‘The operation succeeded but the patient died' – Thomas Frank's comments leaves fans stunned after Tottenham loss to PSG
Spurs were 2-0 up against Paris Saint-Germain heading into the closing stages of the match before disaster struck.
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Thomas Frank compared Spurs' loss to PSG to a medical operation
Credit: Getty
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Tottenham had taken a 2-0 lead in the Uefa Super Cup
Credit: Alamy
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But PSG scored two late goals to force penalties
Credit: Alamy
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The French side won the shootout to claim the trophy
Credit: Alamy
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Defenders Micky van de Ven and new captain Cristian Romero had put the North London side in a comfortable position.
However, the Champions League winners fought back with late goals from Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Ramos to force a penalty shootout.
PSG took advantage of misses from Mathys Tel and Van de Ven to win the shootout and claim the trophy.
But after the game, it was Frank's comments that shocked fans after he lost his first competitive match in charge of the club.
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vile abuse Spurs 'disgusted' by racist abuse of Mathys Tel as statement released
The Dane insisted that he was proud of the player's performance but compared the match to an operation that left the patient dead.
He said: "I think the players gave everything, playing against one of the best teams in the world, maybe the best at the moment and I think we were 75, 80 minutes perfect. Almost giving nothing away.
"I knew we had to do something a little bit different against PSG. It was a special operation.
"In medical terms, the operation succeeded but the patient died, so not that good in the end.
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"But we worked on a gameplan that was a little bit different and very close to succeeding."
The bizarre metaphor got supporters talking on social media, with many taken aback by it.
Watch as sacked Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou 'lives his best life' getting hand-fed steak Salt Bae-style
One posted: "If the patient is dead, then surely the operation can't be a success."
A second wrote: "Gonna make a lot of memes this season."
A third commented: "I'm sorry what?"
A fourth said: "The way he described this is hilarious."
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Micky van de Ven saw his penalty saved
Credit: PA
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Mathys Tel was one of two Tottenham players to miss in the shootout
Credit: Getty
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Spurs players had to settle for runners-up medals at the Stadio Friuli in Italy
Credit: Alamy
Another added: "I would be furious if my coach said this."
In the aftermath of the penalty shootout heartbreak Spurs were forced to release a statement condemning racist abuse aimed at Tel.
Meanwhile, the North London club must put the defeat behind them ahead of the new Premier League season.
Spurs start their campaign at home against newly-promoted Burnley, who are managed by former midfielder Scott Parker.
Frank will be hoping that he can lead the team to a much-improved finish this season after the club slumped to 17th last term under Ange Postecoglou.
Spurs slam racist abuse
Tottenham released a statement slamming the racist abuse aimed at Mathys Tel after his penalty miss against PSG.
It read: "We are disgusted at the racial abuse that Mathys Tel has received on social media following last night's UEFA Super Cup defeat.
"Mathys showed bravery and courage to step forward and take a penalty, yet those who abuse him are nothing but cowards - hiding behind anonymous usernames and profiles to spout their abhorrent views.
"We will work with the authorities and social media platforms to take the strongest possible action against any individual we are able to identify.
"We stand with you, Mathys."
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