Football Jan 22, 2026

Thomas Frank: Under-pressure Tottenham boss says 'magic' Borussia Dortmund win shows 'we're on same page'

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Thomas Frank: Under-pressure Tottenham boss says 'magic' Borussia Dortmund win shows 'we're on same page'

Under-pressure Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank hailed their "magic" Champions League home win over Borussia Dortmund as evidence that everyone at the club is "on the same page".

First-half goals from Cristian Romero and Dominic Solanke gave Spurs a 2-0 victory over 10-man Dortmund, which lifted Frank's side into the top eight automatic qualification places.

But domestic results have put the Dane under huge pressure, with last Saturday's home loss to lowly London rivals West Ham sparking boos and chants from his own fans of "sacked in the morning".

Despite a turbulent week, in which his future was in serious doubt amid talks with the club's hierarchy over lunch on Monday, Frank bounced back on Tuesday night as Spurs fans cheered off their team for the first time in 2026 following a five-game winless start to the new year.

"That energy between the fans and the players was magic," he said at his post-match press conference.

Asked if this performance proved he was worth sticking with, Frank smiled: "I think it's about the team and everything, but of course I understand the question.

"What I feel the whole time is the staff is with us, I think the players are with us, the ownership, everyone wants the same thing and we're on the same page.

"We do a lot of things in the right direction and today was a big performance and a big win. Of course, I'm very aware of that, but I'm also very aware that this we have done and we need to keep that consistency and turn that a little bit.

"As I say, some of the other games we easily could have won. Now we need to build on this.

"And I just see a team that is running very, very hard and I think that's a very, very good sign. That's a healthy sign of a culture and we are building something a little bit step by step.

"We can easily have got better results the last three games, we just didn't, but we're running hard.

"I think the big thing is to build on this with a performance and a win against Burnley."

Quizzed on how he will celebrate, Frank said: "I think two big glasses of red will be necessary, I will enjoy that."

Attention now turns to Saturday's Premier League trip to relegation-threatened Burnley, where only a win feels good enough for Frank.

Spurs sit 14th in the Premier League, and if they were to lose at Turf Moor they could find themselves just seven points above the drop zone.

Solanke's first goal of the season on his first start of the campaign will be a huge boost for Frank going into the game against Scott Parker's side - and the striker hopes the win over Dortmund will give Spurs "momentum" for this weekend's crunch clash.

When asked if the victory could be a turning point for a fairly dismal season for Spurs so far, Solanke told TNT Sports: "I hope so.

"We've done quite well in the Champions League and if you look back to last season and how well we did in the Europa League, it definitely gave the team confidence.

"We know we haven't been good enough in Premier League this year, so hopefully this gives us the extra boost, we can improve in the league and continue in the Champions League.

"When we're all together - players, staff, fans - that's key. We're all one club, we all want the same thing. We need to put the performances in on the pitch like we did tonight and hopefully we can carry on the momentum."

Tags:

football news

Share this article

Related Posts

Lawrence Shankland injury: Hearts suffer major setback in Scottish Premiership title race as captain sidelined

Lawrence Shankland injury: Hearts suffer major setback in Scottish Premiership title race as captain sidelined

Hearts have suffered a major setback in the Scottish Premiership title race with captain Lawrence Shankland set to be out for six to eight weeks with...

Paul Scholes tells Lisandro Martinez to 'grow up' over criticism but praises performance in Manchester derby

Paul Scholes tells Lisandro Martinez to 'grow up' over criticism but praises performance in Manchester derby

Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have continued their war of words with Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez, with Butt telling the Argentine to "grow up"...

Next Man Utd manager: Luis Enrique, Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel among Jamie Carrgher picks for Old Trafford role

Next Man Utd manager: Luis Enrique, Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel among Jamie Carrgher picks for Old Trafford role

Jamie Carragher has outlined his four-man shortlist to be the next Manchester United head coach, suggesting that their next permanent boss must be a c...

The Premier League players attracting loan interest from the the Championship in this transfer window

The Premier League players attracting loan interest from the the Championship in this transfer window

The transfer window is in full swing and as ever Championship clubs are looking to the Premier League for players on the periphery that could be avail...

Marc Guehi: Man City sign defender from Crystal Palace for an initial £20m as spending reaches £425m in 12 months

Marc Guehi: Man City sign defender from Crystal Palace for an initial £20m as spending reaches £425m in 12 months

Manchester City have completed the signing of defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in a deal worth an initial £20m. An injury crisis at centre-half...

Diogo Dalot tackle on Jeremy Doku: PGMOL chief Howard Webb unconvinced Man Utd defender deserved red card

Diogo Dalot tackle on Jeremy Doku: PGMOL chief Howard Webb unconvinced Man Utd defender deserved red card

PGMOL chief Howard Webb is unconvinced that Diogo Dalot’s challenge on Jeremy Doku in Man Utd’s 2-0 win over Man City was worthy of a red card - but i...