Thomas Frank and Tottenham: Should Time Be Nearly Up?

Is It Time To Go for Thomas Frank At Tottenham Hotspur?

Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur were comfortably beaten at the City Ground 3-0 by Nottingham Forest, a result which leaves the North London club 11th in the table after 16 game-weeks.

Defeat at The City Ground. pic.twitter.com/ucUJZT9nNi

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 14, 2025

The defeat is Spurs’ sixth already this campaign. With many of the Spurs support feeling time is up for Frank despite only joining the club in the summer after a hugely successful reign as boss of Brentford, where the Danish coach got the Brees promoted to the Premier League, and kept them there for three seasons before taking the job at Tottenham.

Frank’s appointment was met with mostly optimism from Tottenham supporters, who recognised and valued the job done in West London. However, despite having their worst Premier League season on record, many also believed Ange Postecoglou was wrongly dismissed due to ending the club’s 17-year trophy drought by winning the UEFA Europa League at the end of the 2024/25 season, and weren’t sure whether the decision to bring in Frank in favour of the Australian was correct.

Although, just like Postecoglou had done Frank started well. Winning four of his first five games in all competitions, including a victory over Manchester City at the Etihad in the second game of the Premier League season. However, that win was followed by their first defeat, a 0-1 loss to AFC Bournemouth at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and it was the manner of the defeat which was perhaps a warning of what was to come.

Struggling to Create

Frank’s side were outplayed by their visitors in almost every department, being out-shot six to eighteen, with Spurs only managing two on target throughout the match. Struggling to create and ultimately, and deservedly, falling to defeat.

And a lack of chance creation would go on to be a problem for Frank and Spurs later on in the campaign. As a London Derby match at home to Chelsea saw another 0-1 home defeat, with Spurs generating just 0.10xG during the match, their lowest ever on record. Managing just three shots all match, all three coming from winger Mohammed Kudus.

Tottenham generated just 0.10(xG) against Chelsea - their lowest total on record.

— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) November 1, 2025

Loud boos greeted Tottenham from supporters at the final whistle, and that match would prove to be the start of a horrible run of form for Tottenham. Who a couple weeks later would travel to the Emirates for Frank’s first North London Derby. And not only were they trashed 4-1, but they managed to only record 0.06xG, beating the club’s record lowest total set just a few weeks later.

In fact, the first half they created zero xG at all. And whilst it can be argued stats often only tell half the story in football, there is no doubt that Frank’s side have struggled to create for the majority of the season, leading to a lack of goals, and a lack of wins.

This was Tottenham’s lowest xG since records began. https://t.co/2OEPxtAoDi

— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) November 23, 2025

Home form has also been a big issue for Tottenham under Thomas Frank. Spurs have only won two Premier League games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium so far in 2025/26. Those two victories coming against Burnley on the opening day, and Brentford on 6th December. However, that particular problem goes beyond just Thomas Frank. As Tottenham only won two more home matches under Postecoglou since the turn of the year.

Should Frank be Under Pressure?

The fact for sure is that Tottenham have wider problems alongside the uncertainly over Frank’s position as manager. Aside from winning the Europa League, 2025 has been a disastrous year for Spurs all round, joining a team off the back of losing 22 Premier League games in 2045/25 was always going to be a risk for Frank. And whilst the early months and recent matches in particular have been concerning, it’s going to take more than a few months for Frank to make things work at Tottenham.

However, the facts don’t lie. Spurs are 11th in the table, far from where they would ideally want to be. The club are also 14th in the 2025/26 Premier League xG table, rank 13th for big chances created, and 17th for average shots on target per match.

🚨🚨 Tottenham created zero big chances vs Forest today. pic.twitter.com/9057fQvMDJ

— HotspurReports. (@hotspurreports) December 14, 2025

The stats show that under Frank, Spurs are far from near the top when it comes to attacking outlet. And their defence has not been brilliant at the other end either. With question marks rising especially over goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario following on from the defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Time will tell whether Frank will be able to turn things around in N17, but he’ll need to do it soon with pressure rising on the Dane heading into the new year...