Will Thomas Frank be the next Premier League manager to get the sack?

Thomas Frank sat 11th in the Premier League table after Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-0 victory over Brentford, his former club, and the first home win since beating Burnley on the opening day of the season. 

For a manager who arrived in north London with a reputation for overachieving and a CV that included competing with Paris Saint-Germain in the Super Cup final, it’s been far from the ideal start.

The Dane arrived with big plans. Many Spurs fans thought they had finally found control after the full-throttle approach of Ange Postecoglou, whose Europa League triumph could not save him from the sack. But it’s not entirely worked out. 

Frank has, at times, looked like a man struggling to adapt to the size of the Spurs task after working in a lower-profile role at Brentford. 

The club’s hierarchy is keen to back him, though they are also aware of the disconnect that has existed with supporters, a disconnect that some bookies have suggested could lead to him getting the sack.

Why the Pressure?

With four managers already gone, the Premier League’s mid-table is a minefield, separated by only a handful of points. Many UK betting sites have Frank among the favourites to be next.

The pressure valve has been released by the manner in which Spurs fought back to earn a point at Newcastle United, Cristian Romero salvaging a 2-2 draw, before securing a fully-deserved win against his former club. 

Two weeks ago, the relations between the Dane and supporters questioning his credentials hit a low when he claimed those who jeered goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario after his mistake in the defeat against Fulham were not “true Tottenham fans”. 

Criticising your own support is a hazardous strategy and often ends very badly. For many Spurs fans, it felt like a manager who still does not understand the magnitude of the job. 

Which Other Premier League Managers Face The Sack?

Frank is far from alone. Other managers are under pressure too. Arne Slot at Liverpool, for example, saw the Reds throw away a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Leeds on Saturday. Sitting eighth, they have won just four of their last 15 games across all competitions. 

Mohamed Salah’s explosive interview, where the Egyptian said he had been “thrown under the bus” and that his relationship with Slot had broken down, has thrown the defending champions into crisis. 

Salah hinted the Brighton game could be his last for the Reds before the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving Liverpool facing an active January window without their talisman.

It’s remarkable to think Slot, who turned down Spurs before joining Liverpool, could be out of work just eight months after winning the Premier League. But in modern football, results and fractured relationships outweigh sentiment.

Scott Parker at Burnley also faces a tough spell. The Clarets have endured a brutal fixture list, and Parker’s previous Premier League stints with Fulham and Bournemouth both ended in relegation. 

Burnley’s Championship-style defensive approach is proving unsustainable in the top flight. Parker remains a likeable figure, fondly remembered from his Spurs days, but it’s hard to see how long the Clarets can resist making a change if results don’t improve.

How to Turn It Around

Against Brentford, Spurs won the physical battles and moved the ball with urgency – qualities missing in recent weeks. Mohammed Kudus and Simons impressed, Richarlison ran tirelessly, and Rodrigo Bentancur made some crucial block and interceptions, offering the defensive stability that has been absent for much of the campaign.

Tottenham finally delivered a convincing performance, securing a much-needed home win. Simons made a strong first impression after his recall, while the team displayed fluid and incisive attacking play. 

The 16-week wait for a home league win is the longest drought since 2008, a statistic that has amplified scrutiny on Frank’s tactical approach and team selection.