Thomas Frank addresses the failure of Tottenham to sign recently transferred Man City star.
Thomas Frank has revealed Tottenham Hotspur made significant efforts to sign Antoine Semenyo in January before the winger joined Manchester City, insisting the transfer window is “not Football Manager” despite supporters’ frustrations.
Semenyo, 26, completed a £64 million move to Manchester City earlier this month after Tottenham’s pursuit failed. The Ghanaian forward has made an immediate impact at the Etihad Stadium, scoring five goals in his last eight Premier League appearances for Bournemouth and City combined since mid-December.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash against his new club, Frank defended Tottenham’s recruitment efforts and praised the Lewis family’s commitment. He said (h/t BBC):
“It was clear, there is no doubt, that the club wanted to sign [Antoine] Semenyo. They did everything and I think that is a clear signal that the Lewis family is very committed. That’s the quality of players we are looking for to improve the squad.”
Thomas Frank and Antoine Semenyo
Tottenham did manage to strengthen during January, signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher for £35 million and Brazil left-back Souza on a long-term deal. However, missing out on Semenyo represents a significant blow given his immediate success at City and Tottenham’s desperate need for attacking reinforcements.
Frank acknowledged supporter frustrations but attempted to manage expectations about the complexities of modern football transfers, stating:
“The fans just want the best for the club, just like I, the owners, the staff, the players. Everyone wants the best for the club. But the transfer window is not Football Manager, unfortunately. It is not. It would be a lot easier, but also a little bit more boring. We would not have as many good stories to talk about.”
Semenyo could feature against Spurs this weekend
The Danish manager faces Sunday’s match against City with eight senior players sidelined through injury, leaving his squad weaker than when the January window opened. Frank admitted this reality creates frustration but insisted Tottenham cannot become “obsessed with a short-term fix” because “that’s not helping in the long term.”
Frank suggested a “big summer ahead” for Spurs with planned improvements to his squad, though whether he will be in charge to oversee those changes remains uncertain. The 51-year-old has come under increasing pressure during his first season at Tottenham, with supporters booing recent home performances and chanting for him to be sacked.
Tottenham sit 14th in the Premier League table and are winless in their last five league matches. However, Wednesday’s 2-0 victory at Eintracht Frankfurt secured a top-eight Champions League finish and automatic qualification for the last 16, offering Frank temporary reprieve.
The Danish manager joined Tottenham from Brentford last June on a contract until 2028, replacing Ange Postecoglou. His record of 0.82 points per home Premier League game represents the worst such tally of any Spurs boss in the competition’s history, contributing to growing calls for his dismissal.
Sunday’s encounter with Manchester City presents Frank with the uncomfortable scenario of facing the player Tottenham failed to sign. Semenyo could become only the third player to score against Tottenham for two different teams in a single Premier League season if he finds the net, following Eric Cantona in 1992-93 and Benito Carbone in 1999-00.