EDP24

An eye-catching exchange occurred moments after full-time as boos echoed around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when Frank urged stand-in captain Van de Ven and Spence to applaud the home fans.

Van de Ven and Spence instead ignored the Spurs boss before they headed straight down the tunnel, with Frank left staring in their direction, but ahead of Tuesday’s visit of Copenhagen in the Champions League, the 52-year-old confirmed the matter was closed.

“Micky and Djed came into my office yesterday unprompted and said they want to say sorry for the situation,” Frank explained.

“They didn’t want it to look bad or disrespectful and all the kind of perceptions you can get in this media world. So, that was not their intention at all towards me, or the team or the club.

“They were just frustrated with the performance, the loss and the booing during the game.

“We all have a perception and we are very good to have that strongly that, ‘ah that is because whatever, because their mum wasn’t well or they didn’t like the head coach or they were irritated with the performance, or because they lost’. We are very, very good at that but none of us knows.

“That would be my first question to them – how and why? Of course I am happy, because I knew the question would come today, that they were coming in (already).

“It means they care and I think that is very good. They care about the team, the club and in this case me, so happy with that.

“That is very good and we had a good talk about a lot of things, but like everything we will keep it internally.

“Like I said to the players when I said before, it would be very, very, very unusual if I ever throw a player under the bus. We are all humans but I will always protect them.”

Spence is a doubt for the visit of Copenhagen after he sat out training on Monday along with Mohammed Kudus, but Frank confirmed they “could and should” feature on Tuesday.

Quizzed on if the matter with Van de Ven and Spence was now closed after both apologised, Frank added: “For me? Ah yeah. 100 per cent (closed).”

Even if Spence and Kudus do recover to face Copenhagen, Tottenham could be without 10 players due to Lucas Bergvall being ruled out with concussion.

Bergvall took a blow to the back of the head from a clearance by Enzo Fernandez in the fourth minute against Chelsea and despite being eager to carry on, Spurs’ medical staff decided otherwise after doing a concussion test.

The Swedish midfielder will now miss the visit of Copenhagen and the home clash with Manchester United on Saturday.

“Djed and Mo got a knock. They could and should be available,” Frank confirmed.

“Lucas got concussion. Big praise to the medical team because it’s a tricky situation to be in.

“Everything is on it so well done to them because the players’ health is the most important thing.

“He’s out for the next two games.”

Spurs addressed media speculation over a proposed £4.5billion takeover bid on Friday with a statement via the London Stock Exchange that majority owners ENIC – run by the Lewis family trust – “is not looking to sell its stake” in the club.

The statement confirmed an informal expression of interest to acquire shares in Tottenham by a consortium led by American tech entrepreneur Brooklyn Earick had been “unequivocally rejected” by ENIC.

ENIC issued a similar statement earlier this month which confirmed expressions of interest by Amanda Staveley’s PCP International Finance and a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited were also rejected.

Takeover speculation has increased since the sudden departure of Daniel Levy on September 4 after 24 years as chairman. It was a move designed to help Tottenham target “more wins, more often” according to a source close to the Lewis family.

Ahead of Saturday’s visit of Wolves, the third home fixture since a restructure of key roles which has left the Lewis family trust with greater power, Frank talked up their long-term ambitions.

Frank said: “Very, very invested. 120 per cent committed to the club.

“They really want to achieve something special, want to build and want to add. Again, I think I like the phrase building layers because you never go to the top. You can’t jump five steps. That’s impossible.

“So, building layers, I think, is very important. I think that’s also more organic and more sustainable over time, but they’re very, very focused on what they can do to help the club.”

Vivienne Lewis, the daughter of Joe Lewis, who was previously Spurs’ majority owner before his shares were moved into a family trust in 2022, has been in the directors box alongside chief executive Vinai Venkatesham in recent matches.

Even though she was always understood to be a prominent figure at the club behind the scenes, Frank welcomed her growing presence.

“I think it’s important to be visible,” Frank admitted.

“If you’re an owner or you’re a leader or you’re something else, I think it’s important to be visible so people can see you. So, I think it’s positive.”

Frank confirmed on Friday that “informal chats” had occurred with various members of the Lewis family, but a longer discussion with them to discuss their long-term plans is yet to be pencilled in.

He added: “The Lewis family has been very transparent, very good in the way they have communicated and it’s very clear the club is not for sale.

“Vinai on top of everything is very clear and for me personally, I feel in a very stable environment going into work every day.”

Asked about his dialogue with the Lewis family, Frank revealed: “We have had more informal chats.

“Of course it’s about football, the club and the team and all that, but the bigger plans is something we’re working along with and I think it’s important to get to know each other and align everything.”

Dominic Solanke will miss Saturday’s visit of Wolves with an ongoing ankle problem.

“It’s still not a big thing,” Frank insisted. “I expect him back as soon as possible.”

A report in The Sun on Thursday night stated American tech entrepreneur Earick was ready to launch an overall £4.5billion takeover bid for the Premier League club.

Spurs’ majority owners ENIC, which is run by the Lewis family trust, earlier this month rejected expressions of interest from Amanda Staveley’s PCP International Finance and a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited.

A club statement at the time insisted “Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale” and a source close to the Lewis family reiterated that message on Thursday night to the PA news agency.

ENIC owns 87 per cent of Spurs, but due to the remaining shares being publicly traded, the club is subjected to the UK Takeover Code. This means any expression of interest or bid must be lodged with the Takeover Code panel and made public.

On Friday, a statement by the board of Tottenham on London Stock Exchange read: “The club is aware of recent media speculation and confirms that its majority shareholder, ENIC Sports & Developments Holdings Ltd (“ENIC”), has received, and unequivocally rejected, an informal expression of interest in relation to a proposal to acquire the entire issued, and to be issued, share capital of the club from a consortium led by Mr Brooklyn Earick.

“The board of the club and ENIC reconfirm that Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale and ENIC is not looking to sell its stake in the club.”

The Sun claimed Earick – who was involved earlier this year in a failed acquisition of Formula E team Maserati – was set to launch a £3.3bn takeover bid with a number of NFL and NBA investors, with a further £1.2bn set aside as transfer funds for new boss Thomas Frank.

If the overall £4.5bn package were successful, it would have exceeded Todd Boehly’s takeover of Chelsea for £4.25bn in 2022.

The Lewis family trust earlier this month asked Daniel Levy to step down from his role as Tottenham chairman after 24 years due to a desire for the club to target “more wins, more often”.

Levy revealed last year the club were in talks with “prospective investors” over selling a minority share, although discussions involving Qatar Sports Investments were denied.

PA understands the Lewis family trust is open to external investment, but the main focus is on providing the required support to new non-executive chairman Peter Charrington, chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and head coach Frank, all whom have been appointed in 2025, to help deliver greater on-field success.

A source close to the Lewis family told PA: “This unsolicited and unnecessary interest does nothing to change the family’s resolve and commitment to do whatever it takes to drive success on the pitch. The club is not for sale.”

Frank was asked about the takeover bid during Friday’s press conference, and said: “The Lewis family has been very transparent, very good in the way they have communicated and it’s very clear the club is not for sale.

“Vinai, on top of everything, is very clear and for me, personally, I feel in a very stable environment going into work every day.”

The Sun reports a consortium headed by tech entrepreneur Brooklyn Earick is looking to buy the club, weeks after two expressions of interest were “unequivocally rejected” by Spurs’ majority owners ENIC, which is run by the Lewis family trust.

A club statement at the start of September said “Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale” after Amanda Staveley’s PCP International Finance and a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited were revealed to be interested in acquiring the north London club.

ENIC owns 87 per cent of Spurs, but due to the remaining shares being publicly traded, the club is subjected to the UK Takeover Code.

Therefore, any expression of interest or bid must be lodged with the Takeover Code panel and made public, but PA understands the Lewis family trust has not been made aware of any consortium being ready to buy Tottenham.

A source close to the Lewis family on Thursday night reiterated the club is not for sale.

The Sun claims American Earick – who was involved earlier this year in a failed acquisition of Formula E team Maserati – will launch a £3.3bn takeover bid with a number of NFL and NBA investors, with a further £1.2bn set aside as transfer funds for new boss Thomas Frank.

If the overall £4.5bn package were successful, it would exceed Todd Boehly’s takeover of Chelsea for £4.25bn in 2022.

The Lewis family trust earlier this month asked Daniel Levy to step down from his role as Tottenham chairman after 24 years due to a desire for the club to target “more wins, more often”.

Levy revealed last year the club were in talks with “prospective investors” over selling a minority share, although discussions involving Qatar Sports Investments were denied.

PA understands the Lewis family trust is open to external investment, but the main focus is on providing the required support to new non-executive chairman Peter Charrington, chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and head coach Frank, all whom have been appointed in 2025, to help deliver greater on-field success.

Boss Thomas Frank had promised to have a decent crack at the competition this season and he was as good as his word as Joao Palhinha’s improvised strike, a Jay McGrath own goal and Brennan Johnson’s stoppage-time breakaway disposed of League One Rovers.

Frank named a strong side including Pedro Porro, Xavi Simons and Rodrigo Bentancur, and they should have led inside three minutes after Archie Gray fed Johnson down the right.

Mathys Tel only needed to get a touch on Johnson’s low cross six yards out but the French forward missed the ball completely.

Frank had given Doncaster permission to play their on-loan winger Damola Ajayi against his parent club.

That act of generosity almost backfired when the teenager hooked the ball across goal, only for Toyosi Olusanya to fluff his header at the far post.

Instead Spurs went ahead in the 14th minute after Rovers goalkeeper Ian Lawlor missed his punch at a corner.

Sean Grehan headed the loose ball off the line but only as far as Palhinha, who hooked an overhead kick back over the defender and into an empty net.

Spurs doubled their lead three minutes later when Wilson Odobert raided down the left and sent in another low cross.

Doncaster defender McGrath was unable to sort his feet out in time and succeeded only in bundling the ball into his own net.

The Premier League side sensed they could end the tie as a contest before half-time, but Lawlor made good saves to deny Tel and Gray while Bentancur’s header from a corner floated just wide.

And Rovers almost pulled one back before the break when Owen Bailey’s Paolo Di Canio-style volley was tipped onto a post by Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky.

That was the only moment of mild peril Spurs faced, however, and Frank was able to shuffle his pack by sending on Lucas Bergvall and Richarlison for the final 30 minutes as well as handing a late debut to 16-year-old Luca Williams-Barnett.

They should have had a third when Bergvall drilled in a low cross from the right, but Tel knew it was not his night when he came up with another air shot from six yards.

Instead, Johnson wrapped things up in stoppage time after being sent racing through on goal by Bergvall.

Spurs sent out versatile attacker Ajayi on loan in July and in a strange twist of fate the 19-year-old will take on his current employees this week.

Ajayi made a name for himself last January with a superb debut strike in his only first-team appearance for Tottenham in a 3-0 win over Elfsborg and will aim to make more headlines after he was granted permission to feature for Rovers.

Frank said: “I think it’s OK. He’s on loan at another club.

“I know the Premier League have this (rule) if you’re on loan from a club, you’re not allowed to play.

“We decided to loan him out because it was good for his development. I’ve done that…a lot of times at Brentford, but we haven’t been that lucky to face one of our own players.

“It is what it is. I think it’s a great opportunity for him.”

Frank promised to select a “strong” Spurs team for the visit of Doncaster, but will shuffle his pack and confirmed Antonin Kinsky will start in goal.

Tottenham will be without Ben Davies and Randal Kolo Muani, but Kota Takai and Dominic Solanke could be on the bench after they trained on Tuesday.

Spurs ended a 17-year wait for silverware in May with Europa League success, but Frank is well aware of the desire to add further trophies.

“Of course I’d like to win. No doubt about that. For me, I think we probably need to take one game at a time,” Frank reflected.

“I’m very aware (of the expectation). I think it’s that balance that as I said, I would like us to get there where we can compete in all four tournaments throughout the year.

“If you want to compete in all four tournaments, you need to be good enough to pick the right team every single time. And I promise you before I pick the team, it looks like an unbelievably good plan.

“I think we’re also aware that no players can play 60 games x 90 minutes. So, it’s that balance we need to hit throughout the season. Not only because we are facing Doncaster.

“We need to hit that perfect number of players that rotates and then a strong team. And it will be a strong team.”

Thomas Frank’s Spurs claimed three points on their Champions League return after the visiting goalkeeper spilled Lucas Bergvall’s fourth-minute cross in comical fashion, but it was Villarreal team-mate Partey who later took centre stage.

The former Arsenal midfielder was introduced with 12 minutes left to loud boos a month on from his appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court on August 5 – where he was charged with five counts of rape as well as a charge of sexual assault.

The lawyer for Partey, Jenny Wiltshire, has previously said he “denies all the charges against him” and he is due in court again on Wednesday morning – a matter of hours after this Champions League tie.

In the end Partey had no decisive say on the fixture as Spurs held on for a fourth victory under Frank despite only one shot on target in front of a low crowd of 54,755.

Tottenham were back in Europe’s elite competition for the first time since a 0-0 draw at home to AC Milan in March 2023 and this time only needed four minutes to score after a 932-day wait.

It was a moment to forget for Luiz Junior, who claimed Bergvall’s cross ahead of Richarlison but allowed the ball to spill out of his grasp and across the line in agonisingly slow fashion.

Spurs boss Frank – in his maiden Champions League fixture – almost turned away before he realised that he could celebrate.

It capped a bright opening few minutes for Tottenham as home debutant Xavi Simons drilled over, but Villarreal soon started to cause problems.

Ex-Arsenal attacker Nicolas Pepe blocked out boos to cut inside Cristian Romero and sent a shot wide via a touch by Micky van de Ven.

Pepe then picked out Tajon Buchanan, who fired off target from a promising position.

Referee Rade Obrenovic took centre stage soon after with four yellow cards in quick succession but amidst the flurry of bookings, Pape Sarr had a low strike saved by Luiz Junior and Richarlison had a penalty appeal waved away.

Pape Gueye had barged into the Spurs forward but avoided punishment, as he did again after an accidental handball in the 42nd minute.

Tottenham squandered two more openings before half-time as Xavi and Richarlison sent efforts wide and Villarreal returned with better intent.

Not long after Partey warmed up for the first time to loud boos, Juan Foyth headed wide before Pepe fired off target.

Spurs were being punished for sloppiness in possession and Xavi was fortunate in the 66th minute when he caught Pepe but referee Obrenovic ignored Villarreal protests about a potential second yellow card and instead booked away boss Marcelino.

Xavi had another close shave when he brought down Ilias Akhomach inside the area before Partey was sent on in the 78th minute.

A flurry of chants about the former Arsenal midfielder followed but it was another player once of the red side of north London that almost produced the leveller.

Micky van de Ven brought down Georges Mikautadze on the edge of the penalty area – a foul which may have been worth of a red card – and Pepe curled the subsequent free-kick from 20 yards inches wide.

Three minutes were added but Tottenham held on to make it four wins out of six under new boss Frank.