Tottenham are aiming to right the wrongs of last season by improving their domestic form under Thomas Frank
Tottenham defied all odds last season, turning around a disastrous campaign by ending it with major silverware. The Lilywhites went all the way in the Europa League, lifting the trophy in Bilbao and ending a 17-year wait for glory at N17. Their victory over Manchester United in the final gave every Spurs fan a moment to cherish for years to come.
Credit where it’s due, Ange Postecoglou stayed true to his word by winning a major trophy in just his second season in charge. The Australian tactician had always believed his side could create history and etch their names into the club’s folklore at Hotspur Way. He achieved exactly that, pulling out all the stops to turn his vision into reality.
The former Celtic boss placed all his focus on the Europa League, and it paid off. However, that decision came at a price, as it ultimately cost him his job at N17 shortly after the season ended. Spurs’ dismal domestic form was one of the main reasons for his departure, with the club finishing just one place above the relegation zone in the Premier League — a clear reflection of how poor they were in the league campaign.
Thomas Frank needs to win silverware with Tottenham this season
Under Thomas Frank, though, Tottenham look like a revitalised side in the Premier League. The Danish manager has guided his team to third place in the table, just two points behind leaders Arsenal, and there is an evident improvement in both individual performances and overall cohesion. Frank seems to be thriving at N17, and for the first time in years, the Lilywhites appear to be competing strongly on all fronts.
However, not everyone is convinced that progress alone will be enough. Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood believes that Frank must win a major trophy this season to avoid being labelled a failure. Speaking on Sky Sports (via Tottenham News), Sherwood said,
“I think they’re capable of doing it. If they fell out of the Champions League spots and they didn’t win a domestic trophy or anything in the Champions League, which is a big ask, he’ll be a failure.”
The ex-Spurs manager added,
“It’s harsh, the fact is it would be very, very harsh, but Ange Postecoglou got his hands on a trophy and gave them an open-top bus parade around Tottenham.”
Despite Tottenham’s impressive start to the campaign, Sherwood insists that Frank will need to deliver silverware if he is to be seen as an upgrade on Postecoglou. While he admits it may be unfair to judge Frank solely on trophies, he believes that is how many fans will ultimately measure the Dane’s success.
However, that assessment feels overly simplistic. Frank’s first season at N17 should not be judged solely on whether he wins a major trophy. Instead, it should be evaluated on the progress he makes in developing players and improving Tottenham’s style of play in the months ahead. Success in a domestic or European cup competition would certainly be welcome… but it should be seen as a bonus, not the benchmark.
Let us know in the comments below if you agree with Tim Sherwood’s statement.
