Thomas Frank lives to fight another day after Tottenham put their Champions League destiny in their own hands by beating 10-man Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
On an evening when thousands of Spurs fans stayed away, this was a unifying 90 minutes with cheers from the crowd met with smiles from the players at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
So often at odds this season, there was, as Frank put it, a “magic” connection between supporters and players as Spurs extended their unbeaten home run in Europe to 24 games.
Spurs were electric, with Wilson Odobert and out-of-position Djed Spence dominating on the wings.
In a coming-of-age performance, Odobert laid on two assists either side of Daniel Svensson’s red card to put Spurs in control in the first half.
This was a much-needed result and performance but Frank has no choice but to build on this lifeline when he takes his side to Burnley on Saturday.
Frank, soaked yet steadfast in the north London rain, has remained defiant amid both the metaphorical and the literal “stormy weather” around the club right now.
There remains serious pressure on his job and failure to back up this performance will start the scrutiny all over again.
“What I feel the whole time is that I feel the staff is with us, I think the players are with us, the ownership, everyone wants the same thing, and we're on the same page,” Frank said in his post-match press conference.
“We do a lot of things in the right direction and today was a big performance and a big win. Of course, I'm very aware of that, but I’m also very aware that this we have done and we need to keep that consistency, and of course, turn that a little bit.
“Some of the other games we easily could have won, now we need to build on this. I just see a team that is running very, very hard, and I think that's a very, very good sign.
“That's a healthy sign of a culture, and we are building something a little bit step by step. We can easily have got better results the last three games, we just didn't, but we're running hard.”
His players, too, appear undeterred by the pressure.
Xavi Simons, playing through pain with a swollen ankle, delivered a performance that showcased not only his creativity but also his commitment to making things work under Frank.
The Dutchman enjoys the extra space he is afforded on these European nights, but he also relishes the added pressure. Even before Dortmund were reduced to 10, Simons was pulling the strings for the hosts.
His cross was narrowly missed by a smiling Pedro Porro. Spurs were enjoying themselves, and they did not look back after Cristian Romero handed them the lead in the 14th minute.
Dominic Solanke, on his first start in eight months, then doubled Spurs’ advantage with a mis-hit effort that he knew little about.
His goal may have been fortuitous but there was nothing accidental about the way he led the line for Spurs. Every touch, pass, and press was considered. It cannot be overstated how important it is to have Solanke back in the side.
His presence alone gives Spurs balance and the same can be said of Destiny Udogie, who returned at left-back to give the defence some stability.
Spurs have found an extra gear in the Champions League and have automatic qualification for the knockouts in their hands.
Back to the grindstone of the Premier League this weekend, though, they will have to prove their mettle against a Burnley side buoyed by a 1-1 draw at Liverpool last weekend.
Frank’s position is precarious, and the pockets of boos and empty seats pre-game suggest a first win in six is not going to get everyone back on side.
What Frank has done is buy himself time. He looks set to get the weekend, but there remains little more assurance than that.
