Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pays tribute to Thomas Frank following his sacking by Tottenham.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has paid tribute to Thomas Frank after the Dane was dismissed by Tottenham Hotspur, describing him as both an “excellent coach” and an “extraordinary man.”
Frank was relieved of his duties on Wednesday following a damaging run of results that left Spurs sitting just five points above the relegation zone in 16th place.
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 departure marks a sharp fall from the heights he previously reached in English football. After earning widespread praise for his work at Brentford, he struggled to replicate that success in North London, with Tottenham’s season unravelling amid inconsistent performances and mounting pressure from supporters.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League trip to Brentford, Arteta admitted he was saddened by the news. “Thomas is an excellent coach. He is an extraordinary man as well and he has proven that in the Premier League,” Arteta told reporters. “We know our responsibility is beyond just performance. Sometimes results dictate what happens to us. I wish him all the very best for whatever he wants to do next.”
The timing of Frank’s exit adds intrigue to the upcoming North London derby on February 22, when Tottenham will host Arsenal under either an interim boss or a newly appointed permanent manager.
The Spaniard explained that frequent managerial changes across the league have forced Arsenal to adapt their preparation. Rather than attempting to anticipate how a new coach might alter tactics, Arteta said his team has learned to focus primarily on their own structure and principles. “The set-up is one thing, the player profile is another thing and the momentum of the game and context is something else,” he noted.
When asked whether Premier League clubs have become too impatient with managers, Arteta offered a measured response. He stressed that each club operates within its own context but admitted that vulnerability is part of the job in such a competitive league. “This league is so competitive. We are all vulnerable because anybody can beat you on the day and that’s really tough to manage,” he said.
Looking ahead to Arsenal’s immediate fixture list, Arteta confirmed that late decisions would be made regarding the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, while Max Dowman remains unavailable.
