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Frank’s Tottenham future in doubt despite claims of stability
Tottenham’s Thomas Frank has stated that his position as manager is secure, even as the team finds itself just five points above the Premier League’s relegation zone, but speculation about his future persists.
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Frank acknowledges the frustration of Spurs supporters, showing empathy towards their concerns.
Despite Tottenham's extended winless streak in the Premier League, now at eight matches, Thomas Frank claims his position as manager is secure.
The team's 11th defeat of the season came in the form of a 2-1 loss to Newcastle at home on Tuesday evening.
As a result, Tottenham, one of the six ever-present Premier League clubs, finds itself five points above the relegation zone.
Frank has stated that he has received assurances from the club's owners regarding his job security.
The final whistle at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was met with boos from the crowd, while noticeable empty seats were present at the start of the match.
When questioned by TNT Sports about the potential threat to his job, Frank replied, "I had a conversation with them yesterday, and the answer is no."
"I am aware of the frustration, and it's easy to target me, which is an unfortunate aspect of the job," Frank added.
"I will dedicate myself day and night to reversing this trend, but it's not a one-person effort; we all need to improve, including myself."
In a conversation with BBC Radio 5 Live about the booing, Frank said, "I understand the frustration, which has been building up over time, similar to last season when we were competing in both European and Premier League matches."
"We must be resilient, both mentally and physically. I am convinced that this is a team effort, and we are all working together to achieve our goals."
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Tottenham suffers another home defeat at the hands of Newcastle, prompting boos from the crowd.
After a strong start under Frank, earning 10 points from their first 15, Spurs have only managed 19 points from their subsequent 21 Premier League fixtures.
The team's current winless streak of eight games is their longest since a nine-match streak in 2008 under Juande Ramos, who was ultimately sacked with the team at the bottom of the table.
According to Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle, who spoke to TNT Sports, "You have to acknowledge the reality of the situation – they are in a relegation battle."
"The players and fans must understand this and be prepared to fight for every point," Hoddle added.
"It's essential to recognize the situation and scrap for every point," he emphasized.
Former Tottenham striker Les Ferdinand believes many fans have lost faith in Frank.
"It's a desperate situation, and desperate situations call for drastic measures," Ferdinand said.
The Debrief: Pressure mounts on Thomas Frank as Tottenham suffers another loss.
Thomas Frank has led Tottenham to only seven Premier League victories this season.
The Tottenham hierarchy is now faced with a significant decision regarding Frank's future.
The uncertainty surrounding Thomas Frank's position at the club is no secret and has been ongoing for weeks.
A significant portion of the fanbase is calling for his dismissal, as evident from the boos that followed the final whistle.
Additionally, there appears to be a decline in support for Frank within the club itself.
The defeat to Newcastle has pushed Frank's first season in charge further into crisis, which may have significant consequences.
If Nottingham Forest, currently in 17th place, defeats Wolves on Wednesday, they will be level on points with Tottenham.
Frank is understandably reluctant to admit that his team is in a relegation battle, but the numbers suggest otherwise.
However, it's possible that Frank may not be the one to address this issue for much longer, as Tottenham's latest loss may accelerate his eventual departure.
The level of speculation regarding Frank's immediate future at Tottenham has been high in recent weeks, and this loss will likely prompt further introspection from the club's leadership.
The fact that the Spurs board has continued to support Frank during this challenging period demonstrates their desire for the appointment to succeed.
The easier option would have been to part ways with Frank already.
However, the Tottenham hierarchy acknowledges that Frank has faced significant challenges, including multiple injuries to key players.
There is also recognition that the squad requires repair, particularly given the departures of key goal-scorers Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
Furthermore, there is a sense within the club that the squad lacks leadership, which is why they signed experienced players like Conor Gallagher and attempted to acquire Andy Robertson from Liverpool.
The Tottenham executive team believes that the club needs a period of managerial stability.
However, sources close to the club have informed BBC Sport that contingency plans are being explored, highlighting the precarious nature of Frank's position.
This suggests that while the club wants Frank to succeed, they are also preparing for alternative scenarios.
Following the loss to Newcastle, if the club chooses to make a change, they will have a 12-day period before their next match against Arsenal, scheduled for 22 February.
This timeframe provides Tottenham with an extended opportunity to identify and appoint a replacement, allowing the new manager sufficient time to prepare for the crucial derby against Arsenal.
The current situation has pushed Frank to the limit, and it remains to be seen how Tottenham will respond to the mounting pressure.
For the latest updates, in-depth analysis, and fan perspectives on Tottenham, look no further.
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News
Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role
Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.
Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.
Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.
Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.
As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.
Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.
Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.
According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.
Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.
Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.
Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.
Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.
The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.
Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.
Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.
Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.
Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.
If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.
For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.
News
Peter Murrell faces allegations of misusing £459,000 in funds over 12 years
Allegations have been made that he bought various items, such as luxury goods, jewellery, cosmetics, two cars and a motorhome, in an improper manner.
Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, is facing allegations of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a 12-year period.

An indictment document obtained by BBC News outlines the case against Murrell, who is the estranged husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The alleged embezzlement is said to have occurred between August 2010 and January 2023, according to the indictment.
It is claimed that Murrell used party funds to purchase luxury items, including jewellery, cosmetics, and vehicles, such as two cars and a motorhome.
The Scottish Sun was the first to report on the details of the indictment.
A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled to take place at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, 20 February, where Murrell is expected to appear.
During his initial court appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Murrell made no plea and was subsequently granted bail.
Murrell's arrest in 2023 was part of Operation Branchform, a police investigation into the SNP's funding and finances, which led to him being charged with embezzlement in April 2024.

Although Sturgeon was questioned by police as part of the investigation, she is no longer considered a suspect.
BBC News has obtained a copy of the indictment against Murrell ahead of his upcoming court appearance.
It is worth noting that the indictment is subject to change until the case is heard in court and may be amended throughout the judicial process.
The indictment alleges that Murrell purchased a £124,550 motorhome for personal use and created false documents to justify the expense as a legitimate party expenditure.
Murrell is also accused of using £57,500 of party funds to buy a Jaguar I-PACE car in 2019, and falsifying an invoice to conceal the true nature of the purchase.
Furthermore, it is alleged that when the Jaguar was sold in 2021, Murrell deposited more than £47,000 into his personal bank account.
The indictment also claims that Murrell embezzled £16,489 from the SNP to partially fund the purchase of a Volkswagen Golf in 2016.
A list of over 80 retailers is included in the indictment, where Murrell allegedly made purchases totalling more than £159,000 between 2014 and 2022, using party credit or charge cards for personal expenses.
The retailers named in the indictment include Harrods, the Royal Mint, John Lewis, Homebase, and Argos, among others.
It is alleged that Murrell used SNP credit or charge cards to make these purchases and then inserted false or inaccurate accounting codes and descriptions into the party's accounting systems.
The indictment also accuses Murrell of making purchases worth over £81,600 through Amazon using the same method.
Murrell served as the SNP's chief executive for 22 years before his departure.
Murrell and Sturgeon were married in 2010, but announced their separation in January 2025, after being together for many years.
News
Bangladesh Nationalist Party Wins Landslide in Country’s First Poll Since Youth-Led Protests
The public is looking forward to a shift back to democratic governance, following a 15-year period of authoritarian leadership by Sheikh Hasina.
In a significant shift in the country's political landscape, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has achieved a decisive majority in parliament, 18 months after widespread protests led to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, the country's longest-serving prime minister.

The BNP secured over two-thirds of the seats in the recent general election, with the Jamaat party, the main Islamist party in the country, coming in second; meanwhile, the Awami League, led by Hasina, was not allowed to participate in the election.
As the BNP's leader, Tarique Rahman is poised to become the next prime minister, facing significant challenges in revitalizing the economy and restoring democratic principles after 15 years of authoritarian rule under Hasina's leadership.
In a concurrent referendum, voters also expressed support for comprehensive democratic reforms, which are expected to shape the country's future.
Following Friday prayers in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman expressed gratitude to his supporters, stating, "I am grateful for the love you have shown me"; his party has chosen not to hold a victory procession.
Rahman, who was elected to parliament for the first time, was among the 212 successful BNP candidates; according to the Election Commission, voter turnout was 59.44%.
This marks a significant turnaround for Rahman, who spent 17 years in self-imposed exile in London before taking over as party leader after his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, passed away in December.
During his campaign, Rahman pledged to restore democratic principles and practices in the country.
The new government will need to address pressing issues, including economic revitalization, controlling rising food prices, and creating employment opportunities for the country's large youth population.
Rebuilding relations with neighboring India is also a key priority for the incoming government.
In the aftermath of his victory, Rahman received a congratulatory call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who acknowledged his "remarkable victory".
Modi took to social media to reaffirm India's commitment to promoting peace, progress, and prosperity in both countries, citing their deep historical and cultural ties.
Although the BNP has pledged to bring about change, the party has faced criticism in the past for corruption and alleged human rights abuses during its previous tenure in government in the early 2000s.
The recent election represents a pivotal moment for the country, with one of the two main parties achieving a significant victory, presenting both opportunities and risks.
Proposed constitutional reforms include introducing term limits for the prime minister, establishing a directly elected upper house of parliament, strengthening presidential powers, and increasing judicial independence.
The reforms also aim to increase female representation in parliament, an area where significant progress is still needed, as evidenced by the limited number of successful female candidates in the recent election.
As the newly elected leader, Tarique Rahman will face intense scrutiny as he works to deliver on his promises to a predominantly young electorate eager for change, many of whom participated in the student-led protests that ultimately led to Hasina's removal and paved the way for the February 12 election.
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