Thomas Franco has the most important game in his Tottenham on Saturday.
Defeat at home to London rivals West Ham, who are 18th and on a 10-game winless run in the Premier League, would be simply unthinkable for Franco.
And with West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo also under huge pressure, it’s a game that ski sports Tim Sherwood is labeled ‘El Sackico’.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Tim Sherwood discusses whether Thomas Frank could be in danger if Spurs lose to West Ham on Saturday
But Franco’s press conference on Thursday did not give the impression that his job would be in jeopardy if Spurs lose to the Hammers.
In fact, it felt like the Dane got some good news in the last few days.
And I get the impression that he’s probably been told that he’ll have at least the next few games to turn this around, and maybe the rest of the season.
This felt like an August or September press conference, when things were rosy for Frank. His answers on Thursday were long, all the while smiling and defiant.
And why not after a positive week of change for Franko ahead of Saturday’s clash.
On Wednesday, he was handed the “best signing” in Conor Gallagher following his £34million arrival from Atletico Madrid.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Thomas Frank has reacted to Spurs’ signing of Conor Gallagher and praised his character and leadership skills, saying it was exactly what the club needed.
Then came two announcements a day later – Franck hired John Hayting as his new assistant first-team coach, while at boardroom level, Carlos Rafael ‘Raffy’ Mersen was named director of football operations in a newly created role.
As I understand it, Rafi is not Fabio Paratici’s replacement after the departure of fellow sporting director at the end of the January transfer window was confirmed on Wednesday.
Rafi will work closely with sporting director Johan Lange in what Tottenham believe is a modern, high-performance football structure, while we wait to see if Paratici is replaced.
Can Frank win over the fans?
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The Sunday Supplement panel discuss Franco’s future at Spurs
So it’s been another week of change at Spurs – and Frank will be hoping for more change on Saturday: the mood of the fans.
The Boos once again greeted the full-time whistle following last Saturday’s FA Cup third round defeat at home to Aston Villa.
That defeat was Tottenham’s seventh in their last 13 games, while Franco’s side are without a win in 2026.
Because of this, most fans simply haven’t bought into Frank, with some frustrated by his defensive style, while others are upset by the things he says in press conferences. Arsenal’s cup blunder at Bournemouth didn’t help either.
Thomas Frank was seen drinking from an Arsenal cup before the defeat at Bournemouth
But even before a ball is kicked on Saturday, there could be a sense of frustration over the planned protests – although it will be intriguing to see the attendance at these protests following the signing of Gallagher.
What is certain is that if things go wrong against the relegation-threatened London rivals, then Tottenham Hotspur’s toxic stadium will be very problematic for Franco.
The Lewis family and CEO Vinay Venkatesham will be there, and if they notice the crowd’s displeasure, then there could be real trouble.
Frank knows that only winning with attacking intent will appease his detractors.
Does Frank deserve to be under pressure?
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Paul Merson believes Spurs’ players are the reason for their poor form, not Frank
After the defeat against Villa, Frank looked like a man under pressure.
But I have sympathy for the 52-year-old because this team is not good enough.
If Tottenham were to sell all their players now, then probably only Mickey van de Ven and maybe Christian Romero would go to a bigger club, like Real Madrid or Barcelona.
But then some fans believe the team is better than 14th in the Premier League.
The problem for Franco was that the key members of this team – James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke – were missing, and only Solanke had just returned from injury.
There have also been so many changes around Franco at the club, including the shock departure of Daniel Levy in September.
This week was proof of a new era at Tottenham, and perhaps Franco should be given a bit more freedom after the dramatic revolution.
What Frank can control is the style of football, which has rightly added to the pressure on him.
Better free Spurs without shackles will help the former Brentford boss turn things around.
But in the end, for Franco, he’ll just want a win on Saturday in what many believe will be a win-or-lose game.