Van de Ven and Spence apologize to Frank after post-match incident

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has confirmed that defenders Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence have apologized to him after walking straight down the tunnel following their 1–0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday. 

The two players were seen ignoring Frank when he asked the team to complete a lap of appreciation around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a gesture that drew criticism from fans and pundits.

During a press conference ahead of Tottenham’s Champions League match against Copenhagen, Frank explained that both players visited his office the following day to apologize. 

He said they told him they had not intended to show disrespect and were simply frustrated by the performance and the booing from fans.

The manager noted that he appreciated their honesty and willingness to clear up the misunderstanding, describing their actions as a sign of maturity and respect.

The incident took place against the backdrop of growing frustration among supporters, who voiced their anger after yet another disappointing home result. Tottenham have not won a Premier League home game since the opening day of the season, when they beat Burnley 3–0. 

Across the last 19 home fixtures under former coach Ange Postecoglou and now Frank, the club have managed only three wins, with Southampton the only side in England’s top four divisions to record fewer home victories in that period.

Frank said he considered the issue resolved, adding that the players’ apology showed their commitment to the team and the club. 

He explained that if they had not approached him, he would have spoken to them to understand their reasons, since misunderstandings could arise from personal frustrations or disappointment after a loss. 

The manager viewed their decision to come forward as a positive step that demonstrated they cared about maintaining harmony within the squad.

Addressing the booing from fans, Frank acknowledged that supporters had the right to express their frustration after poor performances but emphasized that such reactions during matches could harm the team’s morale. 

He said he believed the fans had been supportive in the first half-hour against Chelsea but needed to continue encouraging the players when things were not going well, as their energy could help change the course of the game.