The verdict from Tottenham fans was unequivocal. Inside the ground, on the trains home and everywhere you cared to look on the social media platforms, they were calling for Thomas Frank to be sacked.
Some leaving the stadium in the final minutes of Tuesday’s home defeat by Newcastle even turned on his analysis team who work from the back row of the press box. 'Are you the analysts?' one yelled. 'You should get sacked as well.'
It is beyond the personal. Spurs supporters have not warmed to Frank and in all probability most never will. Forget the style of play, reliance upon set-pieces versus open-play flair and a residual fear he will turn them into Brentford. This has become about survival.
They fear if nothing is done, they face relegation for the first time since 1977, and it is true they are sliding into peril at an alarming rate. Others around them are collecting points at a rate they are not. Even West Ham who appeared doomed when they lost at Wolverhampton Wanderers in early January.
Whatever Frank is eking out of his players in the Champions League, he cannot eke from them in the Premier League. They are easy pickings. Weakened by injuries, yes. Perhaps weak in character, too.
Ramon Vega, a former Spurs centre half and Switzerland international who is Frank’s most vocal critic, called on Tuesday night for the board and management of the club to ‘resign immediately’ on grounds of ‘neglect’.
Few were in the mood to disagree. Even those who realise the problems are more complex and run deeper than the identity of the head coach.
Arsenal are the next opponents. The strongest team in the country and very capable of inflicting serious damage on Spurs in this wounded condition, stripped of so many of their best players and utterly devoid of confidence or belief.
The argument for pulling the trigger on Frank now is enhanced by circumstances. Thanks to their elimination from the FA Cup in the third round, there is 12 days in which to change the mood music before the North London derby.
The Dane says he is determined to stay and believes ‘1,000 per cent’ that the board are prepared to give him time to sort out the mess but the argument for keeping him is fast withering.
His team might be performing well in Europe, but the Champions League last 16 is almost a month away. Premier League points are required as a matter of urgency. After Arsenal, a trip to Fulham and a home game against Crystal Palace before Liverpool away.
The last time things looked bleak for Frank’s future was the home defeat by West Ham on January 17. Since then, they have taken only one point from a possible nine. It doesn’t matter who they play. Traditional top six, safe in mid table or relegation rivals they are finding it impossible and are now eight without a win in the league.
What if Spurs do sack Frank? Is there someone who can take over on an interim basis and do what Michael Carrick has done for Manchester United? The absence of a clear interim candidate helped save him last time.
After West Ham, the board wavered but settled in behind Frank. Champions League form helped. Also, at the time, Spurs were 14th with the Hammers still 10 points behind. Nottingham Forest were five points behind.
As the dust settles on the Newcastle defeat, Spurs are 16th and West Ham are within five points. Forest will climb level on points if they beat rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers at the City Ground on Wednesday.
The margin for error has been eroded in a flash and Frank’s inability to arrest the slide tilts the argument in another direction. How can it be any worse? Keeping him in place becomes the risk.
Sporting director Johan Lange might be keen to keep the faith since, having made the recommendation, his own future will be very closely linked to that of his fellow Dane.
But can chief executive Vinai Venkatesham run the same risk? It would be bold, and seemingly unnecessary when Frank’s credibility with supporters is shot beyond redemption.
Most will not be happy if he is in charge at the start of next season unless he somehow wins the Champions League, which seems highly unrealistic.
All eyes are on Mauricio Pochettino, who has been fluttering his eyelashes at the idea of a romantic return to Spurs on the podcast circuit.
But Pochettino has a job in charge of World Cup hosts the United States. There is no prospect of a homecoming before that tournament in June.
Roberto De Zerbi has just split with Marseille, and impressed at Brighton but has a reputation for combustibility. His fiery touchline clash with then Spurs interim boss Cristian Stellini in 2023 went down badly among those in charge at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the time.
Whether it remains obstructive remains to be seen. There is a new regime at Spurs now. One thing about De Zerbi though, he will not tolerate the idea of coming to keep the seat warm for anyone else.
If it is not Pochettino next, then he will remain a distant problem for whoever it is. An exiled populist enjoying the long drumroll.
If it is to be time for the Pochettino sequel, then great but Spurs must still find someone to guarantee they beat the drop.
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