Football Daily - The Debrief: Thomas Frank under pressure as Tottenham lose again

Episode Date: February 11, 2026

Michael Brown, Ellen White and Tim Krul join Kelly Cates to react to another loss for Spurs.Could this be the end for Thomas Frank in north London?Plus Manchester United grab a late point and Chelsea throw away a two goal lead to Leeds. TIME CODES: 0:49 Senior Football Correspondent Sami Mokbel on how close Thomas Frank could be to the exit at Tottenham 8:42 Thomas Frank reacts to another home defeat   13:55 Is a point good enough for West Ham? 16:47 Is Fergie time back for Manchester United? 18:18 Liam Rosenior speaks after the 2-2 draw with Leeds 19:29 Daniel Farke reacts to a great comeback from his Leeds team

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app and Google Play Store. Buy your next car gurus today with Car Gurus at carguroos.ca. Go to carguos.ca.cagurus.ca. with Kelly Cates Welcome to the Football Daily podcast. Here are your headlines. Tottenham lost to Newcastle in a toxic atmosphere in North London. The booze rang out as Spurs lost 2-1 to increase the pressure on Thomas Frank. West Ham thought they'd earned three vital points against Manchester United

before Benjamin Sheshko's 96-minute equaliser. And Leeds came from two goals down to get a draw at Chelsea. Joining us, we've got the record goal score for the lionesses. Ellen White is here. Former Manchester City, Tottenham, Leeds United, Midfield and Michael Brown is with us. And former Newcastle Lurridge and Netherlands keeper, Tim Kruel, is here as well. But let's focus on Tottenham. Our senior football correspondent, Sammy Mockbell joins us now.

Evening, Sammy. Kelly, how are you? Very well indeed, thanks. But there's only one place to start, and that's with the future of Thomas Frank after that 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle. What's your thoughts on his future now? Yeah, another result, I think, Kelly, that pushes the situation to breaking points. If it wasn't already a breaking point, I think Tottenham now have a very big decision to make after tonight. I think there's been after the West Ham defeat where my understanding was that they were mightily close to making a decision to let Thomas Frank go.

He's had a couple of good results, hasn't he, in the Champions League, but the Premier League formers continue to be poor. And that's underlined again tonight with another home defeat. booze at half time, booze at full time. And my understanding of the situation now is that I can't categorically sit here and tell you that he's going to get sat as a result of this or he's going to go as a result of this. But it is my understanding now that there is now a decision that needs to be made. There is a big decision, a step that they need to take. Do they stick or do they twist?

I think the one thing that will count against Thomas Frank, there is now 12 days, between the day and their next fixture, which is against Arsenal of all clubs. So that gives Tottenham, leaves them with a pretty big window to make a decision. If they were to make a decision to get rid of Frank to appoint a successor whether it's on an interim or full-time basis. And that would also allow enough time for the new manager

to get a plan in place for the game. So I think the next 24 hours is difficult for him. Any rumours on who, who, could be. Do you know, it's all right saying let's go make that change. And is there anything that you get in? Yeah, look, Brownie, I think what Tottenham

are looking at are, they look at the summer and they think there will be a lot more managers available. You've got all the well-cut managers. You've got the likes of Glasna who's going to be out of work. And an I. Reola, his contract is up at the end of the season. He would probably be of interest.

Marco Silver's contracts up. and you've got the likes of Carlo Angelotti, Thomas Tuchel, and obviously Marisa Pochitino in the summer, who will all be available after the World Cup. So I think ideally they would like to wait and maybe make an interim appointment. The problem is there's only a month between the end of the World Cup and the start of the Premier League season.

So if you were thinking of coming in and having some time to get the players ready, and this is particularly pertinent for Marisio Pochitino because the Spurs fans were singing, name tonight. He's got a big job on until the end of July. Absolutely. Listen, his focus will be on the World Cup with the USA. They're the host nation. It's a massive deal for him. It's a massive deal for the country. And, you know, I don't think the United States Soccero Federation will allow Marisa Pochitino's focus to be shifted elsewhere,

even 1%. So he has to focus on that. But for sure, I can see a scenario where Marisha Pocetino becomes the apple of Tottenham's eye if they do get rid of Thomas Franklin and also the supporters' eyes given the legendary status in many ways

that he has still at the club. We haven't seen the owner since Daniel Levy left. We haven't seen them in a situation where they've had to make a decision of this magnitude. So we don't know how they operate under these circumstances. Yeah, and that is a very good point, Kelly. There isn't a body of work to suggest where their breaking point may be. But I would hazard an educated guess here, given the conversations I've

had over the past three or four weeks, that I think we're pretty close to reaching the point of no return. Yeah, I think it could compel the ownership into making a decision over Thomas Frank's future. Michael, we know what would have happened or we think we know what would have happened under Daniel Levy. Very slick, very organised. He had already been weeks ahead regarding he would have had them all ready to go

and then especially into this game he'd be looking at what's around him and he'd sort of go, right, if I have to react, I've already spoke to him, rightly or wrongly he has got that level of sort of organ. And you have to be ready, don't you? Because anything can happen any single day.

I think Sammy, the problem we've got is, is we're talking about managers for the future or not available now. And it's swung into a decision. Like I'm listening to people and they're saying, right, they desperately don't want to do this right now. They want to just to wait. Hopefully it didn't get to this. But the hand now might need to be forced. And it's a case of, it's like Manchester United had to do it, didn't they? And then they had a week or so to try and find a reaction and then they go, right, we're going to go with Carrick.

It's one of those moments for Spurs. I think that's absolutely bang on the money, Brownie, because this is a decision that they have done everything to try and avoid to make. What they see in Thomas Frank is they believe they've got a good manager who's been dealt a rough hand. And I think to many cases, he has been dealt a rough hand. The injury list is well documented. I think if we look back at the last few transfer windows,

they lost Harry Kane. Hjung-min-son who have been their main source of goals. And they lack leadership in that squad. I think that was part of the reason that they tried to sign Andy Robertson during the final days of the transfer window. There's so many deficiencies in that squad. And I think the club as a whole of recognising and acknowledge that and they wanted to give and they wanted to give the manager the benefit of the doubt.

But I think his body of work at the club just suggests that he may not be given the time. that the club want to give him. The other question, if they do, whether it's Thomas Frank or whether they do make the change and it's a new manager, is what more can be done, Tim, with the squad of, not with the squad of players, but with the fit players available? Yeah, I'm just looking at the bench tonight. And I think most of them are just kids.

And yes, I feel for Thomas Frank in that way. But ultimately, it's a whole season. And then you think, all right, you've got 12 games to go. Is this the right time? Is this enough time for it? somebody to turn it around and cement this kind of Premier League status and that's where you need to look at as a club like Tottenham. There's no way Tottenham Stadium should be in the championship by any stretch.

But this is where it's at now and the decision makers are going to wake up with a headache if they don't make the right decision. Do you know Ryan Mason stepped into that before, hasn't he? Somebody knows the club. We're watching the United who is the state. Is he somebody who sort of go, right, get him in and it's a change of voice just while we have a little look at the situation. if they're going to make that, if they're going to make the change.

Yeah, you can see it's an idea where that would be an option, but that would only be an option, in my opinion, because of what you sort of alluded to, Brownie, there isn't, if you look at the landscape of available managers, there just isn't one off the top of my head who would be of the magnitude or the calibre of manager that Tottenham would want to go for. So I think they're going to have to go down the short term

interim route until the summer. Yes, Ryan Mason would probably fit the bill on a short-term basis, but is he going to want to go back to Tottenham just for a six-month period? He'd go for three games, even a heartbeat. That might be their best option, them. Thank you very much to Sammy Mockbell.

Let's get some reaction from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium from Thomas Frank. Of course, it's a hurt massively that we couldn't get the win today. No doubt about that. I see a team running, and fighting out there with everything they have. They give everything in a tricky and difficult situation

against a good team that make it difficult for us, especially the first half. I think we came back in second half and equalized and then it's symbolic for our season that we have a transition going one way and they go the other way and then we defend the bat in that moment and then we concede the second goal which we shouldn't do.

I know basically you've got a full team, first team out with injuries and sustained. at the moment. You've alluded to it in your answer that. Are you getting enough out of the players that are fitting and available to you? I think it's a, as you say, it's a two-sided question.

I think definitely 10 players of injuries and a suspension for Ferreira's band and another injury after 30 minutes. 100% doesn't help. I am absolutely sure any coach would like to have more available players because it's easier to get more out of everything

but I have never complained it's what I have available and do everything we can to put a competitive team of there it can't escape you I don't think it escaped anybody there were booze at full time what is your message right now to the Tottenham Hotspur supporters tonight

yeah but I understand the frustration 100% it's it's not a good position we're in and also you know how can you say been building up a little bit the last season it was a bit similar playing Europe and Premier League

this season is a bit similar to Europe Premier League so there's something in the squad meeting to build their resilience physically and mentally to do that and I also understand it's how you can say directed against me that's the easy way to do it but I'm also 100% sure about

it's a team effort it's not only one person we all aligned and know what need to be done and the next thing I can promise is that we, I will work very hard every single day to do everything I can to turn around with a lot of other good people.

You have a break now over a week to your next fixture. We know what that fixture is the North London Derby. I think first of all it has to be asked you still want to be here to be in charge of that fixture but what can you do in the next 10-11 days now to reset, refresh and change the fortunes of this season?

Yeah, I think you say a bit of refresh first. I think everyone need that because, of course, it's things are not going the right way. It's tough to be in players, style, FFF1. So that's the first thing. After that, we need to have a very good training week. Make sure we get in trouble everything and make sure we get a tough team out there. That was Thomas Frank on what was a tough night for Tottenham. To embrace the impossible,

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On the Football Daily podcast, The Debrief with Kelly Cates. What a night it's been. were 2-0 up against Leeds, who came back to draw two-all. Everton were 1-0 up against Bournemouth. Bournemouth won at 2-1. Everton then down to 10 men in that game. Newcastle were 1-0 up against Tottenham,

who pulled it back to 1-all through Archie Gray. Then Jacob Ramsey got the winner for Newcastle. It leaves Tottenham right in the mix for the relegation places, and it would have been even more so if West Ham had managed to hold on to that 1-0 advantage that they had against Manchester United, but which went in the final minutes of that game. It's the bottom that's come alive, isn't it? Do you know, Leeds United looked like, okay, we're struggling, we're 2-0 down,

and then they show some recovery, some fight. That's a big place of the Chelsea side who are in form. But that West Ham performance, really, really strong, spurs, the booze. I mean, we can keep going on, can't we? We can keep looking, but it's now getting into a position where, you know, consistency is going to be key. You need to have a bit of look, the planning and key. And there's some experience managers down there in this fight

who've been around it, who understand the way around. And, you know, I did fear for West Ham. I didn't think they had an opportunity, had a chance, unless they were creative at the end of the window. They did a little bit, not as much as we thought. But it's a big blow, but I feel like the training ground be a good place. And Ellen, from a West Ham point of view, what's your feeling on the final whistle?

I think it's two points dropped for West Ham. I think 26 points would have put them in an amazing, position and now Nottingham Forest, no disrespect to walls. If they go, get that win, that's 29 points that forest are on. That's five points. That's a huge, that's a huge mountain to climb for them again. So I think this is going to be a huge devastating result for them. Yes, Manchester United have been on great form. West Ham have been on great form. But I think three points would have been such, such a good result for them and would have put them in such a better position. I'm not sure whether one point is enough for tonight. And Manchester United

created so many chances, so many opportunities in that game. They had a couple of goals disallowed for offside. There were chances in that for them. And yet West Ham managed to keep them at bay. Yeah, they were knocking on the door all night. West Ham first clean sheet since August in the weekend. And they were so close to do it again tonight. And that's one of the things when Nuno came into the club.

That's what we're expected to be more solid at the back. And they showed massive signs tonight that they could. Literally, this is the quality your face in the Premier League. What a finish from Cessco. I mean, that's incredible as a number nine to come off the bench and make a difference what he did there for United and continue that amazing start from Carrick. And this is how it leaves the bottom of the table

with Wolves and Burnley both to play tomorrow night. West Ham still inside the bottom three. The gap between them and Nottingham Forest is two points. West Ham on 24, Nottingham Forrest, who play against Wolves tomorrow night on 26. Tottenham, whose fans may well have been celebrating that late equaliser for Manchester United on 29 points. That's now five points from the bottom three. Then it's Leeds United who got a point from 2-0 down against Chelsea tonight on 30.

Then it's Brighton and Crystal Palace a point and then two points further on than that. It's actually not a bad result for Tottenham either when we were saying this was a terrible night for them. It's one glimmer of hope. We were joking, weren't we? You know when that goal went here, we said Thomas Frank, whoa, wait on a second. You might not have to do that yet. We might not have the replacement. They might not be ready.

So for West Ham, that's a huge point for them. It would be disappointing with the way they went, but take the credit, take how they've performed, take how they've pushed Manchester United who are in form. Their next game, I think it's home to Bournemouth, Kelly. So that is the game where you go, right, that's the must win for them, and then that's the one they've got to try and close the gap. But it's been fascinating. It's over to Forrest now, isn't it?

Leeds United have done their job and spurs what is next. I mean, it's just been a brilliant night of football and that's what we're expecting. That's what we hope for. But West Ham are coming back and showing great signs. Manchester United, despite dropping points against West Ham, also coming back. Because in terms of the performance,

there was that sort of cohesion that we've come to see under Michael Carrick. That was there. Yeah, they're forced to be reckoned with again. And I think that's the difference. That fear fact of Man United is back. And I think, especially at all Trevor, it's got that, I mean, what a special place to play in football

and I think that that fortress at all Trevor is back that Fergie time we've seen over the last few weeks is well and truly back. The belief, again, yeah, tonight I think they would have hoped for three points, but unbeaten run is continuing. And a word on that finish, Ellen, as England's record goal scorer, thoughts on Sheshko's finish. It was sublime, it was such a deaf touch.

He was actually outside of the near post as well. So to be able to kind of get his toes to kind of be able to kind of whip that in the top corner was something special. And he looks like he's gained a lot of confidence from having Michael Carrick in charge. And he just looks like a completely different player. He's always a good movement, obviously. But I just think he needed that confidence, that arm around his shoulder to say that you are a good striker. You do get good positions. and I think he's, you know, Michael Carrick's giving him that

and he's shown that in his performances and it was a wonderful finish and again, he's keeping them unbeaten record. For Chelsea, it was a two-all draw against Leeds United. Chelsea would 2-0 up. Lead United came back to draw two-all. Liam Rossignor spoke after the game. He shared the chat that he had with the ref

after another controversial goal decision. I've liked what I've seen from this team. I know where we need to improve and we need to work on it on the training pitch, But overall, the players are giving me everything, every single one of them. And tonight, the frustration is that our performance didn't merit the result that we got. As you mentioned, you went and see the referee. How did that chat go?

What did he say? Not really good open conversation. I wanted the rules explained to me, so I made sure that I got it right. Before I did my interviews and press conference, they were really honest with me. They said that he had to be the player that scored for it not to be disallowed. That's the, they're the laws. I think if you watch it back, if an attacking player handles the ball and it affects the flight of the ball,

so it affects my defenders, then in that moment, for me, it shouldn't be allowed. But there's no excuse. I can't remember them having a real shot and go other than the penalty in that moment, and somehow we haven't managed to win the game. So they're the rules, but you think they're wrong? I'm not saying the rules are wrong. I'm saying sometimes there's logic.

There's logic that just makes sense. I think if you see the moment back, you may agree with me. You can see real frustration there for Liam Russe. what Leads manager Daniel Farker made of the game. I always believe in my team. Of course, I was feeling a bit for them because, yeah, there's also a few players. Jakabiole, first appearance in the starting lineup after injury.

Sebastian Bono the first time since a while. And they were very unlucky also to be involved in the goals. And I was hoping that they put this to bed and just keep going. And this also was my message at the sideline to the players. And, yeah, I'm very happy. I was always convinced that we still have a chance if we scored just one goal. Yeah, thank God they proved me right. How much credit should you take?

You made those chances in the changes in the second half and it worked? Not at all. So all the credit goes to the players. So of course you can have an idea, but it's up to the players to bring it on the pitch. And all the credit goes to my fantastic group of players. And also like the players who made an impact, the players who played from the start because they stepped up when it was needed. Of course, also with no Walker 4, of course.

And you're happy when a player who comes in scores also a goal. But all the credit goes to the player. Thanks to Michael Brown, Ellen White and Tim Kruill for being with us. That is all for the Football Daily podcast. Steve Crossman will be back tomorrow. But from us, bye-bye. Five live sports. The Six Nations.

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