Mikel Arteta has delivered a classy and respectful message to Thomas Frank following his dismissal by Tottenham Hotspur, just over a week before the highly anticipated north London derby against Arsenal. The Arsenal manager expressed his sadness at the news, highlighting Frank's qualities as both a coach and a person.
Tottenham's Decision Amid Dismal Form
The decision to sack Frank came after a 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle United, which left Tottenham languishing in 16th position in the Premier League table. This loss marked just two victories in their last seventeen league fixtures, amplifying the pressure on Frank's tenure.
During the match, disgruntled Tottenham fans voiced their frustration with chants calling for Frank to be 'sacked in the morning' and appeals for the return of former manager Mauricio Pochettino. This defeat represented the club's eighth home loss across all competitions this season, creating an untenable situation for the board.
Frank's Defiant Stance and Board Action
Despite the mounting criticism, Frank remained defiant after the Newcastle match, insisting he was '1,000 per cent' certain he was the right man for the job and claiming he was 'convinced' he would be in charge for the Arsenal visit. However, with twelve days remaining until Spurs host their bitter rivals on February 22, the club's leadership—including chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, sporting director Johan Lange, and the Lewis family representing major shareholder ENIC—made the decisive move to dismiss the 52-year-old manager.
The fifth loss in nine matches, coupled with another abject display that drew boos from home supporters at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, forced the board to recognize that Frank's position had become unsustainable. This managerial change comes at a critical juncture, with Arsenal arriving at their rival's stadium no worse than level on points with Manchester City at the Premier League summit and seeking a fourth consecutive victory on enemy territory.
Arteta's Respectful Tribute to a Colleague
While Tottenham faces uncertainty, Arteta chose to focus on sending well wishes to his departing colleague. The Arsenal manager stated: 'Well, it's obviously very sad news when you have a colleague that doesn't continue doing his job, because Thomas is an excellent coach, and an extraordinary man as well—and he's proven that in the league.'
Arteta continued: 'We know where we are, and how our responsibility is beyond just performance, and I wish him all the very best with whatever he decides to do next.' This gracious response underscores the mutual respect between Premier League managers, even amidst intense rivalry.
Preparations Amid Managerial Change
When questioned about whether his preparations would change with a new face in the opposition dugout, Arteta revealed: 'I think it's happened a lot of times already this season for us. At the end, you learn the lesson that not only with the change of manager, but what you expect a manager to do against you as well, because it has changed a lot this season.'
The Arsenal manager emphasized his team's focus on their own approach: 'So we focus more on us and what we want to achieve, the way we want to play, the things we want to happen in the game in relation to what they do tactically—because their setup is one thing; their player profile is another thing, and momentum of the game and context is something else.'
Arteta added: 'We have to be able to adapt and recognize that, and understand those clues to do what we have to do.' This pragmatic approach highlights Arsenal's determination to maintain their title challenge regardless of opposition changes.
Managerial Challenges in the Premier League
Pressed on whether eight months represents sufficient time for any new manager to implement their ideas with a Premier League squad, Arteta responded thoughtfully: 'I don't know, because you have to go into those discussions and what they agreed on, how they saw the club, or the evolution of the squad, or the performances that are expected.'
He clarified: 'I don't know, I can just talk about [Thomas] Frank, what I know as a coach because I've faced him many times and how he prefers his teams and what he did at Brentford as well. Or the way they [Spurs] looked in pre-season when we played them. They were really impressive.'
Arteta concluded with a reflection on the league's competitiveness: 'But at the end of the day, this league is so competitive. We are all vulnerable because anybody can be on the day, you know that, and that's really tough to manage.' This acknowledgment underscores the unpredictable nature of Premier League football, where managerial changes can provide immediate impetus but also create instability.
As Tottenham begins their search for a permanent replacement—with betting odds favoring candidates like Robert De Zerbi and Mauricio Pochettino—Arteta's respectful response serves as a reminder of the human element behind the high-stakes world of football management. The upcoming north London derby now carries additional intrigue, with Arsenal seeking to capitalize on their rival's turmoil while Tottenham hopes for a new manager bounce to revive their faltering season.
