Cristian Romero, Tottenham’s captain, has embraced a renewed sense of optimism under Thomas Frank after expressing past frustrations. Romero’s commitment is solidified by his new contract and role. He is focused on leading the team towards a brighter future, as Spurs gear up for Champions League.
Cristian Romero's journey at Tottenham Hotspur has been anything but dull. The fiery Argentine defender, now captain, admits to past frustrations and a burning desire for the club to reach its full potential. This passion sometimes manifested as public discontent, leading many to believe his future lay elsewhere. However, under the guidance of manager Thomas Frank, Romero has embraced a new role and a renewed sense of optimism at the club.
Remember that social media repost last September about the lack of a private jet after international duty? Or the December lament about the club's spending compared to Premier League rivals? "You have to realise that something is going wrong – hopefully they [the board] realise it," he'd stated then. Even earlier this year, there was that awkward moment when Romero thanked Argentina’s medical staff for their support after injury, notably omitting any mention of the Spurs physios, fueling questions about his commitment to the club.
Adding to the intrigue was his April interview expressing his desire to play in La Liga, and the apparent farewell message to outgoing manager Ange Postecoglou in mid-June, just as Thomas Frank was stepping in. “You paved the way despite the many obstacles that always existed and always will exist,” he wrote, all while being linked with a move to Atlético Madrid.
Yet, Romero's narrative took a surprising turn. While Atlético's financial constraints might have played a role in his staying, the real shift came with his decision to sign a four-year contract extension and accept the captaincy following Son Heung-min's move to Los Angeles FC. This solidified his commitment and signaled a new chapter in his Spurs career.
As Tottenham prepares for their Champions League return, excitement is high. Their campaign kicks off with a home game against Villarreal, a reward for their Europa League triumph against Manchester United, now etched in club history. For Thomas Frank, this marks a significant milestone, a far cry from his past experiences managing Brøndby in Europa League qualifiers. He spoke passionately about anticipating the Champions League anthem and the electric atmosphere of the opening minutes.
Beyond the managerial change, Tottenham has also seen shifts in leadership, with Vivienne and Charles Lewis stepping in after Daniel Levy's departure as chairman. The arrival of Vinai Venkatesham as the new chief executive and Peter Charrington as the non-executive chairman signals a fresh direction for the club. However, it's Romero's transformation that perhaps best embodies the renewed sense of hope.
"I did a lot of interviews which seemed like I was talking badly about people inside the club but in the end I’m a person who sometimes makes mistakes and that’s it," Romero admitted. "I always want the best for the club. Sometimes, things have been said that aren’t true as well but always everything I said is because I want there to be a structure of a club that can be at the top level, part of the big clubs.
"That’s why I was sometimes so angry before. But today I see a very organised club with a clear idea and a coach who is organising things. Everyone is seeing that in a short space of time we are with him. Absolutely everyone inside is looking in the same direction and that is the important thing.”
Romero emphasized that he never explicitly stated his desire to leave, a technically accurate statement. However, he was pressed on his previous criticisms regarding the club's investment in the squad. “As I said before, it’s a bit of everything,” Romero explained. “It’s about the group of players, the coaching staff, the people that work for us, the executives obviously. In the end, it depends on everyone that we pull in the same direction. I think that since Thomas arrived, they have started to take all those decisions to go in the same direction. And then when it’s like that, everything runs a lot more easily.
“We’ve had a great start to the season. There’s a lot we can still improve upon but we’ve created a lovely group to work with. The previous manager, Ange, brought this group together and now Thomas has arrived. He has brought in new players and they are fitting in nicely. When you are a family like this off the field, it’s much easier to achieve things on the field.”
Asked about Levy's exit, Romero responded, “I don’t know what’s happened but it’s not something I’ve had the chance to speak with him about personally. He’s a person who’s been at the club for a good many years. We need to thank him because he’s the person who brought me here. Fortunately, we could crown his reign with a trophy, which would have made everyone happy, including him. I just desire the very best for him and it’s his decision …”
The past is the past, and Cristian Romero, now captain, seems firmly focused on leading Tottenham Hotspur towards a brighter future under Thomas Frank.