Former chairman Daniel Levy was a everlasting lightning rod for the anger of Spurs followers. When he departed in September, it was welcomed by the bulk however left Frank extra within the firing line – and with a protect eliminated.

Frank was – justifiably – a vastly common determine at Brentford, not only for his success on the sector however the shut connection he solid with supporters.

The sight of him main his gamers on a post-game lap of honour turned acquainted – and he would acknowledge faces he recognised within the crowd.

It was ironic, then, that one of the crucial poisonous moments of Frank’s temporary reign got here on the Gtech on New 12 months’s Day, when he was greeted with loud jeers from the visiting Spurs followers on the finish of a mind-numbing goalless draw.

It was not really easy to forge shut bonds in an unlimited, state-of-the-art area housing greater than 61,000 supporters. They should be solid by outcomes – outcomes which didn’t come, successful simply two of 11 dwelling league video games.

Frank’s post-match lap of honour turned some extent of rivalry and controversy when defenders Djed Spence and Micky van de Ven brushed previous him and refused to participate after the defeat at dwelling by Chelsea, although they later apologised.

Even when they had been offended with followers, the style wherein they brusquely dismissed Frank’s needs despatched out poor indicators, elevating doubts about his stage of management.

For all Spence’s contrition, the supervisor once more confronted awkward questions on his defender’s response to being substituted through the dismal 3-0 loss at Nottingham Forest.

It has been a depressing, joyless reign. Too usually video games resulted in discontent – a disconnect famous by the membership.

Frank definitely by no means felt the necessity to publicly criticise his personal supporters at Brentford – a transfer that not often ends effectively – however after a defeat by Fulham he declared the booing of goalkeeper Vicario “unacceptable” and never the actions of “true Spurs supporters”.

To take action – even to solely a piece of the group – was a high-risk technique. He by no means bought the wins to heal that fracture.

Frank’s honesty, upbeat manner and outcomes meant he was idolised at Brentford. It was the polar reverse at Spurs.

Time and persistence – treasured commodities at Brentford – had been in brief provide. Not simply from the post-Levy powerbrokers, however from followers who merely by no means warmed to Frank, and who had been unconvinced by his pedigree and strategies.

There was little doubt many Spurs supporters felt Frank was less than the job from the beginning – his strong grounding at a smaller membership in Brentford not, of their eyes, the background required to wrestle with the unwieldy beast in north London.

Frank wanted to make an on the spot influence to dispel the doubts. He was unable to take action.