Tottenham Players Granted Christmas Day Off Amid Struggles

Thomas Frank has announced that Tottenham Hotspur players will have Christmas Day off, aligning the break with their preparation for the upcoming match against Crystal Palace on December 27, 2023. The decision comes amid a challenging start for the team, which currently sits in 14th place in the Premier League following five defeats in their last eight matches across all competitions.

In response to concerns regarding the perception of giving players a day off during the festive period, Frank explained that the schedule was consistent with regular weekly routines. “This week we actually handle in the same way I would have done with any other week. If it was not Christmas, it was still done the same,” he stated. He clarified that the team would train for two days before the holiday and then resume training post-Christmas.

Frank emphasized the importance of professionalism among his players, remarking, “Some need to be guided more than others, but also they are grown-up individuals.” He noted that if he needed to provide constant oversight, it would indicate a more significant issue within the squad.

As the team prepares for their trip to Crystal Palace, Frank will be without captain Cristian Romero and Xavi Simons, both suspended. Romero faces an additional charge from the Football Association (FA) for improper conduct following his red card in the match against Liverpool. The FA stated, “It is alleged he acted in an improper manner by failing to promptly leave the field of play and/or behaving in a confrontational and/or aggressive manner towards the match referee after he was sent off in the 93rd minute.”

Despite the current difficulties, Frank draws parallels between his time at Tottenham and his earlier management role at Brøndby in 2013, where he faced a similarly rocky start. He reflected on his experiences, noting, “I think I see a lot of similarities to my first head coach job. Of course, completely different scale. This is, of course, a massive club. One of the biggest clubs in the world and so much focus on it.”

Frank acknowledged the heightened expectations at Tottenham compared to his previous roles, particularly given the simultaneous demands of competing in the Premier League and the Champions League. “We try to improve while we are driving 100 miles an hour, but that’s part of it. That’s a good challenge,” he added.

As the team works to enhance their performance consistency, Frank remains focused on fostering a competitive spirit within the squad. “I think I see a lot of good things we improve, but it’s all about how can we have even more consistency in performances? How can you create consistency in performances day in, day out? That’s the thing we’re working on every single day.”

With the holiday break in place, Spurs fans will be hoping for a turnaround in form as the team embarks on crucial fixtures in the coming weeks.