Thomas Frank (53), the Tottenham manager facing dismissal amid Tottenham's slump, cast the blame for the defeat as a lingering image from the tenure of former manager Ange Postecoglou (61), creating a peculiar nuance.
Tottenham, led by Frank, lost 1-2 at home to Newcastle United in the 2025-2026 English Premier League (EPL) round 26 match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, on the 11th (Korean time).
Following the 0-2 defeat to Manchester United, Tottenham suffered consecutive losses and fell to 16th in the league (29 points), narrowing the gap to the relegation zone team West Ham United (24 points) to just five points.
On the day, Tottenham conceded the opening goal to Malik Tiaou late in the first half, then Archie Gray scored an equalizer in the second half to mount a comeback. But Tottenham conceded the winning goal to Jacob Ramsey and fell to their knees at home.
Despite lifting the UEFA Europa League trophy last season, Tottenham under Postecoglou narrowly avoided relegation by finishing 17th in the league, and it appears the Postecoglou-era Tottenham nightmare is being replayed.
After the match, criticism was aimed at Frank. But Frank defended himself in an interview with TNT Sport by mentioning his predecessor Postecoglou.
Frank said, I understand the fans' frustration. I know it is the easiest thing to point at me, but this is certainly not one person's problem. I can say clearly that this team was in this situation last year, he emphasized.
This is interpreted as pointing to a systemic problem in Tottenham that lingered even under the Postecoglou regime last season, when the team hovered near the bottom of the league (17th) and faced relegation risk. It is a cutting rebuke suggesting that the current slump stems from a fragile state inherited from the predecessor.
Frank also showed determination to confront the dismissal rumors head-on. When asked whether he would still be holding the baton for the North London derby against Arsenal on the 23rd, he replied, Yes. I'm sure of it.
He added, It is absolutely not just the manager's, the owner's, the director's, the players', or the staff's problem. It's everyone's problem, and both the board and I know well what needs to be improved. We are working very hard on that part.
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