Tottenham Hotspur’s turbulent season took another dramatic turn on Thursday night as captain Cristian Romero appeared to publicly criticise the club’s hierarchy, laying bare the growing unrest behind the scenes at north London.
In the immediate aftermath of Spurs’ damaging 3-2 defeat away at Bournemouth, Romero posted a strongly worded message on Instagram suggesting that senior figures at the club were avoiding accountability during difficult moments. Although the Argentina defender later edited the post, removing a reference to “telling lies”, the substance of his message remained a clear challenge to those above him at Tottenham.
Spurs have now won just one of their past six Premier League matches and sit a worrying 14th in the table, far below pre-season expectations. For a club that entered the campaign promising progress and stability, recent performances have instead fuelled frustration, anger and open division.
Romero’s initial post called for “other people” to come forward and speak during hard times, claiming they “only show up when things are going well”. While he later softened the wording, the implication was unmistakable: players and coaching staff are left to face criticism alone, while decision-makers remain silent.
“We are responsible, there’s no doubt about that,” Romero wrote in his revised statement. “But we will keep facing up to it and trying to turn the situation around, for ourselves and for the club.” He added that silence from others during crises had been “happening for several years now”, a line that has particularly alarmed supporters.
The comments have landed at a sensitive moment for Tottenham. Manager Thomas Frank, appointed amid optimism earlier in the season, is already under pressure following a run of flat performances and dwindling confidence. Fan discontent has become increasingly vocal, with chants of “boring, boring Tottenham” ringing out during a goalless draw at Brentford and boos greeting the players after a 1-1 home draw with Sunderland.
Tempers spilled over during Thursday’s defeat at the Vitality Stadium. Micky van de Ven and Palhinha were seen exchanging words with supporters, while Pedro Porro had to be calmed by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario as he appeared ready to confront fans directly. The sense of a club fraying at the edges was hard to ignore.
Even Frank has found himself at the centre of unwanted attention. Prior to kick-off, the Spurs head coach was photographed holding a coffee cup bearing Arsenal branding, an image that quickly circulated online and further inflamed an already irritated fanbase.
Romero’s outburst, however, is not without precedent. Since joining Tottenham in August 2021, the 27-year-old has established himself as a key figure on the pitch and a vocal presence off it. Following the sacking of former manager Ange Postecoglou in June, Romero posted a cryptic tribute referencing “the many obstacles that always existed and always will exist”, a comment widely interpreted as criticism of the club’s leadership.
In December 2024, he went further, openly questioning the board’s level of investment and ambition. For some supporters, Romero’s willingness to speak out has been refreshing, a sign of a captain who cares deeply about standards. For others, it raises concerns about discipline, unity and the wisdom of airing internal grievances in public.
What is clear is that Tottenham are once again facing familiar questions about structure, communication and direction. Romero has made 146 appearances for the club and is widely respected in the dressing room. When a captain feels compelled to speak in such terms, it suggests deeper issues than a poor run of results.
With the season threatening to drift away and tensions rising both on and off the pitch, Spurs now face a crucial test. Whether the hierarchy responds publicly, or chooses continued silence, may shape not only the remainder of this campaign but also the long-term trust between players, fans and those running the club.
