Thomas Frank's job was hanging by a thread, and he knew it. After a string of disappointing results and a palpable sense of unease surrounding Tottenham, he was facing a must-win Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund. Could one tactical masterstroke really save his career?
Frank's options were severely limited. Injuries and squad imbalances meant he had a barebones selection to choose from, with only 11 established outfield players available for the crucial home game. The pre-match chatter revolved around who would start at left-back: Djed Spence or Destiny Udogie. Most expected Frank to choose one or the other.
But here's where it gets controversial... When the team sheets were released, Frank threw everyone a curveball by naming both Spence and Udogie in the starting lineup, leaving Randal Kolo Muani, the high-profile loan signing from Paris Saint-Germain, warming the bench. This was a particularly bitter pill for Kolo Muani, who must be questioning his decision to join Spurs on a temporary basis given his lack of playing time.
Initially, the assumption was that Spence would slot in as a left winger in a conventional 4-2-3-1 formation. During the pre-match warm-up, Tottenham's players practiced with a back four consisting of Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Cristian Romero, and Udogie. Dortmund's analysts in the stands diligently took notes, seemingly confirming Frank's predictable approach.
But this was all a carefully orchestrated deception. Frank, seemingly devoid of any surprise tactics, was about to pull a rabbit out of the hat. As the match commenced, it became clear that Tottenham were lining up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Udogie was deployed as the left-sided centre-half, while Spence operated as a left wing-back, providing width and attacking impetus down the flank.
Many had written off the possibility of Frank reverting to a three-at-the-back system after the disastrous experiment against Arsenal in late November. In that match, he started with a defensive 5-4-1 formation, which quickly unraveled. Despite switching to a more attacking 4-3-3 in the second half, Tottenham were already 2-0 down and ultimately succumbed to a comprehensive 4-1 defeat. Now, facing immense pressure and with his job on the line after a demoralizing 2-1 home defeat to West Ham, Frank was gambling everything on this unconventional setup.
Imagine the backlash if this tactical gamble had backfired! A similar performance to the Arsenal game – a cautious, uninspired approach leading to another defeat – would have surely sealed his fate. But against Dortmund, it worked, and it worked brilliantly. In the face of adversity, at his darkest hour, Frank showed true bravery by sticking to his conviction. The 2-0 victory has breathed new life into his tenure and potentially unearthed a winning formula for the future.
Frank has a history of using pre-match warm-ups to mislead opponents. Prior to their Champions League clash against PSG, the focus was on whether he would persist with a back five. During the warm-up at the Parc des Princes, Tottenham practiced with a five-man defence. However, Frank surprised everyone by deploying a 4-4-2 diamond formation, with Archie Gray playing at the tip of the diamond, though he often dropped deep to bolster the midfield.
This man-marking approach in midfield proved partially successful. Tottenham performed well for the first 50 minutes, even taking a 2-1 lead before eventually losing 5-3. Against Dortmund, however, the three-at-the-back system was a resounding success. Dortmund, currently second in the Bundesliga, appeared visibly surprised and struggled to cope with Spence's dynamic forward runs and the creativity of Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons in the No. 10 roles.
Tottenham played with tempo and precision, dominating the first half. Dortmund's woes were compounded by Daniel Svensson's red card in the 26th minute for a rash challenge on Odobert. Dortmund coach Niko Kovac initially switched to a 4-4-1 formation but reverted to a three-man defence in the second half. However, by then, Tottenham were already 2-0 up, and the damage was irreversible.
Frank had previously experimented with three centre-backs in the European Super Cup against PSG in August. He labelled it a "special operation" for his first game in charge, acknowledging that he had only had six weeks to prepare the team. The implication was that he would eventually transition to a more attacking 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation. However, that night against PSG, Tottenham lined up in a 5-3-2 and performed admirably, ultimately losing on penalties.
The three-centre-back system might not be universally popular among Tottenham fans, who may perceive it as too defensive or too "Frank." However, the Dortmund game showcased its potential benefits. It allows Porro to venture into advanced positions from right wing-back, providing quality crosses, and offers greater defensive cover for Spence, who has sometimes struggled with his defensive responsibilities. Odobert and Simons were given license to roam and exploit space behind the defence, addressing Tottenham's previous struggles in this area. And then there was Dominic Solanke.
The centre-forward has endured a torrid season, with a complicated ankle injury sidelining him for the first five months. "It's been one of the hardest moments of my life," he admitted. "It got to a point where I didn't quite know when I was going to be back. I didn't have that clarity, which was probably the hardest part." Solanke made his first start of the season against Dortmund, marking it with his first goal – a fortunate finish that secured the 2-0 victory. He brings relentless pressing to the forward line, providing a focal point for the team to play off, as well as a significant goal threat.
Tottenham need to improve their Premier League form, starting with their upcoming match against Burnley. The road ahead remains uncertain for Frank. But, like his predecessor, Ange Postecoglou, he has the potential to find solace in European competition. If Frank can secure a win against Eintracht Frankfurt next Wednesday in the final group stage match, Tottenham will advance directly to the last 16 of the Champions League. Could this European success act as a shield, protecting him from the sack, at least until the knockout stages in mid-March? Even if they don't win, Spurs are guaranteed at least a playoff spot, which would be played in mid-to-late February.
This was the case for Postecoglou last season, whose progress in the Europa League kept him in the job despite the team's declining domestic form. Postecoglou even secured a victory against Frankfurt in the second leg of the quarter-final, with a Solanke penalty proving decisive. Frank aims to achieve more than just survival. But for now, he would undoubtedly settle for that.
What do you think? Is Frank's tactical gamble a sign of things to come, or just a temporary fix? Can European success truly protect him from the chopping block, even if the Premier League form remains inconsistent? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
