's deeply frustrating we are not doing better after three good performances. I think it is extremely important to be calm and measured and of course, have very direct and clear messages.
“We will say it at the right time, so they're not in doubt of what I think. I'm very honest about where we are as well. I was also very honest – this was a very bad performance. No two ways about that, but also know that to change this, this will take some time.
“No one will want to hear about that. It's just reality. I think the ones who have followed the club and the team, it's fair to say there's been a few not too consistent performances, and that's the thing. We are working very hard.”
In other news, The intriguing Tottenham and Crystal Palace player swap deal that would see both clubs sign top targets.