Thomas Frank admits Tottenham job is tough amid difficult spell
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank has openly acknowledged that life at the club has been challenging, comparing his current situation to pushing through the hardest part of a long-distance race.
Spurs’ struggles continued with a goalless draw away at Brentford on Thursday, a result that left them 12th in the Premier League table with just one win from their last four matches. The frustration among supporters was clear, with chants of “Boring, boring Tottenham” ringing out during the game and boos greeting Frank as he applauded the travelling fans at full-time.
Speaking on Friday, the Danish coach was candid when asked whether he was enjoying the job so far.
“When you need to put in a big, big shift and it’s not smooth, and it’s tough, it’s probably difficult to enjoy it,” Frank told reporters.
“If I run hard, I don’t enjoy that moment but I know I need to keep my head down and run hard to get through it. We are in a situation where you need to run hard, to stay in it.”
Frank believes the current difficulties could prove valuable in the long term, even if the present moment is uncomfortable.
“When we look back on this spell or maybe this first year when it was tough, you’ll think: ‘What a learning, what an experience, it made us so much better for the future.’ So the short answer is: no. The reality is you can’t.”
Despite the pressure and criticism, Frank said he understands the frustration from the stands and remains grateful for the opportunity to lead the club.
“When I put myself out of it and look down, I think: ‘What a privilege to be in charge of this fantastic club in a period where it’s a big transition’,” he said.
“It’s definitely a marathon, and it definitely seems like it’s one of the more heavy miles I’m on now, but head down and keep going.”
Tottenham will look to lift the mood when they return to action on Sunday at home against seventh-placed Sunderland.
