Coach Mikel Arteta speaks out as rival club dismisses their manager

Tottenham officially relieved Thomas Frank of his duties amid a disappointing run, prompting Coach Mikel Arteta to express regret and acknowledge the harsh realities Premier League managers face.

Coach Mikel Arteta showed sympathy towards Thomas Frank after the Danish tactician was sacked by Tottenham during a turbulent mid-season period, as the “Spurs” struggled in the Premier League.

The decision to part ways with Thomas Frank was announced by Tottenham on February 11, ending a brief but frustrating stint for the coach in North London. Appointed in June 2025, Frank was unable to stabilize Spurs. The team currently sits only 5 points above the relegation zone and has gone 8 consecutive league matches without a win in 2026.

In the official statement, Tottenham said: “The club has decided to change the head coach position for the men’s first team, and Thomas Frank will leave the club effective immediately. We have tried to support him in building a long-term plan, but the results and performances forced the board to make this decision at this time.” Frank leaves Tottenham with undesirable statistics, considered the worst performing coach among the “Big Six” in the Premier League era. Nevertheless, he was recognized for his professionalism and dedication during his tenure at the club.

Speaking at a press conference that afternoon, Coach Mikel Arteta could not hide his regret for his colleague on the opposite side: “It is always very sad news when a colleague cannot continue his work. Thomas is an excellent coach and an extraordinary person. He has proven his abilities in the Premier League.”

The Arsenal manager acknowledged the harshness of top-level football: “Results sometimes determine everything. That is the reality of this job. If you don’t win, it’s hard to keep going.” When asked about the increasing impatience in the Premier League with managers, especially since Tottenham has changed 8 coaches since he took charge of Arsenal, Arteta said each club has its own circumstances. “Every era is different. The most important thing is to have the players’ support and win as many games as possible,” he emphasized.

According to British media, one reason Frank lost favor in the Spurs dressing room was his frequent praise of Arsenal, their city rivals. This caused discomfort among some players, especially before and after derby matches.

Tottenham is urgently searching for a successor, possibly an interim or permanent appointment, ahead of the North London derby against Arsenal this weekend. Spurs have not beaten the “Gunners” since May 2022, and the pressure will certainly weigh heavily on the home side at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.