Tottenham 1-2 West Ham: Frank may survive this defeat, but the writing is on the wall for his long-term future

Thomas Frank will almost certainly wake up still in a job on Sunday morning. But as Tottenham trudged off following a damaging 2-1 home defeat to West Ham, it felt less like survival and more like a stay of execution.

This was a game Spurs simply could not afford to lose — a London derby against a familiar foe, played out amid growing unrest in the stands and a season drifting steadily off course. Instead, they delivered another performance that raised more questions than answers, and another result that deepened the sense that Frank’s tenure is edging towards an inevitable conclusion.

Tottenham started brightly enough, showing intent and energy, but the pattern that has come to define their campaign soon re-emerged. Control without conviction. Possession without punch. When West Ham weathered the early pressure and began to assert themselves, Spurs looked fragile — tactically and mentally.

The visitors were ruthless where Tottenham were not. A moment of defensive hesitation was punished, and although Spurs responded to pull themselves back into the contest, the belief never truly followed. When West Ham struck again, the air drained from the stadium, replaced by frustration, groans and, eventually, boos.

Frank’s body language on the touchline told its own story. Animated, urging, cajoling — but increasingly isolated. His methods, once praised for their clarity and structure, now appear predictable. Opponents know how to play Tottenham, and too often Spurs lack a credible Plan B when the script turns against them.
Injuries and squad limitations will rightly form part of Frank’s defence, and they may yet buy him time. The club hierarchy are not known for knee-jerk reactions, and dismissing another manager mid-season would come at a significant cost — financially and strategically.

Yet football rarely waits for balance sheets or long-term planning. Results dictate reality, and the reality is grim. Tottenham sit marooned in the bottom half, early cup exits already on the record, and the atmosphere around the club has soured alarmingly quickly.

This defeat alone will not end Frank’s reign. But it added another chapter to a story that feels increasingly familiar at Spurs — promise giving way to stagnation, patience eroded by repetition, and a manager running out of road.
Frank may survive the weekend. Whether he survives the season is another matter entirely.