Just 4 minutes after the second half began in Tottenham Hotspur's 1-2 home defeat to Newcastle United, Spurs fans began to chant Mauricio Pochettino's name. Before that, in the first minute, the away team's stands also chanted Eddie Howe's name as a challenging support for the coach who is under pressure from Newcastle.
Who is standing on Thomas Frank's side? After another terrible performance, the Danish coach stood silently on the sidelines, his face empty, soaked in heavy rain and heard the harshest mockery from Tottenham fans themselves.
How long will this situation last? Senior decision-makers of the club understand that there is no quick way out of the current stagnation. Deep problems have existed since before Frank took office, and to this day they are still hesitant about sacking, because everyone knows stability is something Spurs have lacked for too long.
But when Frank was booed both during halftime and after the match, the short-term price is becoming painful. Tottenham has not won their last 8 matches in the Premier League - their longest winless streak since October 2008.
Frank once led Tottenham through an impressive UEFA Champions League group stage campaign, finishing in the top 4 and winning a direct ticket to the round of 16. However, if last season Spurs could sacrifice the domestic league to dream of European glory, this time they are not allowed to do so. Because the price could be relegation.
That is why Frank's seat fell into an unprecedented alarm. Spurs have only won 2 in their last 17 Premier League matches and only won 12 points during that time.
Frank once avoided the question of whether Tottenham was entering the relegation battle or not. But now he can hardly avoid it anymore. Spurs are currently only two places and 5 points ahead of the relegation group. Due to being eliminated early from the FA Cup, Tottenham will not play for the next 12 days, until they welcome their city rivals and league leaders Arsenal. Therefore, asking whether Frank will still lead the "Roosters" in that match is completely reasonable.
Yes, I am sure I can do it. I understand the question. It is easy to blame me, but never just the head coach, or the owner, or the board of directors, or the player, or the staff. But everyone.
If we do it properly, we can build something sustainable. Of course, we are not at the top right now. Everyone knows - the board of directors, owners, myself - our current position and what needs to be done better. And that is what we are trying our best to do.
I am 1000% sure that I am the right person to lead Tottenham. I am also 1000% sure that I never thought we would fall into this situation with 11, 12 injuries at the end of the season and what we have faced" - the Danish captain said.
Frank is facing two major problems. The first is the endless injury storm of the club when Wilson Odobert had to leave the field due to injury, making the situation even worse. The second is the view that sacking a coach in adversity is the optimal way out as many people still believe.
I understand the operating mechanism in football, needless to say. But I also think there are many studies showing that it is not necessarily the right thing to do.
I know that's the only movement they have, but there are also many cases where you shouldn't do that. And the only thing I focus on is fighting, doing the right thing with everyone" - Frank shared.
Finally, Howe himself spoke up to defend Frank: "They are lacking an incredible player list and I think that is really difficult.
I think he is an excellent coach. I have faced him many times. I think he has enough qualities to become a top coach for this club, and I hope he will have the opportunity to prove it.
As for Frank, he can only anxiously wait to see if his time is up or not.
