Former chairman Daniel Levy was a permanent lightning rod for the anger of Spurs fans. When he departed in September, it was welcomed by the majority but left Frank more in the firing line – and with a shield removed.
Frank was – justifiably – a hugely popular figure at Brentford, not just for his success on the field but the close connection he forged with supporters.
The sight of him leading his players on a post-game lap of honour became familiar – and he would acknowledge faces he recognised in the crowd.
It was ironic, then, that one of the most toxic moments of Frank’s brief reign came at the Gtech on New Year’s Day, when he was greeted with loud jeers from the visiting Spurs fans at the end of a mind-numbing goalless draw.
It was not so easy to forge close bonds in a vast, state-of-the-art arena housing more than 61,000 supporters. They have to be forged by results – results which did not come, winning just two of 11 home league games.
Frank’s post-match lap of honour became a point of contention and controversy when defenders Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven brushed past him and refused to take part after the defeat at home by Chelsea, though they later apologised.
Even if they were angry with fans, the manner in which they brusquely dismissed Frank’s wishes sent out poor signals, raising doubts about his level of control.
For all Spence’s contrition, the manager again faced awkward questions about his defender’s reaction to being substituted during the dismal 3-0 loss at Nottingham Forest.
It has been a miserable, joyless reign. Too often games ended in discontent – a disconnect noted by the club.
Frank certainly never felt the need to publicly criticise his own supporters at Brentford – a move that rarely ends well – but after a defeat by Fulham he declared the booing of goalkeeper Vicario “unacceptable” and not the actions of “true Spurs supporters”.
To do so – even to only a section of the crowd – was a high-risk strategy. He never got the wins to heal that fracture.
Frank’s honesty, upbeat demeanour and results meant he was idolised at Brentford. It was the polar opposite at Spurs.
Time and patience – precious commodities at Brentford – were in short supply. Not just from the post-Levy powerbrokers, but from fans who simply never warmed to Frank, and who were unconvinced by his pedigree and methods.
There was no doubt many Spurs supporters felt Frank was not up to the job from the start – his solid grounding at a smaller club in Brentford not, in their eyes, the background required to wrestle with the unwieldy beast in north London.
Frank needed to make an instant impact to dispel the doubts. He was unable to do so.
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