Denmark Boss Riemer: “Sad to See Thomas Frank Fired – Tottenham's Issues Are Much Larger”

Brian Riemer

Brian Riemer defends ex-colleague Thomas Frank after Spurs sacking: “The club has big problems... he was made the scapegoat.” Interview with Bold.dk.

“It's always sad to see a good friend get fired. Because there's no doubt that Thomas is a very capable coach...”

Denmark boss Brian Riemer claims Tottenham's issues run far deeper than Thomas Frank, insisting the sacked manager was made a scapegoat for the club's longstanding problems.

In an interview with Danish outlet Bold.dk following Frank's dismissal on February 11, 2026, Riemer, Frank's former assistant at Brentford and now head coach of the Danish national team, defended his compatriot and highlighted systemic troubles at Spurs.

“Thomas Frank worked day and night for Tottenham, but it's clear to see that the club has big problems,” Riemer said. He suggested that firing Frank addresses only the surface, with deeper structural and performance issues at the club predating and extending beyond the Dane's short tenure.

Riemer, who worked closely with Frank during their successful years at Brentford before parting ways in 2022, emphasized that the recent poor results and Frank's sacking do not reflect solely on the manager's abilities. Instead, he pointed to broader challenges at Tottenham, including inconsistent performances, squad issues, and perhaps board-level decisions that have contributed to the team's slide to 16th in the Premier League.

This comes as Tottenham seek stability amid one of their most turbulent periods in recent history, with Frank's exit marking yet another managerial change since the post-Pochettino era. Riemer's comments add weight to growing fan and pundit views that the problems at Spurs are institutional rather than isolated to any one coach.

“I have enormous respect for the work that Thomas delivers. I saw in Brentford in detail how skilled and structured he works,” says Riemer, and elaborates:

“Now he appears as the scapegoat, and that's sad. When I look at Tottenham, the club has had big structural problems for a long time. Something that goes back much further than before Thomas joined the club last summer.”

Tottenham's management couldn't take it anymore - eight games without a win and just five points above the relegation zone. The club has parted ways with Thomas Frank, who had been in charge for less than eight months. Riemer expressed his sentiments, saying, “It's always sad to see a good friend get fired. Because there's no doubt that Thomas is a very capable coach.”

The Club has taken the decision to make a change in the Men’s Head Coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today.

Thomas was appointed in June 2025, and we have been determined to give him the time and support needed to build for the future together.

However, results and… pic.twitter.com/mo82TaAXts

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 11, 2026

Frank's tenure was marked by inconsistent results, with the team winning just seven of 26 Premier League games. They've also been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions. The decision to sack Frank comes after a 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle United, which left fans frustrated and chanting for his removal.

Tottenham is set to face London rivals Arsenal on Sunday, February 22 at 17:30 CET, amidst uncertainty over Thomas Frank's replacement. The club sacked Frank after a dismal run, winning just two of 17 Premier League games, leaving them 16th in the table, five points above relegation.

Potential candidates to replace Frank include Mauricio Pochettino, Roberto De Zerbi, and John Heitinga, with Pochettino's return generating significant interest among Spurs fans. Other contenders are Enzo Maresca, Edin Terzic, and Xabi Alonso.