Tottenham under pressure after Munich defeat

Tottenham face a tough test after a heavy pre-season loss to Bayern Munich that exposes gaps in depth and transfer planning.

Tottenham exposed in Munich as Frank faces squad gaps

Tottenham were beaten 4-0 by Bayern Munich in a pre-season friendly at the Allianz Arena. Bayern rotated key players and still looked sharper, underscoring a gap between Spurs and Europe’s top clubs as they prepare for a busy season. Tottenham’s travel and a demanding schedule left them vulnerable, and injuries have already begun to bite, with Dominic Solanke, Destiny Udogie, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Radu Dragusin sidelined, while Manor Solomon and Kota Takai remain unavailable.

On the transfer front, Spurs have not pushed through major signings and face a testing summer window. The club was linked with high-profile targets and faced bids for Gibbs-White before that move stalled, while Son Heung-min’s departure to MLS has not yet been fully offset by incoming talent. Joao Palhinha joined on loan, but Tottenham still lacks a natural number 10 and a trusted central defender, leaving Frank to juggle a squad that looks light in key areas ahead of early-season fixtures.

The defeat in Munich is a reminder that a club can talk of progress while evidence points elsewhere. Tottenham has money to spend, yet the pace of recruitment has been slow, and a clear plan remains elusive. Frank faces a steep learning curve in matching the appetite of rivals who overhauled their squads with big injections of quality. The focus on a number 10 and a dependable center-back indicates a strategic priority, not a cosmetic fix. The challenge will be turning a lean squad into consistent performances while managing injuries and a demanding calendar.

The broader tension at Spurs is not just about players but about the club’s operating model. A new CEO and internal restructuring are signals of change, but results will depend on quicker decision-making and sharper scouting. For fans, the tests are concrete: translate transfer potential into on-pitch improvement and demonstrate a plan that feels credible in a league where every week counts.

Highlights

What happens next will reveal how quickly Tottenham can turn a wake-up call into real progress.