Thomas Frank is “convinced” he will remain in charge at Tottenham despite fans turning on the head coach after yet another defeat.
Frank suffered the 15th defeat of his reign as Spurs boss with the 2-1 loss to Newcastle at home, meaning the Dane now has a win percentage of just 26.9 per cent in the league, the lowest of any Spurs manager in the Premier League era.
Spurs slipped to 16th as a result of the loss and now sit just five points above the relegation zone, which could have been reduced to three if Manchester United hadn’t equalised in added time against 18th-placed West Ham.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Tottenham Hotspur’s match against Newcastle United in the Premier League
When asked if he would be in charge for the next fixture against rivals Arsenal, live on Sky Sports on February 22, Frank said: “Yeah, I am convinced I will be. I understand the question.
“It is easy to point on me but it is never only the head coach, ownership, players or staff. It is everyone.
“Everyone knows what position we are in and what we need to improve on. That is what we are working hard on.”
Frank: I understand why the fans boo and chant
Frank’s name was booed by the home crowd before kick-off and that intensified in the latter stages of the game, with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” and “we want Frank out” emerging.
The 52-year-old was also booed heavily while walking on the pitch after the full-time whistle had blown.
“I understand the fans’ frustration,” he added when asked about the hostile reception.
“It’s a position they don’t want to be in. We are working day and night to try and change. It’s a position the club have been in the last two years. The pattern is that the club are struggling to compete in Europe and the Premier League.
“Part of that is to eliminate injuries and suspensions. We face a Newcastle team that has struggled a little bit lately. But I think they were more on top first half and then we came back into it well.
“The second goal is a bit symbolic of our season.”
Newcastle United’s Jacob Ramsey scores their second goal
Frank: I am the man for the job
Despite the dismal run of form and his position at the club now teetering on untenable, Frank still believes he is the man for the job.
He added: “One thousand per cent. I’m also one thousand per cent sure I didn’t expect us to be in the position we are in with 11 to 12 injuries.
“There are a few before me up here at Tottenham and many other clubs that have lost their head. I have to stay calm. We have to get through this together.”
Thomas Frank at full-time following Tottenham’s loss to Newcastle
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, who was also under pressure heading into the fixture, echoed this claim and admitted he hopes Tottenham give Frank time to prove his worth at the club.
“Well, I think you know the fine reality of this job is that it could be any of us at any moment and it’s not nice,” Howe said in his post-match press conference.
“I think when you look at Tottenham and you look at their injury list, it’s an incredible list of players that they’re missing and I think that’s really, really difficult for Thomas.
“I think he’s an outstanding manager, I’ve come up against him many times. I think he’s got all the attributes to be a top manager for this football club and I hope he gets the time to show that.”
Tottenham’s next five games:
February 22 – Tottenham vs Arsenal, 4.30pm – live on SkyMarch 1 – Fulham vs Tottenham, 2pm – live on SkyMarch 5 – Tottenham vs Crystal Palace, 8pmMarch 15 – Liverpool vs Tottenham, 4.30pm – live on Sky March 22 – Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest, 2.15pm – live on Sky
