Is Thomas Frank losing the Tottenham dressing room amid players’ frustration?

Serious questions are being asked of Thomas Frank’s future at Tottenham Hotspur after new claims that sections of the squad have grown frustrated with the Dane’s tactical approach and late match-day adjustments. According to a report from The Sun, several Spurs players are becoming increasingly uncertain about their roles, with last-minute tactical tweaks — sometimes delivered just minutes before kick-off — causing confusion and eroding confidence within the dressing room. 

Spurs’ 2–1 defeat to Fulham at the weekend has intensified scrutiny. While Frank insisted after the match that he retains support from the club’s hierarchy, the pressure to arrest the team’s downward momentum is undeniable. Wednesday’s trip to St. James’ Park, where Newcastle have rediscovered their edge, looms as a potentially defining moment in his tenure.

The report claims that some of the senior players feel roles have become unclear due to Frank’s habit of scrapping or altering plans during early phases of matches. The chaotic 5–3 Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain was highlighted internally as an example — a late tactical shift left several players unsure of their responsibilities, contributing to a disjointed performance.

While there are still players who enjoy working under Frank, there is concern that confusion has become a pattern, not an isolated issue. For a squad already navigating a poor run of form, tactical inconsistency risks widening cracks at a crucial time in the season.

The concern isn’t just about leadership — it’s about clarity. Players want conviction and repeatable patterns. At the moment, the message appears muddled.

Signs of strain surfaced earlier in November after Chelsea’s 1–0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence walked directly down the tunnel at full-time without acknowledging Frank or the supporters, a rare breach of team convention that left the manager visibly startled.

Frank attempted to downplay the moment:

“We have Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence doing everything they can. Everyone is frustrated. We do things in a different way, I don’t think it’s a big problem.”

Yet the episode has been seized upon by some as the first outward symbol of disconnect — a squad struggling to process a difficult period while their head coach strives to keep unity intact.

The situation isn’t limited to the dressing room. Spurs’ relationship with their supporters is fraying after Guglielmo Vicario’s error against Fulham was met with boos from sections of the home crowd.

Frank was furious post-match:

“I didn’t like that our fans booed him straight after. They can’t be true Tottenham fans because everyone supports each other when you are on the pitch.”

Full-back Pedro Porro echoed the frustration on Instagram, defending his teammates and condemning the abuse. Spurs’ form has invited tension across the fan base, and moments like this deepen the sense of unease.

For a club enduring a brutal November — four defeats, one draw, and just one win — fractures between players, fans and coaching staff can snowball quickly.

After picking up 17 points from their first nine league games, Spurs have collected just four points from their last five. Only four teams in the league have matched or performed worse over that period.

Despite that, club sources insist Frank’s job is not currently under threat. The Spurs hierarchy want to give the former Brentford manager more time to shape the team in his image. But the calendar is unforgiving: Newcastle, Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Crystal Palace await in December — five fixtures that will test the squad’s resilience and Frank’s tactical conviction.

A positive run could restore belief. A continued slide could force a reassessment.

Having followed Spurs closely since Frank’s appointment, this moment feels like the most fragile point of his tenure. Dressing room disquiet rarely emerges from nowhere; it usually reflects accumulated frustrations — unclear shape, inconsistent instructions, shifting roles. Tottenham’s recent performances show a team struggling to apply patterns with confidence.

Although some supporters believe results alone explain the frustration, it’s worth questioning how much tactical instability has contributed. In our view, Frank’s biggest challenge is not results — it’s re-establishing clarity. When a squad becomes confused about their responsibilities, confidence drains faster than form.

From my experience covering managerial transitions, once doubt spreads in the dressing room, the only antidote is a clear, consistent game plan paired with immediate positive results. Frank must deliver both — or risk reaching a point of no return.

Spurs travel to Newcastle on Wednesday, followed by critical matches against Brentford and Nottingham Forest. Frank needs results to stabilise the dressing room — and reconnect the club with its supporters.

👉 Is Thomas Frank close to losing the Spurs dressing room, or can results turn the mood around quickly?