Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank insists he retains the trust of the club's hierarchy despite growing speculation over his future following a recent home defeat. The Spurs prepare for a crucial Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, hampered by a lengthy injury list and a controversial squad change. Frank's side aims to secure a vital win to bolster their qualification hopes.
Thomas Frank, Tottenham's head coach and former Brentford manager, expressed confidence in the backing from the club's ownership ahead of their UEFA Champions League league phase match against Borussia Dortmund on January 20, 2026, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This comes amid increasing pressure after a 2-1 home loss to West Ham United, extending Spurs' poor record to just two wins in 11 games at their stadium. Fans have voiced frustration, with booing and calls for Frank's dismissal, and reports suggest an internal meeting on Sunday heightened concerns about his position.
In his pre-match press conference, Frank emphasized team support over personal matters. "As I have said many times, as long as we win football matches... everyone will support us. It is not about me. It is about supporting the team, the players," he stated. He highlighted the squad's limitations, noting only 11 outfield players available from the first team, including Xavi Simons, who suffered an ankle injury from a bad tackle but will play through pain. "Big courage to Xavi," Frank added, questioning why the incident did not result in a red card.
A key controversy surrounds Frank's decision to reinstate striker Dominic Solanke in the Champions League squad, replacing Mathys Tel. Solanke, 28, returned from a four-month ankle injury, featuring as a substitute against Aston Villa on January 10 and West Ham. Tel, who had been praised for recent performances and was added earlier ahead of the Slavia Prague game on December 9, now sits out. "I’ve made the decision... it was not a nice decision... I chose Dom. I think Matty has done very well the last couple of games," Frank explained, calling it a tough call under UEFA rules allowing such substitutions for injuries.
Tottenham's injury crisis deepens their challenge: Micky van de Ven is suspended after a third yellow card against Slavia Prague, Ben Davies underwent surgery for a broken ankle and is out indefinitely, Rodrigo Bentancur faces three months sidelined, while Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison, and Joao Palhinha are also unavailable. Pape Matar Sarr is doubtful due to illness following hospitalization after the AFCON final. New signing Conor Gallagher is ineligible until the next round.
For Dortmund, coached by Niko Kovac, the match is pivotal as table neighbors; a win could aid a top-eight finish for a playoff bye. Kovac noted Tottenham's strong home form, having won their first three Champions League home games without conceding. Marcel Sabitzer misses out with calf problems, but Ramy Bensebaini and Aaron Anselmino returned to training. Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg will officiate.
Frank remains defiant on resilience: "If your back is against the wall, you fight... We need everyone to support us from minute one." With the game crucial for automatic qualification hopes, Spurs' bare-bones roster faces a Dortmund side unbeaten in most Bundesliga matches this season.
