As Thomas Frank prepares to face West Ham United this weekend, he will be confronted by a stark reminder of Tottenham Hotspur's recent past. On the opposite touchline will stand Nuno Espírito Santo, a man whose ill-fated reign at Spurs serves as a cautionary tale for the current incumbent.
Uncanny Parallels Between Two Managers
The similarities between Frank's current situation and Nuno's brief tenure in 2021 are striking and unsettling for the Spurs faithful. Both managers arrived in North London having built impressive reputations at smaller Premier League clubs; Nuno with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Frank with Brentford. Each started with a notable victory—Nuno beat Manchester City, while Frank began with a win—but their fortunes quickly soured.
Both suffered demoralising defeats against London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal, faced vocal dissatisfaction from supporters over team selections, and presided over a growing sense of frustration around the club's style of play. Nuno was dismissed after just ten Premier League matches, having accrued 15 points. The spectre of a similarly abrupt exit now looms over Frank.
Key Differences in Context and Backing
There are, however, significant contextual differences. Nuno inherited a squad featuring a peak Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, whereas Frank has been deprived of key creative forces like the injured James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski for much of his tenure. The return of striker Dominic Solanke from a long absence offers a glimmer of hope.
Crucially, the boardroom backing appears stronger for Frank. Nuno was a distant choice on a long shortlist, handed a two-year deal amid a 72-day search, with an air of temporary compromise. Frank was the unequivocal first choice, swiftly appointed on a three-year contract as part of a proclaimed long-term rebuild coinciding with structural changes within the club's hierarchy.
The Stubborn Issue of Playing Style
The most damning parallel, and the one causing greatest concern among supporters, is the perceived lack of attacking verve. Both managers carried reputations for pragmatic, defensively-minded football from their previous clubs—a style that quickly becomes untenable at Tottenham.
The Spurs fanbase has little patience for a slow, predictable, or uncreative approach. Nuno's inability to deliver excitement was the primary cause of his downfall, and Frank is battling the same perception. The statistics are damning: Opta data reveals Tottenham have played the fewest through balls in the Premier League this season and rank 15th for shots on target. Their buildup is frequently labelled stodgy and lacking in penetration.
Interestingly, Spurs have significantly outperformed their expected goals (xG) of 20.5, having scored 30 league goals—the largest positive margin in the division. This statistical overperformance raises questions about sustainability when performances inevitably revert to the mean.
Frank's Fight for Improvement and Patience
Frank is acutely aware of the criticisms. He receives detailed analytical briefings and has already identified and addressed specific issues, such as a lack of deep runs behind defences earlier in the campaign. He points to gradual improvement over the last seven or eight games.
The manager expresses reasonable satisfaction with defensive and set-piece progress but acknowledges the urgent need for more potent attacking football. The signing of Conor Gallagher and the return of Solanke, a pressing number nine, are viewed as key steps. Frank insists he retains boardroom confidence, citing these arrivals as evidence of support.
Currently 14th—one place lower than at this stage last season but three points better off—the pressure is palpable. A run of just three wins in 14 league games, coupled with a recent FA Cup exit to Aston Villa, has heightened scrutiny. A defeat to West Ham and Nuno would undoubtedly provoke a toxic reaction from the home crowd.
Yet internally, there is no indication Frank's position is immediately under threat. The club's hierarchy is reportedly cognisant of the broader context and the scale of the rebuild required. The ultimate challenge for Frank is to exorcise the ghost of Nuno by forging a tangible connection with the fans and crafting a brand of football that excites, something his predecessor never achieved. The visit of West Ham represents another critical test in that ongoing battle.
