One senior first-team Tottenham Hotspur player has claimed that Thomas Frank was ultimately a coach for a “smaller team”, according to The Athletic.
Spurs players did not enjoy the limited nature of Frank’s football, and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium club decided to part with the Dane yesterday.
Tottenham players felt he mainly focused on compact defensive shape, long balls and counter-attacks.
He was unable to get the best out of the talent available to him, and the player in question felt that he was only able to perform at ’10 per cent’ of his potential because of Frank’s restrictive tactics.
Only two players – Pedro Porro and Joao Palhinha – have reacted on social media to his sacking, and it is safe to say he was not popular with most of the Tottenham stars.
He impressed at Brentford but could not manage Spurs well and the North London club will be wary of giving the job to a manager from a mid-table team.
Assistant Tottenham head coach John Heitinga is among the options being considered to replace Frank on a short-term basis, and the Dutchman has been taking first-team training since his departure.
Former Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi has been linked with the job, while Mauricio Pochettino is said to be keen on returning ahead of his contract with the United States Men’s National Team expiring at the end of the World Cup.
Spurs will not be short of options but will be careful about their next managerial appointment having ended up sacking recent bosses.