Thomas Frank delivers classy Diogo Jota tribute in first Tottenham press conference

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Thomas Frank delivered a classy message in memory of Diogo Jota on Friday, ahead of his first match as Tottenham Hotspur head coach.

The Dane took over from Ange Postecoglou last month, despite the Australian leading Spurs to its first trophy in 17 years when he won the Europa League in May. Tottenham plays Reading on Saturday in the first friendly of the Frank era.

The new boss spoke in a press conference ahead of the game, the first time he has officially addressed the media since landing the role, and before fielding questions, Frank took the opportunity to send his condolences to Jota and his brother, who tragically passed away on 3 July in a car crash.

“On behalf of everyone at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, our condolences go to the family and the loved ones of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva and everyone at Liverpool Football Club,” said Frank.

It comes on the day that EA Sports immortalized Jota on its video game franchise, FC, formerly known as FIFA. Players can now choose to display Jota’s name on the back of a shirt in the form of a Tifo for their personalized Ultimate Team.

In a message titled “One Of Us”, EA said: “To honour and celebrate the life of one of our most passionate FC players, three new Diogo Jota Tifos have been added to your UT Club.”

(Image: (Image: GETTY))

Meanwhile, the soccer world continues to mourn Jota's passing. On Friday, Liverpool added a section labelled “forever” to its squad list and included the Portugal star, while a fresh mural has sprung up near Anfield on the exterior of the Halfway House pub.

Atletico Madrid and Porto, Jota’s former clubs, have also announced plans to play a preseason friendly in memory of the recently deceased 28-year-old.

Another of Jota’s former teams, Wolverhampton Wanderers, has inducted him posthumously into the club’s Hall of Fame.

“There is such a feeling of sadness and disbelief around this awful tragedy that we wanted to make this tribute of our own as soon as we could,” said Hall of Fame chairman and club vice president John Richards.

(Image: 2025 Wolverhampton Wanderers FC)

“Like everyone else, we've been stunned by events, and we remember what a wonderful player Diogo was for Wolves during that unforgettable promotion season under Nuno [Espirito Santo] and our early years back in the Premier League.

“His record of 44 goals at Wolves, and then 65 at Liverpool as a Premier League title winner, speaks volumes.

“So many fans across the game – especially in Portugal after he helped them win the Nations League this summer – are feeling his loss deeply. We saw no reason to delay this decision.

“We hope it will bring a little comfort to those who were close to Diogo and Andre, and we trust Wolves supporters will understand that this gesture is made with real love and admiration, and also fully justified.”

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