Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank is not worried about losing his job following this month’s home defeat to West Ham United.

After a 2-1 defeat at home to the Hammers, Frank’s seven-month tenure at Spurs looked to be in serious doubt as he was loudly booed by his own fans, who chanted that he would be “sacked in the morning”.

Those chants were echoed again during last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Burnley.

But the Dane went on to lead Spurs into the last 16 of the Champions League after a 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday ensured Tottenham’s top four finish.

Sunday, February 1, 4:00 pm

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Attention now returns to the Premier League, where Tottenham are struggling. The defending Europa League champions are 14th in the table, just eight points above the relegation zone.

Two wins from 14 league games has put Frank under pressure ahead of a daunting schedule in February, which kicks off with a home game against Manchester City on Sunday, live sky sportsUp next are games against Manchester United, Newcastle and north London rivals Arsenal.

In an exclusive interview sky sports news Ahead of Manchester City’s match against Michael Bridges this weekend, Frank discussed those “getting sacked” chants, getting backing from the top amid sweeping hierarchy changes at the club and wanting to defend himself more.

At the start of the season, could you have imagined being 14th in the Premier League table and finishing in the top four in the Champions League?

“If I look back, it was definitely not a guess or a prediction on my part.

“I know this season is going to be a transition season. I know we have big ambitions. We really want to do well. We all know where we want to go. But where the club and the team go from to where we want to go, I know there will be a transition. There will be ups and downs. I fully expected us to be higher. Our aim was to finish higher in the Premier League and do better. That’s what’s disappointing. That’s what we’re working towards.”

“I think we looked more consistent and competitive, especially the last 10 games. Also, there were some ups and downs before, but it looks like the direction is in the right direction. The last three games, we’re definitely moving in that direction and that’s what we need to continue to do.”

There was noise after the West Ham and Burnley results – do you think qualifying for the Champions League last 16 has earned the right to stop the noise for a while?

“I think when you’re at a big club like Tottenham with huge ambitions and a fantastic, huge fan base and you don’t get where you want to be, there’s always noise.

“That’s what I expect and there should be noise. All I know is we’ll get there eventually and we’ll get through it. And then we’ll be in a better position and then the noise will lessen.”

Did you have any concerns about your job when you lost at home to West Ham United?

“No. I would say it has nothing to do with me, but of course I understand how football works. It’s easier to just blame the manager.

“I think the feeling we have is of a very committed team. It’s a very committed staff. It’s very committed leadership at the top of the club, Vinay (Venkatesham – Tottenham chief executive) and John (Langer – Tottenham sporting director).

“It’s a very loyal ownership and I feel the support of everyone. I’ve done it from day one and I still feel that way. Of course it’s been stormy weather when we didn’t get where we wanted to but I think we need to get better results, no doubt about it. But with all the underlying things behind the scenes, we’re on the right path.

“Hopefully all the hard work will be realized with continued good performances and wins.”

There have been a lot of changes at Tottenham’s senior level since Daniel Levy left, so is it fair to reflect that?

“I think it’s fair. I think Daniel is an integral part of the club. Of course, there are new ways of doing things. I think a lot of people at the top in the organization have changed. I think everything is getting better. It does seem to be going in the right direction. The better we get to know each other, Vinay, John, the different directors and me, the better it will be.”

How difficult was it to walk out of the Burnley Stadium when the fans were upset with you?

“Of course, it’s hard. Of course it is. It’s hard when you feel like you’re playing a game that you’re going to get more out of it and you don’t get it.

“There’s also a good study of English football culture because the whole stand at Burnley was literally signing, ‘You’ll be sacked in the morning’, and everyone, from 12-year-olds to 25-year-olds to 70-year-olds. But that’s what it is. I understand that.”

But you’ve never had anything like this in Brentford?

“No, but I experienced it at Brondby, so that’s the way it is. Do you want to avoid it? Yes, of course. You don’t like it.

“But a couple of things – number one, I work really hard every day. I’m able to do everything I can with a lot of good people to make sure we turn this around. I have no doubt we’re going to be done with it. Number two, I’m grounded. I know how to show resilience. I think I have good values. I understand reality and I have a perspective on life, so that helps.”

You’ve lost key players like James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke, while talisman Son Heung-min is no longer at the club, but you never use that as an excuse when it’s the truth. Do you ever feel like you should advocate for yourself more?

“I do feel like sometimes I want to defend myself a little more.

“I actually calculated the other day that the number of goals (conceded) by these four players in all games throughout the season is 50 to 60, and the number of assists (conceded) is almost the same.

“That’s hard to replace, especially with young players or new players coming from a different league. It’s difficult. So there’s no doubt that’s part of the reason why we don’t have as much free flow.”

What does this mean for supporters who don’t care about excuses and want someone else to be accountable?

“First and foremost, we’re here for the supporters. I’m here. The players want the supporters to be happy and proud of the team. That’s one thing. I’m working very hard to make sure they’re proud of the team.

“There are still magic moments and good performances this season, but as time goes on, I have no doubt that we’ll get to where we want to be. I’m very, very clear on where we need to be. Very, very clear on what we need to do and what we need to do.”

“We’re totally aligned, the leadership of this club. What we need to do, where we want to go. And then we just need a little bit of momentum, a little bit of profit, and then we’ll get there.”

Having 3,500 Spurs fans applaud you and the players after Wednesday’s win over Eintracht Frankfurt – did that show you how winning can turn things around?

“That’s the beauty of football. You’re right. A few wins, a few good performances. Then everyone will be a little bit happier because we all want the same thing.

“We want Tottenham to succeed. We want this wonderful football club to succeed. It’s a good feeling to see the happy smiles on the fans’ faces.”