Spurs defenders Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence cut frustrated figures as they walked off the pitch after the final whistle of their Premier League defeat to Chelsea on Saturday. They even refused the bidding of head coach Thomas Frank to go join their teammates in showing respect to the supporters, but Frank says […]
Tensions flared at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday evening as Djed Spence appeared to snub Thomas Frank following Spurs’ 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, sparking widespread debate.
What initially looked like a brief post-match exchange quickly turned into a moment of visible frustration, one that raised questions about dressing room unity and player-management dynamics at Tottenham.
The incident occurred moments after the final whistle, when cameras captured Spence and teammate Micky van de Ven walking past Frank and refusing to shake his hand.
Both players appeared visibly angry after a disappointing loss, but it was Spence’s reaction that drew the most attention.
What Djed Spence told manager Thomas Frank
According to Daily Mail lip-reading expert Jeremy Freeman, the 24-year-old was heard saying: “I ain’t doing it… go away,” before waving off his manager’s attempts to engage him.
Freeman also suggested Spence muttered “leave me… off” during the brief exchange, although that part of the dialogue was less clear.
The emotional outburst came after a tense match in which Tottenham struggled to create chances, with Chelsea’s tactical discipline frustrating the home side.
For Spence, who has recently broken into the England setup and earned praise for his energetic displays, the defeat was clearly difficult to take.
Football journalist Oliver Holt described the exchange as “a worrying sign,” suggesting it might indicate growing tension within the squad after a run of inconsistent results.
Have Spurs defender and manager fallen out?
Djed Spence of Tottenham (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Yet, insiders at Tottenham insist the relationship between Frank and Spence remains professional, emphasising that both men share mutual respect and a desire to move forward.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp added perspective, saying, “You want your players to show emotion. Djed’s young, ambitious, and clearly frustrated. The key now is how the manager handles it, whether he turns that fire into motivation.”
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