'The sound of a fanbase who had given up on their head coach'
- Published
Thomas Frank's future may lie in the hands of those in power at Tottenham Hotspur, but the court of public opinion has delivered its damning final verdict.
The Dane has been the target for toxicity before as he fails dismally to win over Spurs supporters unconvinced by his pedigree after arriving from Brentford, along with a stodgy style regarded as conservative and dull.
Not like this, though. Not on the levels of fury aimed at Frank at the dramatic conclusion of the 2-1 home defeat by struggling West Ham United.
Frank looked a hapless, beaten figure as he offered polite applause to those who turned on him savagely after Callum Wilson bundled home a stoppage-time winner - the cue for a storm of discontent to be unleashed in his direction.
Spurs fans were chanting "sacked in the morning" at their own manager even during the video assistant referee check for offside that eventually cleared Wilson's winner.
Seconds later, when the final whistle confirmed the latest blow inflicted on Frank, it felt like there was no way back. This was the sound of a fanbase who had given up on their head coach, who no longer wanted him at the club.
Brutal - but this was the inescapable conclusion. Frank was stunned, appearing broken as the pressure increasingly grows on his position.
The grumblings of discontent started before the game, when about 100 supporters took part in a 'Change For Tottenham' protest, which appeared to have been partly calmed by the £35m signing of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid and an open letter from chief executive Vinai Venkatashem assuring concerned fans of the club's ambition.
Indeed, Frank had enjoyed a relatively positive week. At least until his team started playing.
Frank had a key role in ensuring Spurs beat Aston Villa to Gallagher, then added respected Dutch coach John Heitinga - part of Arne Slot's backroom team when Liverpool won the Premier League last season - as assistant coach.
But there is a constant undercurrent of discontent at Spurs that shows no signs of going away, the mood not helped by a league home record that now reads played 11, lost six and only won two.
