Spurs, pressure and the Ex Factor
Tottenham Hotspur’s last five head coaches are all gainfully employed elsewhere which either reflects a shallowness in the managerial talent pool and the usual merry-go-round or, more fairly, shows an understanding within football of issues at Spurs. Ex-Factor is a game with some smiles, not least for the size of the pay-offs.
Following a win and a positive performance against Borussia Dortmund it would be harsh if Thomas Frank became the ninth full-time head coach to depart Spurs in 13 years (plus two caretakers). Spurs are fourth in the Champions League league table, and simply need to take their European confidence into the domestic sphere, especially at home. Frank’s tactics, attacking fast down the flanks, were working even before Dortmund had a man sent off. Having a target man like Dominic Solanke fit and firing helps, especially when he scores a goal his feet, let his head, knew little about.
Frank’s demeanour before and afterwards spoke of a man who still felt the support of the suits upstairs. He promised to celebrate with “a couple of glasses of red” and, if white would have been a more diplomatic choice given local rivalries, a decent man and manager deserved the plaudits. The noise about his job has not completely gone away, though, so Frank needs this level of performance domestically. That’s the problem with Spurs players – you never know which mindset they will have. That’s why there is an understanding in the game about the difficulties of the job.
It’s hard to feel too sorry for managers when they get handsome compensation and frequently walk into new jobs quickly. If they have good agents, they move on even more quickly with well-placed briefings or actual interviews ensuring positive headlines. The League Managers’ Association has good lawyers to ensure dismissed members gets paid what’s due under their contract, although one owner is notoriously slow at paying (not Spurs). A look at Spurs’ departures over the past decade and a bit highlights the process that most work again, some swiftly. Harry Redknapp left Spurs on June 15, 2012 and four months later popped up at QPR.