Tottenham coach faces backlash over Arsenal-branded coffee cup
By BBC, January 8, 2026It was another damaging result in a season that has brought plenty of frustration for the Spurs faithful, with their club now 14th in the Premier League after only two wins in 12 matches.
But then came the image that added to the pressure on Tottenham’s coach, Thomas Frank.
Before kick‑off on Wednesday night, he was photographed strolling around the Vitality Stadium with a coffee cup emblazoned with Arsenal branding – a strange choice if you are the manager of a club that shares a fierce rivalry with the Gunners and current league leaders.
With the Dane already struggling to win over unhappy Spurs supporters since replacing Europa League-winning Ange Postecoglou in the summer, it was an incident that invited ridicule and left him under more scrutiny.
“I definitely did not notice it,” said Frank afterwards. “It would be completely stupid of me to take it if I knew.
“It’s a little bit sad in football that I need to be asked about it. I would never do something that stupid.
“I think we’re definitely going in the wrong direction if we need to worry about me having a cup with a logo of another club.”
BBC Sport understands Frank was handed his customary coffee on his arrival at the stadium by a staff member in the cup which was brought by Arsenal, who played at Bournemouth only four days earlier.
Neither Frank nor a staff member spotted the Arsenal crest on the cup until it was too late.
But the unfortunate turn of events at Bournemouth was too easy for fans and critics to latch on to after Spurs failed to build on another positive start – just like they did against Sunderland at the weekend where they were held to a 1-1 draw.
Mathys Tel scored inside five minutes to give Frank’s side a dream start, but Bournemouth hit back to lead through Evanilson and Eli Junior Kroupi.
Joao Palhinha made it 2-2 with 12 minutes left, however, it was the Cherries who collected the three points as the departing Antoine Semenyo struck a dramatic winner five minutes into added time.