A nervy win at the San Siro‑sized stage of European competition has given Thomas Frank a breathing space, but it has done little to settle a club split down the middle. A 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund, powered by first‑half strikes from Christian Romero and Dominic Solanke, felt like a temporary balm for a fanbase that has been vocal in its discontent — yet the applause at full‑time masked as many questions as it answered.
From jeers to cheers but not to consensus
On the coach rides into the stadium, the mood among Tottenham supporters was bleak: almost nobody still backed Frank. A fourth straight defeat would likely have ended his tenure in the eyes of many. Instead, the win has bought him time. The early boos when his name was announced turned into relief at the final whistle, and the result now places Spurs in a strong position to qualify automatically for the Champions League knockouts. Whether that relief becomes renewed faith is another matter.
Fans split on whether the performance changes anything
The West Ham defeat days earlier had left the stadium echoing with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning,” and that anger lingered. Sarah Sturgeon‑Scraggs, a lifelong attendee, spoke for many when she said the joy has gone from matchdays and that most in the ground want Frank out. Her father Ronnie was blunt: without a dramatic shift in style and results, the supporters have abandoned him.
Yet the win did not convert everyone. Fans praised a lively first half — more movement, forward passing and pressing — but the conservative, five‑at‑the‑back second half revived old frustrations. “It sucked the joy out of it yet again,” Sarah said, sticking to her “Frank out” stance. Others, like Alfie, saw cause for optimism: the first half was “brilliant,” and the result suggested Frank might have more to offer than critics assume.
Dressing room unity offers Frank a lifeline
If the stands remain fractured, the dressing room appeared united. Players left the pitch at half‑time gathered together, and former goalkeeper Paul Robinson argued the performance showed Frank had not lost his squad. The intensity and work rate in the opening 45 minutes suggested a group still willing to fight for their manager.
Frank himself leaned into that message after the game. “The players are giving everything,” he said, calling the display an “extremely good sign” about the club’s culture and unity. That backing from within could be the crucial factor that keeps him in the job longer than the most vocal sections of the fanbase want.
Two Tottenhams this season
The split between domestic struggles and European form has created a sense of déjà vu. Last season’s poor Premier League form under Ange Postecoglou contrasted with Europa League success; this term Spurs sit 14th in the league but have been resilient in Europe, losing only once in seven Champions League games. Ally McCoist captured the paradox: “There’s two Tottenhams running about this season,” and on nights like this the continental version showed up.
The immediate test and the fragile future
There is no time to bask. A Premier League trip to struggling Burnley looms, and the result there will shape the narrative. A convincing win could turn Tuesday’s performance into the start of a recovery; another poor display would revive calls for change and intensify scrutiny of Frank’s seven‑month reign. The manager knows the stakes: build on this, he says, and keep believing.
After a turbulent week that included public fan fury and reports the hierarchy are weighing his future, Frank allowed himself a small moment of relief. “Two big glasses of red will be necessary,” he smiled. For now he will savour the victory — but the cheers in the stadium have not yet drowned out the chorus demanding answers.
