Tottenham Hotspur’s 2025/26 Season: Continental Class, Domestic Chaos, and the Thomas Frank Dilemma

The mood around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is one of stark contradiction. On one hand, Spurs are thriving on the European stage. On the other hand, their Premier League campaign has descended into frustration, hostility, and genuine concern. What was meant to be a pragmatic rebuild under Thomas Frank is instead becoming one of the most polarising seasons in recent club history.

Following last season’s bizarre 17th-place finish (compensated only by an FA Cup trophy), Frank was brought in to provide a pragmatic rebuild. Instead, Spurs are walking a tightrope between European ambition and domestic obscurity.

📉 The Premier League Slump: A Season Falling Short

The optimism that greeted Frank’s arrival from Brentford has largely evaporated. Spurs currently sit in 14th place, with just two wins in their last 14 league games. This isn't just a bad run; it’s a full-blown identity crisis.

• The Burnley Scrape: On Saturday, it took a 90th-minute header from captain Cristian Romero to salvage a 2–2 draw at Turf Moor. The visiting fans made their feelings clear, taunting Frank with chants of "Sacked in the morning" after watching their team struggle to break down the relegation-threatened Clarets.

  
  

• Points Dropped: Spurs have shown a worrying mental fragility, surrendering leads and dropping more points from winning positions, dropping 14 from this position, than almost any other side in the top half.

  
  

• Home Form Horror: Selhurst Park isn't the only London ground in a funk. Spurs have won just three of their last 20 home matches in the league, turning their billion-pound stadium into a hunting ground for visitors.

🧠 Thomas Frank: Pragmatism Without Purpose

Frank was hired to bring stability after the dismissal of Ange Postecoglou. Instead, Spurs have lost both identity and conviction.

Tactical Identity Blur

Frank’s 3-4-3 system, designed for control and efficiency, has too often smothered creativity. Spurs oscillate between cautious possession and disjointed counters, becoming predictable and easy to defend against, especially against low blocks.

In-Game Management Woes

Substitutions rarely change the rhythm of matches. Spurs have developed a habit of retreating after scoring, inviting pressure rather than asserting control. Momentum is routinely lost, and Frank’s touchline decisions have come under heavy scrutiny.

Morale and Leadership Gaps

Late-game collapses, set-piece lapses, and visible frustration point to a squad lacking emotional resilience. Whether this is a coaching issue or a flawed squad build, Spurs continue to struggle when tested.

Spurs fans are shaking their heads at Thomas Frank and desperately wish the board had not sacked Ange Postecoglou last summer. Thomas Frank has routinely demonstrated naivety, culminating in him holding an Arsenal cup away to Bournemouth. While on the surface a rather minuscule event, this action, though by accident, left a sour taste in Spurs fans' mouths.

🌟 The Champions League Paradox

Bizarrely, the same team that labours domestically has looked elite in Europe.

• 5th in the Champions League, already through to the knockout phase

• A statement 2–0 win over Borussia Dortmund (Jan 20)

• Defensive excellence, led by Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, the latter remarkably contributing 8 goals across all competitions from centre-back.

This centre back partnership has been the main attacking threat going forward for Tottenham, a daming fact that demonstrates a lack of attacking prowess from Spurs' forward line.

In Europe, Frank’s pragmatism works. Against proactive sides, Spurs are organised, aggressive, and decisive. In the league, against cautious opponents, they look completely neutered.

🌟 Bright Spots in a Bleak Campaign

• Xavi Simons has been a rare creative spark, though increasingly isolated.

• Richarlison leads the scoring charts with 8 goals, but service has been inconsistent.

• January backing: The signing of Conor Gallagher, for 35 million pounds, adds midfield steel, while rumours of a move for Andy Robertson suggest attempts to address structural weaknesses.

🔮 The Verdict: A Manager on the Brink

Despite Champions League success, Thomas Frank is walking a tightrope. The board is urging calm, but internal discussions about his future have already begun. For many supporters, European nights no longer mask domestic decay.

Thomas Frank is in the fight of his life. While he maintains he "feels the trust" of the board, the hierarchy reportedly held emergency talks following the home loss to West Ham on January 17. The talent is present, with stars like Xavi Simons and Micky Van de Ven, but structure and consistency are glaringly absent.

Spurs fans are calling for change; they are fed up with the current rot facing their season. While European football remains a bright spot, if Spurs continue on this path with Thomas Frank at the helm, they will be out of Europe completely next season.

Rather than European nights, Tottenham could very well be battling it out in the Championship next season in a worst case scnario.