Daily Mail: Spurs fans boo during the match and chant, “Pochettino is magic.”

According to the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur’s poor first-half performance in their home match against Newcastle United triggered strong dissatisfaction among the fans. At halftime, the home players left the pitch amid loud boos, while chants for former head coach Mauricio Pochettino were heard from the stands, highlighting the growing pressure on current manager Thomas Frank.

In this match, Tottenham were completely on the back foot in the first half. Facing Newcastle United, coached by Eddie Howe, Spurs were outplayed in possession, tempo, and both offensive and defensive phases, creating almost no real threats in attack. By halftime, the hosts were trailing 0–1.

When the halftime whistle blew, Spurs supporters expressed their frustration with a sustained chorus of boos. Early in the second half, Newcastle continued to threaten Tottenham’s goal, and some fans began chanting from the stands: “He’s magic, you know, Mauricio Pochettino.”

This chant was widely seen as a reflection of supporters’ dissatisfaction with Thomas Frank’s current situation. Prior to this match, Spurs had recorded only two wins in 16 games across all competitions under Frank, and the team has been dragged into an intense relegation battle.

Mauricio Pochettino, who once led Tottenham to the UEFA Champions League final and a Premier League runners-up finish, said in an interview this week that he hopes to return to the club one day. His remarks are also believed to have contributed to the surge of fan emotions. Since his departure in 2019, some supporters have repeatedly expressed their discontent with the club’s current state by chanting his name.

Before the match, Frank was also asked whether he had anticipated such chants. In response, he said: “I’ve met Mauricio a few times. He’s a very nice person and an excellent coach. He is a legendary figure at this club. I don’t think he won any trophies here, but he played a key role in transforming the club, taking the team from where it was to a level close to winning the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final. When you get that close to success, you are already very close. Football often comes down to fine margins. Pochettino did an outstanding job here. He is a true legend, so if fans chant his name, it is fully deserved.”