Thomas Frank has emerged as a potential contender for the Crystal Palace managerial position after being dismissed by Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs opted to sack the Dane just eight months into his spell in charge following a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United, abruptly ending his tenure in north London.
Although Tottenham showed early promise under Frank and boasted one of the strongest away records in the Premier League, their dreadful home form — with only two wins — proved costly. The slump left the club nervously looking over their shoulder in a relegation battle, ultimately leading to his exit.
Despite the disappointment, former Palace chairman Simon Jordan believes Frank remains capable of succeeding at the highest level. Speaking on White and Jordan alongside Jim White, Jordan acknowledged the setback to Frank’s reputation but stressed that his overall credentials should not be dismissed.
“Setbacks are part of football,” Jordan explained. “He’s taken a hit, but development isn’t always linear. To claim he can’t manage in the Premier League is ridiculous. He’s shown he can build and lead teams — perhaps just not a ‘big six’ club at this moment.”
Jordan suggested Frank’s next opportunity could come at a smaller top-flight side and named Palace as a sensible option should Oliver Glasner leave at the end of the campaign.
However, he admitted Palace fans might feel uneasy given Tottenham’s struggles. “Supporters could understandably question bringing in someone whose side was dragged into a relegation fight,” he said, adding that there were likely deeper issues behind Frank’s downfall at Spurs.
Following his departure, reports claimed Frank repeatedly referenced Arsenal, which allegedly frustrated certain players. He was also pictured using an Arsenal-branded mug prior to a January loss to AFC Bournemouth, while tensions reportedly arose over strict punctuality standards at training.
Jordan brushed off much of the criticism, instead questioning the conduct of some players. “If that narrative is being pushed, it reflects badly on the dressing room as well,” he argued. “I doubt he’s careless enough to constantly talk about Arsenal. Players leaking stories through agents and media outlets deserve scrutiny too.”
Frank’s dismissal was said to have been decided at half-time during the defeat to Newcastle. Although he walked away with a significant payoff, he is expected to pursue a quick return to the dugout.
While his short-lived stint at Spurs ended in disappointment, it is unlikely to erase the strong reputation he built at Brentford, where he earned widespread praise as one of the league’s most forward-thinking managers.
