Thomas Frank - Former Head Coach

[MartyFunkhouser]

I didn't see him as that honest personally. Had he come in and said that in the first season the focus will be on defensive solidity and set pieces rather than attacking and our in possession game that would have been honest. Instead he spoke about the importance of goals and attacking football.

We all knew we would lose football matches, that's not an issue in itself. It's true, but it doesn't have to be said, everyone already knows that.

Ange was way more honest, maybe too honest at times (like the City game thing, he spoke his opinion it seemed and it tinkles quite a few people off).

What's the too honest opinions Frank came out with?

If you are booing players on the ball you might, might just not be a real fan, I have ab lib'd that but we all know what was said................ I believe the statement that was massively honest, not wise but honest. Fans don't like it because they likely have been stood on the terrace calling players a CNUT and believe its a true reflection of support because they paid to be able to do it.

He has been involved in a number of press conferences where he has made factual statements and people have not liked them because they are not upbeat observations, the "we will lose matches" I mean if you are a grown up (not aimed at you BTW) if you are, you can accept it for what it is. I know people wanna cling onto moments to layer on why he was the wrong guy, but it wasn't that statement, he was the wrong guy because he was the wrong guy

I kept reading on here "he doesn't get the club" "its not the Tottenham way of talking" but honestly man, I am 43 years old, I don't need to be told fairies exist or this club in 2026 is a reflection of where it was in the 80s, I don't need to be PR washed or lied to

 

[Mikey10]

But with all due respect the flip on that is, managers can come in and give it all the PR value we fans want to hear and not win anything. We lucked with Ange because he did it and delivered a trophy but how many managers have in the last 20 years, we can debate win % and thats a relevant argument but everyone bar Ange has been a failure here when all is said and done, so yes PR value is important to a level but I think we put WAY too much emphasis on it.

As others have said, I doubt the players put any thoughts into whats said in pressers anymore than they do when they speak in generic terms in their own, its more important whats said behind closed doors and Frank maybe got that wrong and lost the players, but it wouldn't be what he said in the pressers.

The big issue with Frank in Pressers from a fan perspective is he was too honest IMO and fans don't like a mirror held up to them, yes he ended up being a poor manager but it doesn't make his points any less relevant or right IMO either, they are two separate things

As a fanbase we continue to shoot the messengers, unfortunately. Poch said it; Mourinho said it; Conte said it...we are such a confused bunch. Constant gaslighting will do that to anyone, I suppose. It's straying into Stockholm Syndrome with some after 25 years of being held captive by ENIC, I think.

 

[Mikey10]

The press conferences are more for getting the buy in from supporters and shaping outside perception than the players or club hierarchy who will get theirs from the day to day interactions with the manager, doubt any players will watch a press conference.

I never watch them myself. My feeling is that life is too short.

 

[MartyFunkhouser]

As a fanbase we continue to shoot the messengers, unfortunately. Poch said it; Mourinho said it; Conte said it...we are such a confused bunch. Constant gaslighting will do that to anyone, I suppose. It's straying into Stockholm Syndrome with some after 25 years of being held captive by ENIC, I think.

Its 100% that and its also 100% making managers the constant villains of the piece (I have 100% done it hands up) but to load everything on the manager because you don't like him, didn't like him or he failed is ridiculous. The injuries for example somehow being the sole issue of the manager, not getting decisions from the refs etc, there has been so much spoken about on here recently about stuff that lays at the managers door which IMO has been just a reason to add gas to the fire, and I get it, I have done it, its par for the course, the media also do it.

But you are 100% right and I argued against it for a long time because I saw the infrastructure go up and gave passes, but the consistent that runs through this club which has been the reason we have not kicked on or met our potential isn't managers and press conferences..............

 

[billyiddo]

I never watch them myself. My feeling is that life is too short.

Me neither, but we all see the clips on SM and how it shapes fan perception.

 

[DeanoAustin]

But with all due respect the flip on that is, managers can come in and give it all the PR value we fans want to hear and not win anything. We lucked with Ange because he did it and delivered a trophy but how many managers have in the last 20 years, we can debate win % and thats a relevant argument but everyone bar Ange has been a failure here when all is said and done, so yes PR value is important to a level but I think we put WAY too much emphasis on it.

As others have said, I doubt the players put any thoughts into whats said in pressers anymore than they do when they speak in generic terms in their own, its more important whats said behind closed doors and Frank maybe got that wrong and lost the players, but it wouldn't be what he said in the pressers.

The big issue with Frank in Pressers from a fan perspective is he was too honest IMO and fans don't like a mirror held up to them, yes he ended up being a poor manager but it doesn't make his points any less relevant or right IMO either, they are two separate things

As you say, PR will only get you so far but you've got to do the PR bit right. If you don't, you're f**ked particularly at a club like Spurs where the scrutiny is ridiculous. The same thing happened Hodgson at Liverpool. You start talking negatives or dampening expectations and it feeds through onto the stands and it'll get into the players' heads.

Talking in generic terms is fine, that's why these lads are trained in PR. Talking down expectations or talking in negatives isn't.

 

[MartyFunkhouser]

As you say, PR will only get you so far but you've got to do the PR bit right. If you don't, you're f**ked particularly at a club like Spurs where the scrutiny is ridiculous. The same thing happened Hodgson at Liverpool. You start talking negatives or dampening expectations and it feeds through onto the stands and it'll get into the players' heads.

Talking in generic terms is fine, that's why these lads are trained in PR. Talking down expectations or talking in negatives isn't.

Conversely I think there have been plenty of managers who have been a success whilst being more dour shall we say. I get we all want to be told this that and the other, I just don't buy into it as much as others do maybe.

Half the time I listened to Klopp speak I thought he sounded like a cnut, but he is one hell of a coach, thats all that matters

 

[DeanoAustin]

Conversely I think there have been plenty of managers who have been a success whilst being more dour shall we say. I get we all want to be told this that and the other, I just don't buy into it as much as others do maybe.

Half the time I listened to Klopp speak I thought he sounded like a cnut, but he is one hell of a coach, thats all that matters

Dour isn't the problem IMO. Being dour is fine - you don't have to be Mr Charisma in front of the camera. You just kind of need to avoid pitfalls and talking down expectations or talking up your rivals are two of them.

Ferguson was never particularly engaging with the press, nor was Wenger, nor is Pep really IMO. Mourinho, Klopp and Clough were insanely good with the press. With Klopp, I thought he was brilliant for The Dippers because he really got that club, much and all as I hate them, and pretty much always knew when to say the right thing. All that would have been useless of course unless he was a bloody good manager which he is.

 

[ricky2tricky4city]

IMO you are absolutely right Steff. I don't know when it started to happen, I think it's a fairly recent thing, but managers' pre-match press conferences are now big events where things get dissected and analysed like never before.

.....but are incredibly boring.

 

[braineclipse]

If you are booing players on the ball you might, might just not be a real fan, I have ab lib'd that but we all know what was said................ I believe the statement that was massively honest, not wise but honest. Fans don't like it because they likely have been stood on the terrace calling players a CNUT and believe its a true reflection of support because they paid to be able to do it.

He has been involved in a number of press conferences where he has made factual statements and people have not liked them because they are not upbeat observations, the "we will lose matches" I mean if you are a grown up (not aimed at you BTW) if you are, you can accept it for what it is. I know people wanna cling onto moments to layer on why he was the wrong guy, but it wasn't that statement, he was the wrong guy because he was the wrong guy

I mostly agree. I just don't think part of his problem was being too honest. He was the wrong guy, that's not on him.

 

[MartyFunkhouser]

I mostly agree. I just don't think part of his problem was being too honest. He was the wrong guy, that's not on him.

He was the wrong guy, I think we are also the wrong club for many a capable manager moving forward.

I don't think Ange was wrong with his identity crisis observations about out club and I think it all feeds into the PR stuff. Bipolar Spurs

 

[MartyFunkhouser]

Dour isn't the problem IMO. Being dour is fine - you don't have to be Mr Charisma in front of the camera. You just kind of need to avoid pitfalls and talking down expectations or talking up your rivals are two of them.

Ferguson was never particularly engaging with the press, nor was Wenger, nor is Pep really IMO. Mourinho, Klopp and Clough were insanely good with the press. With Klopp, I thought he was brilliant for The Dippers because he really got that club, much and all as I hate them, and pretty much always knew when to say the right thing. All that would have been useless of course unless he was a bloody good manager which he is.

But you listen to Ange comments today in the Overlap and its applicable to this conversation, we are not the club we think we are, there is alot going on off the pitch which impacts on that, not least our contrary way we act via our club branded outward messages. I think Frank likely got the message of what and where we are as a club and tone closer than people would like. As I say we don't like looking in a mirror but this clubs all over the shop, maybe a manager should not allude to that, but the players are also doing it now too. Its not the PR thats the issue here for the managers, its upstairs

 

[braineclipse]

He was the wrong guy, I think we are also the wrong club for many a capable manager moving forward.

I don't think Ange was wrong with his identity crisis observations about out club and I think it all feeds into the PR stuff. Bipolar Spurs

Most clubs will be the wrong place for many managers including capable one's.

We need someone who suits us, our needs and our circumstances. (Come the summer, right now we just need to avoid the drop (and win the CL)).

 

[MartyFunkhouser]

Most clubs will be the wrong place for many managers including capable one's.

We need someone who suits us, our needs and our circumstances. (Come the summer, right now we just need to avoid the drop (and win the CL)).

The club need to work out what kind of club we want to be, it looks shocking culture wise, we look a joke with all thats gone on for 12 months, that needs sorting, I think relegation battle first and then a period of working out who we want to be as a club, the appointing a new manager in order of importance IMO

 

[braineclipse]

The club need to work out what kind of club we want to be, it looks shocking culture wise, we look a joke with all thats gone on for 12 months, that needs sorting, I think relegation battle first and then a period of working out who we want to be as a club, the appointing a new manager in order of importance IMO

Definitely agree. Put sorting out the DoF situation fairly early there and the DoF(s) being a big part of deciding identity and the next manager accordingly imo.

On who would be the best bet to avoid relegation (and win the CL) I don't know.

 

[ricky2tricky4city]

If you are booing players on the ball you might, might just not be a real fan, I have ab lib'd that but we all know what was said................ I believe the statement that was massively honest, not wise but honest. Fans don't like it because they likely have been stood on the terrace calling players a CNUT and believe its a true reflection of support because they paid to be able to do it.

He has been involved in a number of press conferences where he has made factual statements and people have not liked them because they are not upbeat observations, the "we will lose matches" I mean if you are a grown up (not aimed at you BTW) if you are, you can accept it for what it is. I know people wanna cling onto moments to layer on why he was the wrong guy, but it wasn't that statement, he was the wrong guy because he was the wrong guy

I kept reading on here "he doesn't get the club" "its not the Tottenham way of talking" but honestly man, I am 43 years old, I don't need to be told fairies exist or this club in 2026 is a reflection of where it was in the 80s, I don't need to be PR washed or lied to

I think this conversation is a reflection of what people and individuals need, what resonates, what motivates, what deflates.

And lo and behold......we are all different.

I think I fall into the same camp as you...I'd rather hear truths and discussions be honest, so that can feed into living in reality as much as possible .

But as I say some need an arm round, smoke blowing, a hype man etc.

 

[MartyFunkhouser]

I think this conversation is a reflection of what people and individuals need, what resonates, what motivates, what deflates.

And lo and behold......we are all different.

I think I fall into the same camp as you...I'd rather hear truths and discussions be honest, so that can feed into living in reality as much as possible .

But as I say some need an arm round, smoke blowing, a hype man etc.

Hahaha yeh so true.

I need a Gazza coming off the pitch and saying he is off to get his suit ready, those moments are all I need. Or seeing Berba take the ball down with ease of touch, that will do. Give me them over Shpiiiiiiiiil in the presser all day long man