Frank's downfall: Inside his struggle to get players and fans onboard

Sport InsightFrank's downfall: Inside his struggle to get players and fans onboard Published11 February 2026879 CommentsImage source, Getty ImagesBySami MokbelSenior football correspondentTottenham's decision to sack Thomas Frank was made almost immediately after Tuesday night's loss to Newcastle.Chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, in conjunction with sporting director Johan Lange, made the call - one the club had been reluctant to make.But the sorry state of Tottenham's season meant not even Frank's biggest advocate could disagree with the decision.Early on Wednesday morning, Venkatesham made the recommendation to the Lewis family - the club's ownership - to dispense with Frank.In recent weeks a furious fanbase have directed their ire towards the Lewises amid a widely held belief that supporters' views about Frank were not being listened to.According to conversations with those closely connected with the ownership, that was not the case - and the Lewis family were attuned to the widespread discontent from Spurs fans.Of course, it would have been harder not to notice given the ferocity of ill feeling towards the Dane in recent weeks.But given they effectively handed the running of the club to Venkatesham when appointing him chief executive last summer, it is fair to say the ownership have not sought to intervene - feeling a decision should be made 'on the ground'.So, when the recommendation from Venkatesham to terminate Frank's employment arrived in the hours after the loss to Newcastle it was accepted immediately by the ownership board, who formally approved the decision.All that was left was for Frank to be officially informed of his departure - a formality that took place on Wednesday morning in a meeting between the manager, Venkatesham and Lange.Frank's appointment in June was welcomed at the time as a shrewd move. He had done a superb job at Brentford to, firstly, earn promotion from the Championship and th...