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Under-fire Tottenham manager Thomas Frank insists that West Ham skipper Jarrod Bowen should have been given his marching orders during his side's 2-1 defeat

Thomas Frank has claimed Jarrod Bowen could have seen red for his X-rated tackle on Xavi Simons. The unhappy Tottenham boss claimed the England forward was fortunate not to get sent off after his challenge during Saturday’s defeat to West Ham.

Tottenham midfielder Simons was sent off last month after a VAR check for a challenge on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. Simons is set to start against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night even though he could not train because of an ankle injury suffered in Bowen’s challenge.

Frank said: “Xavi was out there today but didn’t train today because that was a bad tackle from Bowen. Not that Bowen is a bad guy and would do anything intentional.

“A bad tackle from behind which injured his ankle, he has a swollen ankle but because he’s so strong mentally, he will play through pain tomorrow. So that’s big credit of course to Xavi.

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“And by the way, while we are there, I can’t understand why that isn’t a red card when a red card is when he accidentally put his foot on Van Dijk. Anyway, that is a bigger discussion.”

Simons insisted that Tottenham can still turn their season around despite the huge doubts over Frank’s future as manager.

Ex-Rb Leipzig star Simons said: “Yeah obviously we want to turn this around. Especially playing in the Champions League, it's the biggest stage. Me playing against Dortmund, I’ve played them already in Germany.

“It’s special but at the same time it’s like every game, every game is a big game for me and the team. We want to pick that moment to bring the three points home.

“At the end, I would say this is the highest level of football, and as we know as a group, we have to stick together. It's not only the coach, it's the whole club, I would say. And that's the most important thing.

“In football, we're playing every two or three days. And we have to stick together and to go on, and tomorrow we have another opportunity to win.”

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank wanted to add fit-again Dominic Solanke to his squad for the Champions League - and that meant Mathys Tel had to be sacrificed

Mathys Tel has been axed from Tottenham’s Champions League squad for a SECOND time. The £30m summer signing has been told he will not be included for Tottenham's showdown with Borussia Dortmund in favour of Dominic Solanke.

It is a hammer blow for the France under-21 international who was left out of their Champions League squad at the start of the campaign but got a reprieve and played against Slavia Prague last month. But that lasted for just one game because he has been dropped again because Solanke is fit again and it must throw a huge question mark over Tel’s future at the club.

It also comes amid a massive injury crisis at Tottenham which leaves them missing THIRTEEN players for their showdown with Dortmund which is crucial for their chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages.

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Tottenham boss Thomas Frank said: “Yeah, I made the decision. It was not a nice decision to have to make. Unfortunately that’s football, you have to make a decision. With the way the rules are, the only option was it was either Dom or Mathys in the squad.

I chose Dom because… I think Mathys has done very well in the last couple of games and that’s the crazy thing, if I could pick from all the players that are fit, then he would start tomorrow. But I can only pick between the two of them and now he is out of the squad. That’s of course a tough one to take for Mathys.”

Tottenham’s missing list includes Micky van de Ven who is suspended while Conor Gallagher is ineligible and Ben Davies has undergone ankle surgery.

Joao Palhinha is the latest injury casualty while Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma, Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur and Richarlison are all out.

Even Xavi Simons has been a doubt with an ankle injury but is set to play with Frank insisting he only has 11 fully fit players to choose from.

Frank said: “It never rains but it pours. Even the best coach in the world, you are nothing without your players, your best players and it’s fair to say they haven’t been available enough the whole season which makes it a little bit more tricky.”

Under-pressure Tottenham manager Thomas Frank says he can win back the fans and pleaded for their support ahead of what could be his final match in charge

The lunch date at the training ground probably felt more like the last supper. Thomas Frank has been left in the bizarre scenario where he is taking charge of Tuesday’s showdown with Borussia Dortmund but is unsure whether he will still have a job by the end of the week.

Frank admits he is in “stormy weather” but took a glimmer of hope from his lunch meeting with members of the club hierarchy at the training ground.

Spurs boss Frank met with chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, sporting director Johan Lange and Nick Beucher, son-in-law of co-owner Vivienne Lewis, on the eve of a game which could decide his future if that has not been done already.

Frank admitted that no assurances were given but still saw it as a positive because normally when a manager is about to be fired the directors are nowhere to be seen.

Frank said: “I haven't heard any situation like that in football where they say 'hey, mate, if you win tomorrow, no problem. If you lose tomorrow, no problem'.

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“We had a good conversation about life and football, the future of the club, everything normal, like you do. Of course, there's a little bit, how would we say, stormy weather out there.

“I just think it's an extremely good sign, because normally people are running away if there's bad news or bad weather coming, they're normally not coming in and being friendly for lunch.”

Even by football standards, it was an odd day for Frank who relied heavily on weather analogies amid his growing crisis at Tottenham.

There is a feeling that if there was an obvious caretaker or interim that Frank might have got his marching orders on Sunday following the defeat to West Ham which saw the crowd turn on the manager and the board.

But Frank was left to face the music on Monday and, when before he took the team for training, he was asked by photographers how he was. “I’m good, the sun is shining and we’re playing football,” he replied.

The reality was it was overcast and cloudy in North London and that has been the story of Frank’s seven month tenure. One win in his last eight games has left him on the brink.

Frank is a nice guy who probably is not a great fit for Spurs. His football is more about set-pieces than free-flowing entertainment. But you could only admire his “resilience” and determination to fight on.

When asked if he can turn it around, Frank said: “Yeah, I'm not in doubt of that. I think you can say in this game, you always need to show resilience. I listened to some interesting things the other day, where the three biggest things in showing resilience is one, you have good values.

“I see myself as a guy that has pretty good values. Two, you know reality. And reality is one in five people normally don't like you, no matter what you do. One in five love you, no matter what you do. Both of them probably biased either way too much.

“Then there's the three in five, that if you behave well, respectful, show integrity, do your best, normally that's the way. So no matter what you do, reality is someone will not like you.

“But I keep doing what I do, what I believe in. And then the last bit, by the way, have perspective in life, which I have in abundance. So, looking forward to the game tomorrow.”

Sadly, it is hard to believe one in five Spurs fans still love Frank. The biggest issue is that he appears to have lost the crowd. But he pleaded with the supporters to back the team against Dortmund.

Frank added: “The fans are crucial of course. I don’t see any club performing well without the fans supporting, helping and doing everything they can. It’s fair that it’s not been smooth and it’s not been as fluid as we want to. A little bit too much up and down.

“Unfortunately it’s a results business and there’s a lot of emotions in this as well but there’s a lot of signs it’s going the right way. Then of course when it’s a little bit tricky to play every third or fourth day, that makes it more difficult.

“We still need to find a way to get over the line but we’re much closer than we think and we just need to keep going.”

Thomas Frank is under mounting pressure at Tottenham after just two wins from the last 13 matches, with former Barcelona boss Xavi among potential replacements

As Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank continues to face mounting pressure, speculation has begun about who could replace the Dane in North London should his tenure come to an end. One name being mentioned is Xavi, who has been without a club since his spell as Barcelona manager came to an end in 2024.

Frank took over from Ange Postecoglou less than a year ago but now finds himself under scrutiny following a woeful league campaign. Saturday's home defeat to West Ham left Spurs languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table, with a return of just two home league wins all season a major factor.

Xavi has previously been linked with Premier League positions and was among the candidates mentioned as a potential successor to Enzo Maresca at Chelsea before the Blues appointed Liam Rosenior. There's no certainty he would accept the Spurs role if it were offered but the former Spain midfielder has expressed his ambition to eventually manage in England.

Xavi was asked by The Athletic in 2025 about an eventual return to the dugout. "Of course? Where, I don't know," he said.

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"There's no hurry for me, but I'd like a good project. Like, 'You have four years to work and make a project'. I'd love to work in the Premier League because I love the passion there. In Spain, it's too much about the result."

Xavi singled out Arsenal's Mikel Arteta as a manager who has been entrusted with a project. Now six years into his time as the Gunners' boss, Arteta has seen significant progress after an initially rocky start.

"Arteta with Arsenal – it's his sixth year with Arsenal and there were seasons when it was difficult, but his club trusted the process and continued. He's doing well. That doesn't happen in Spain," Xavi added.

Despite the recent home defeat and subsequent boos from the crowd, Frank may still lead Spurs into their Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. The loss marked West Ham's first league victory in over two months.

"It's tough to take, it hurts a lot," the manager told Sky Sports following the defeat. "The boys put everything in, and that's a sign of a squad that is fighting, doing everything they can to try and win. It's fair to say if there was to be a winner in the second half then it should have been us.

"The way we came back into it, the same as at Bournemouth, both games we lost in the last minute. That makes it emotionally tough for the players, me, the club, the fans, everyone. We conceded on a deflected shot and a last-minute corner, which we should have done better with."

Tottenham Hotspur are currently considering their options if they decide to part ways with under-fire manager Thomas Frank, with a five-man shortlist being drawn up, according to reports

Thomas Frank will remain in the hotseat for Tottenham Hotspur's clash with Borussia Dortmund - but there's allegedly a five-man shortlist Spurs could turn to should they choose to axe him.

Frank, 52, suffered a torrid weekend as relegation-threatened West Ham United defeated them 2-1 on home soil. With jeers and boos ringing around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the outlook appeared grim for the former Brentford boss.

It's also been reported that key figures at Tottenham have been conducting talks regarding his future at the club, despite him being anticipated to occupy the dugout when Spurs welcome Dortmund in the Champions League. Should Frank get the boot, Spurs have already identified five potential replacements, according to reports.

As per the Times, Johnny Heitinga, the recently dismissed former Ajax boss who now forms part of Frank's coaching staff, could be handed control if Frank receives his marching orders. Considering the Dutchman's difficulties at Ajax, this would probably only be on an interim basis.

Amongst the more long-term contenders is Andoni Iraola, but given he is extremely valued and respected at Bournemouth, it might prove challenging to tempt the Spaniard mid-season.

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There has also been speculation that Mauricio Pochettino features on the list, which would represent an incredibly emotional homecoming for the Argentine. Nevertheless, this would have to be delayed until after the World Cup at the very earliest, considering he is guiding the USA towards their home tournament.

Recently sacked former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso is also amongst the contenders and was discussed during a recent board meeting. Should he fancy taking on the north London role, he could do so immediately, as he is presently without a club.

Yet reports suggest he believes more attractive opportunities might arise if he holds off until the summer. Additional reports also suggest Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner could feature prominently on Spurs' wishlist.

The Austrian recently appeared poised to leave Selhurst Park, after he criticised the club for "abandoning" him and his squad with their decisions to offload Eberechi Eze in the summer and Marc Guehi in January. However, Palace and Glasner have apparently reconciled, and the FA Cup winner is now anticipated to stay in position until his contract expires at the end of this campaign.

Yet Frank remains convinced that he can reverse fortunes in north London. He remained bullish when questioned about his future following the damaging defeat to West Ham.

He declared: "If you're not winning enough, we know that you're not getting enough support from the fans. But when we're winning, it will change when we start winning again, which we will do.

"Not in doubt of that. I also think you can look a little bit at the performances, let's say the Bournemouth and the Villa and this game here, if the players stop running or stop doing anything or not working hard, and we were not the team that was closest to winning, then you can say, okay.

"But I think the team is working very hard and I still think, and I know it sounds a little bit crazy, that we're closer to something very good than further away."

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank is under pressure after a string of poor results this season including the Premier League defeat to West Ham United on Saturday

Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney has opened up about the pressure Thomas Frank is under amid speculation about his position as Tottenham Hotspur manager. The 52-year-old has found it difficult to turn things around since arriving at the club last summer, with the Spurs board now weighing up his future.

Saturday's loss to West Ham United left Spurs languishing in 14th place in the Premier League standings, having secured only seven victories from 22 matches this campaign. Significant portions of the Tottenham support have already turned against the Danish manager, with chants of 'you're getting sacked in the morning' ringing out during the closing moments of the West Ham defeat.

Tottenham have managed just a single win in their past eight fixtures and have been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions. The Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund this week could prove pivotal to their chances of advancing in the competition.

Rooney reckons Frank will sense that a managerial change is on the cards and confessed he understands that feeling following his own dismissal as Plymouth manager last year. Speaking on Match of the Day, Rooney said: "I've seen Thomas Frank at the end of the game and I felt for him. I've been in that position and it's not a nice place to be.

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"It's a lonely place to be sometimes and especially when he'll be feeling that a change is coming. I think the Tottenham fans have spoken.

"We've seen it before with the Tottenham fans and they're not happy with what's going on. Unfortunately, when that happens, it looks like he'll lose his job.

"I've stood at Elland Road [when Birmingham City manager] and I knew it was coming just after New Year. New Year's Day actually I think.

"Yeah, you know and it's not a nice feeling because you want the ground to swallow you up."

Spurs have endured a torrid run, losing eight of their past 14 matches and securing victory in only two of their last 13 top-flight encounters, with Frank acknowledging that responsibility rests with him. Following the loss to West Ham, he admitted: "Of course, I've probably had better times.

"It's probably not the best time of course, but I understand, I'm the man in charge, so the blame will go to me. That's fair.

"No problem in that sense. As long as they are backing the players, doing everything they can to support them and drive them forward, that's what we do and we will keep going forward."

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Thomas Frank is in serious jeopardy of losing his job as Tottenham boss following Spurs' home defeat by rivals West Ham on Saturday

Thomas Frank is fighting to save his job as Tottenham boss. Spurs have been determined to give Frank every chance to succeed but there is growing concern within the club about results.

That has left Frank in serious jeopardy as it is believed his future has been discussed at board level.

Frank is hoping to still be in charge for Tottenham’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night but that has now become a massive game for the under-fire boss.

Tottenham have managed just one win in their last eight games and the fans have turned on him as they chanted: “You’re getting sacked in the morning” after their latest home defeat to West Ham on Saturday.

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Frank insisted after the game that he retains the support of the club hierarchy and is determined to turn things around.

But there was a fan protest on Saturday before the game and that has turned up the heat on the Dane who has been in charge for just seven months.

Tottenham chief executive Vinai Venkatesham was at the club’s training ground on Sunday morning amid Frank coming under increasing scrutiny.

Venkatesham penned an open letter to fans which was printed in Saturday’s programme as he stressed they want to stick to a long-term plan and also improve engagement with fans.

The supporters are making their views clear and that is a major concern especially as even season ticket holders have to buy their own seats for Champions League games.

The Borussia Dortmund game could be a barometer while they also face a tricky trip to Burnley next Saturday.

Tottenham fans called for Thomas Frank to be sacked as manager after watching their side slump to an agonising 2-1 home defeat to London neighbours West Ham

Thomas Frank insists that results will change after Tottenham fans called for him to be sacked. The under-fire Dane headed into Saturday's clash with West Ham desperate for a win to ease speculation around his future.

However, an injury-time Callum Wilson goal earned the Hammers a valuable 2-1 victory in their fight against relegation. But for the furious home support, it was another miserable afternoon, with many chanting 'You're getting sacked in the morning'."

But Frank, who has watched his side fail to win their first five matches of 2026, is adamant that his players are close to turning around results, which will do the same to the mood of fans.

He said: "If we're winning it will change [the reaction of the fans] and we will. I still think we are closer [to turning things around] than further away.

"We seem to be in the perfect storm at the moment. A last minute defeat and when everyone feels they have given everything, including the fans, and you get a sucker punch, it's unbelievably tough to take for them, the players and me. I can promise it's extremely tough for me as well."

On the chants themselves, he continued: "Of course, I've probably had better times, it's probably not the best time of course. But I understand, I'm the man in charge. So the blame will go to me. That's fair, no problem in that sense.

"As long as they are backing the players, doing everything they can, to support them and drive them forward, that's what we do, and we will keep going forward."

The Hammers had taken the lead in the opening exchanges through Crysencio Summerville, before Cristian Romero equalised in the second half. But with Spurs pushing for a winner, they were dealt a sucker punch after Wilson bundled home following a corner.

Crest-fallen Spurs looked shell-shocked at the final whistle and Frank admitted that he had no issues with his players' commitment.

Frank added: If you are building a good culture and someone who can get through tough times, you need to see the team running, and especially in tough times. I see a team that is running in tough times.

"I also see a team that's doing everything they can to turn this around. I also think you can see that in quite a bit of the performances, even when it's very tough."

Spurs skipper Romero described the defeat as a disaster, but pleaded with fans to stick together through a difficult patch which has seen them drop to 14th in the Premier League table.

"In this moment we need to stay together, work hard, come back tomorrow to the training ground. It's a disaster in this moment for us," Romero explained.

"Thank you to the fans for always staying with us. Tomorrow we will train in silence, work hard again, midweek we have another big match. At this moment this is a disaster for us."

TOTTENHAM 1-2 WEST HAM: Both sides came into this London Derby in desperate need of a positive result, but for Thomas Frank it was only more misery after conceding an injury-time goal

Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse for Thomas Frank's Tottenham - they sunk to a new wretched low.

Callum Wilson's scrappy stoppage-time winner could well prove to be the goal that not only sparks West Ham's survival bid into life but also costs Frank his job. A pre-match anti-ENIC protest outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium barely took off due to a lack of numbers.

If things do not change quickly, it won't be long before the Europa League winners are looking nervously over their shoulder.

The ridiculousness of it all is that within the past year, fans have seen their two biggest wishes granted - a trophy and the departure of Daniel Levy - yet the club somehow look worse for it.

This was also a moment of redemption for ex-Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo. Not only were his side winless in 10 Premier League matches but they had also lost all six of their top-flight games against fellow sides from the capital this season.

They were deservedly ahead through Crysencio Summerville's opener and pegged back by Cristian Romero before snatching all three points just minutes from time through sub Wilson.

It was a sign of things to come that luckless Tottenham's new arrival Conor Gallagher was floored with a head injury inside the opening 15 seconds.

He soldiered on but just as the dazed midfielder came back to his senses, he was ruthlessly exposed for West Ham's opener.

Summerville danced inside Pedro Porro and then Gallagher before his shot deflected off the unfortunate Micky van de Ven and wrong-footed Guglielmo Vicario.

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For large spells of the first half, Spurs, who also lost Ben Davies to a serious injury, were bullied on their own patch by their relegation-threatened rivals and there was an embarrassing lack of control. It was incredibly damning how crisis-hit West Ham looked so threatening.

The hosts almost levelled when Alphonse Areola pulled off a stunning double save to deny Wilson Odobert and Djed Spence but the purring Irons could easily have doubled their advantage before the interval.

Konstantinos Mavropanos forced a fine diving save from Vicario before Taty Castellanos missed a sitter from close-range at the far post.

Tottenham were revitalised after the break and remarkably, Frank's decision to sub Mathys Tel - the Frenchman shook his head furiously - angered and revved up the home crowd.

Just minutes after Van de Ven had denied Summerville with an excellent last-ditch challenge, Spurs equalised through Romero. They were in desperate need of some inspiration and the Argentine stood up to the plate, rising high and burying Porro's teasing delivery with his head.

For a brief moment, it looked as though Tottenham were set to be handed a reprieve when Oliver Scarles appeared to flick a bouncing ball with his finger on the byline.

Despite a VAR review, common sense prevailed and no penalty was awarded before West Ham hero Wilson stabbed in the winner after Vicario had failed to deal with a corner.