“We’re in the Same S— Together” – Frank on Dyche Bond Ahead of Forest Trip

Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank does not often single out peers, but his words about Sean Dyche landed with unusual candor this week. Ahead of Spurs’ visit to Nottingham Forest on Sunday, Frank said Dyche understands him better than any other manager in football, precisely because they are dealing with the same pressures, expectations, and scrutiny.

It was a revealing admission at a moment when both managers are navigating demanding jobs and thin margins for error in the Premier League.

Spurs head into the match seeking a third straight victory, following wins over Brentford and Slavia Prague that have eased some of the tension around Frank’s tenure. Results have steadied the mood, but the wider context remains delicate. Tottenham are still searching for consistency, and every fixture carries consequences for momentum and belief.

Frank’s respect for Dyche is rooted in shared experience rather than shared style. The 52 year old has long cited Dyche’s work at Burnley as a reference point, particularly the clarity and resilience that defined a decade-long spell at Turf Moor. Dyche twice took Burnley into the Premier League and guided the club to its first European qualification since 1967, before his dismissal in April 2022.

After a two-year stint at Everton, Dyche returned to the dugout in October, replacing Ange Postecoglou at Nottingham Forest. His impact was immediate. Forest has won six of his 11 matches across all competitions, a return that underlines his reputation as a manager who can stabilize teams quickly.

Speaking on Friday, Frank framed their relationship as something forged in realism rather than ideology. “Of course, some you meet in different circumstances for whatever reason, when you come together as coaches and talk about life and football,” he said. “I think it is fair to say we are the only ones that really understand each other. We are in the same s— together, dealing with the same problems and all sorts of things.”

It is a line that cuts through the usual managerial diplomacy. Frank is pointing to the unique strain of leading clubs where expectations are high, resources are debated, and patience can be limited. In that sense, his connection with Dyche is less about tactics and more about survival.

That bond, however, will be put aside once the whistle blows. Frank was quick to stress that collegial respect does not soften competition. “Of course, when we play against each other, it is very competitive,” he added. For Tottenham, this trip represents a chance to confirm that recent wins were not a blip. For Forest, it is another opportunity to build on Dyche’s early momentum.

Beyond the Dyche discussion, Frank also addressed growing speculation around Dominic Solanke’s fitness. The striker recently posted an image featuring an hourglass emoji on social media, prompting suggestions that his return is imminent after a long layoff with an ankle injury.

Frank cooled that excitement. Solanke has been sidelined since July, and the issue has lingered longer than initially expected. “I guess it is good news when he posts that,” Frank said. “With Dom, because it is an injury that he picked up in July, it’s dragged on for a while.”

There was a note of fatigue in his response, not toward the player, but toward the constant questioning. Frank acknowledged the interest while making clear that nothing has changed in practical terms. “I am happy to answer these questions; I just get a little bit bored of them because let’s talk about Forest—it is much more interesting,” he said. “I’ll have much better news when I can say now he’s training fully with the team; he’s available soon.”

Solanke’s absence continues to shape Tottenham’s attacking options, and his eventual return could alter the dynamic of their season. Until then, Frank is focused on the immediate challenge, a well-organized Forest side led by a manager who knows exactly what this kind of pressure feels like.

Sunday’s meeting is not just about points. It is about whose approach holds firm under strain and whether Spurs can turn brief relief into sustained progress. For Frank and Dyche, the shared understanding ends at kickoff. What follows may say plenty about where both clubs are heading next.