Under-pressure Tottenham manager Thomas Frank believes he retains the faith of the club's board after speculation about his future following a string of bad results in a troubled season.
Frank was taunted in chants by Tottenham’s own fans during Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to West Ham that left his team in 14th place in the Premier League and with just one win in its last eight games in all competitions.
A day before facing Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, the Danish coach said in a news conference Monday that he'd had lunch with leading figures at the club, including CEO Vinai Venkatesham.
“I have just been feeling the trust along the way,” said Frank, adding that the current scrutiny was simply “part of the media circus.”
Frank said he had “no doubt” he could win back the support of disgruntled fans who called for his departure during the West Ham game and asked for “resilience” in tough times.
“As I have said many times, as long as we win football matches and make sure we win enough of them, then everyone will support us,” Frank said on the BBC. “It is not about me. It is about supporting each other, supporting the team, the players.”
Frank was hired during the offseason, leaving Brentford after nearly a decade to become the replacement for Ange Postecoglou at Spurs. They won the Europa League under Postecoglou to end a 17-year trophy drought but finished in 17th place in the Premier League last season.
Frank was supposed to bring more solidity and tactical discipline to the team. Yet, for many fans, the chaos of Postecoglou's reign has been replaced by lethargy and a lack of creativity under Frank.
While Tottenham is decently placed in 11th in the 36-club Champions League standings, the team is out of both domestic cups and has won only seven of its 22 Premier League games. Its home form is particularly poor, with six defeats in 11 league matches at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium already.
“If your back is against the wall, you fight,” Frank said. “I am energetic and I fight. It is not about me, we need to win football matches and we need to do that together.”
Frank said Tottenham would have just 11 senior outfield players available against Dortmund because of injuries or suspensions.
“We probably have three players that need to push massively to get through 90 minutes physically,” Frank added.
“We need everyone to support us from minute one. Especially the team, especially the players. If we get that support, anything can happen. Magic can happen.”
Tottenham has removed French striker Mathys Tel from its Champions League squad to accommodate the return of fit-again Dominic Solanke.
“It was not a nice decision to have to make, but unfortunately that is football,” Frank said.
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Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United in London, Saturday Jan. 17, 2026. (John Walton/PA via AP)
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank gestures during a press conference in London, Monday Jan. 19, 2026, one day ahead of their Champions League soccer match against Borussia Dortmund. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank looks on during a training session in London, Monday Jan. 19, 2026, one day ahead of their Champions League soccer match against Borussia Dortmund. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — The death toll from suspected gangsters’ attacks on Guatemalan police rose to nine Monday, as Guatemalans awoke to heavier security and curtailed rights after President Bernardo Arévalo declared a state of emergency.
The violence started Saturday when inmates took control of three prisons in apparently coordinated riots, taking 43 guards hostage. The gangs were demanding privileges for their members and leaders, according to authorities. Shortly after police liberated one prison Sunday morning, suspected gang members attacked police across the capital.
On Monday, National Civil Police Director David Custodio Boteo said that a ninth police officer had died early Monday from his injuries, adding that “there are several wounded who are in critical condition ... Some also suffered amputations.”
Police honored the fallen officers in a ceremony Monday, where flag-draped coffins sat in the Interior Ministry.
“Today it pains me to give each one of the families this flag, symbol of the nation that will not forget the sacrifice and commitment of their police fallen in the fulfillment of their duty,” Arévalo said Monday.
Meanwhile, the government gazette published Monday Arévalo’s declaration of a 30-day state of emergency, saying there were “coordinated actions by self-named maras or gangs against state security forces, including armed attacks against civilian authorities.”
Among the rights that the declaration limits are freedom of action, demonstrations and carrying weapons. It also allows police to arrest people without providing a just cause and security forces could also prohibit the movement of vehicles in certain places or subject them to searches.
The state of emergency requires congressional approval and lawmakers were expected to vote Monday. However, it went into effect Sunday.
The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala had instructed U.S. government personnel to shelter in place Sunday. That was lifted later in the day, but they were “advised to maintain a high level of caution when traveling.”
In October, the Congress reformed laws to declare members of the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha gangs terrorists. The changes lengthened prison sentences for gang members who commit crimes.
The United States government also declared those gangs foreign terrorist organizations last year.
As a safety precaution, school was suspended nationwide Monday.
Security forces enter the Preventivo Zona 18 prison to free guards taken hostage and retake control of the facility in Guatemala City, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Emmanuel Andres)
The wake for police officers killed while retaking control of three prisons is held at the Interior Ministry in Guatemala City, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
The wake for police officers killed while retaking control of three prisons is held at the Interior Ministry in Guatemala City, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
The wake for police officers killed while retaking control of three prisons is held at the Interior Ministry in Guatemala City, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Inmates stand atop a guard tower at the Renovation maximum-security prison before security forces entered the facility to free guards taken hostage in Escuintla, Guatemala, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
A medic checks on freed prison guards outside the Renovation maximum-security prison after security forces entered the facility to retake control in Escuintla, Guatemala, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Security forces enter the Renovation maximum-security prison to free guards taken hostage and retake control of the facility, which houses gang leaders, in Escuintla, Guatemala, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
A soldier takes position in an armored vehicle outside the Preventivo Zona 18 prison during an operation to free guards taken hostage and retake control of the facility in Guatemala City, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Emmanuel Andres)
Forensic investigators place evidence markers at the scene where police officers were killed in attacks reported after security forces retook control of a prison that houses gang leaders, in Villanueva, outskirts of Guatemala City, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
