Steven Gerrard has no nonsense message for Tottenham players after Thomas Frank firing

Tottenham parted company with Thomas Frank after the home defeat to Newcastle left the club in danger at the bottom of the Premier League table with the players in the firing line

Steven Gerrard has called out the Tottenham squad(Image: Getty Images)

Steven Gerrard has pointed the finger at Tottenham's players following the firing of boss Thomas Frank.

Frank was relieved of his duties on Wednesday following Spurs' home defeat to Newcastle. That loss left the club in 16th in the Premier League table, just five points outside of the relegation zone.

He had only been appointed in the summer after doing an excellent job at Brentford but the club confirmed it had decided to part ways in a statement. Ex-Liverpool assistant John Heitinga has emerged as a contender to take the role until the end of the season, with an interim appointment appearing likely.

Liverpool legend Gerrard believes Frank did not have the support of the Tottenham locker room and suggests the players need to be held accountable.

Speaking on TNT Sports ahead of the Reds' game against Sunderland, he said: "If I was a Tottenham player sat at home, I would feel guilty because from the off, I don't think the players have given Thomas Frank a chance, collectively and consistently.

"It is happening too often in these situations where the manager gets the blame. It is quite clear to me that there are a few players in that locker room who have under-performed and need to have a long, hard look at themselves.

"Maybe he wasn't a huge, box office name but he deserved that opportunity to be the Tottenham manager. Collectively, they have let him down. The players have to take a lot of responsibility for this firing."

Despite Spurs languishing towards the bottom of the table, Gerrard doesn't think it was the wrong appointment and believes Frank deserved a crack at one of the biggest jobs in the Premier League.

He added: "I think it was a good appointment at the time. He was outstanding at Brentford and deserved the opportunity. But with all due respect, it is a very different job in terms of expectation and pressure.

"At Brentford it was about picking up enough points to stay in the league. But at Tottenham, you are expected to win. You are following in the footsteps of the likes of Mourinho and Conte so it is a very different job."

Thomas Frank has been fired by Spurs(Image: Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)

Tottenham decided to fire Frank within 24 hours of the loss to Newcastle. A statement read: "The club has taken the decision to make a change in the Men’s Head Coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today.

"Thomas was appointed in June 2025, and we have been determined to give him the time and support needed to build for the future together.

However, results and performances have led the Board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary.

Throughout his time at the club, Thomas has conducted himself with unwavering commitment, giving everything in his efforts to move the club forward. We would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him every success in the future."