Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has expressed unwavering confidence in his ability to orchestrate a significant turnaround at the North London club, drawing direct parallels with the challenging starts he overcame at his previous clubs.
A Familiar Pattern of Slow Starts
The Danish coach is under no illusions about the scale of the task facing him at Spurs. The team's form has been a major concern, with six defeats in their last ten Premier League matches, securing only two victories in that disappointing sequence. This poor run has left the club in need of a positive result as they prepare to face Crystal Palace this Sunday.
Frank's tenure so far has been a mixture of promise and frustration. One of the most pressing issues has been the squad's adaptation to the dual demands of domestic and Champions League football. While Tottenham are well-placed to progress to the competition's knockout stages, their European commitments have at times appeared to hinder their league performances, most notably in a 3-0 defeat away at Nottingham Forest following a midweek European fixture.
History as a Guide to Future Success
Despite the current difficulties, Frank finds solid reassurance in his own managerial history. He points to his first club role at Brøndby, which began in 2013, and his successful spell at Brentford, where he took charge in 2018.
"At Brøndby, I didn't win the first eight games and then we were unbeaten in nine," Frank recalled. "At Brentford, we lost eight out of 10 games and then we were unbeaten in 10. So I am convinced we will see a similar pattern here. I'm not in doubt of that."
He attributes part of the current complexity to the intense schedule, noting the physical and mental load on a squad not fully accustomed to such a relentless rhythm of games, rotations, and recovery.
Building Resilience and Breaking Bad Habits
Central to Frank's mission is instilling a greater resilience in his players. He openly acknowledges that losing can become a damaging habit, but is focused on cultivating the positive behaviours that lead to consistent success.
"What makes it even more complex here is the amount of games we are playing," he explained, highlighting the unique pressures at Tottenham. "There are good habits and bad habits and, of course, winning is a good habit and losing is a bad habit."
Frank described the meticulous process of improvement, comparing it to a player incrementally increasing the frequency of their recovery runs. It is a gradual build, not an instant fix. The manager admitted he is working "24-7" to find solutions, thinking about the game more than ever before, but remains buoyed by his proven track record of eventually forging highly competitive teams.
"It's not the first time in my career I haven't found the team instantly but it's coming over time," Frank stated. "I know it will come. Probably sooner rather than later." His message to concerned supporters is one of patience and faith in a process that has delivered for him before.
