Thomas Frank expressed dismay at being forced to respond to questions about a photograph that went viral during Tottenham's 3-2 loss to Bournemouth, showing him holding a coffee cup emblazoned with Arsenal's logo.
The Spurs manager was pictured pitchside at the Vitality Stadium before kick-off clutching the rival club's branded cup, an image that triggered widespread reaction online as the match unfolded.
Frank described the situation as regrettable, suggesting it reflected poorly on the state of football discourse that such an innocent oversight required any explanation whatsoever from him in his post-match press conference.
The Dane insisted he had been completely unaware of what was printed on the cup when he picked it up.
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"Definitely not noticed it. I think it's fair to say that we're not winning every single football match so it would be absolutely, completely stupid of me to take a cup with Arsenal," he said.
"Is there anyone thinking I've done that? All the staff has done it."
Frank explained the cups had been left behind in the changing room by the previous occupants, adding that grabbing an espresso before matches was simply part of his standard routine.
Thomas Frank cut a frustrated figure as Tottenham lost to Bournemouth on Wednesday night
|GETTY
"I think actually it's a little bit sad in football that I need to be asked a question about that," Frank stated, making clear his frustration at the line of questioning.
The Tottenham boss went further, warning that the sport's priorities were becoming skewed if such matters demanded attention.]
"I think we're definitely going in the wrong direction if we need to worry about me having a cup with another logo of another club, of course I'll never do that. That's extremely stupid," he added.
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Five facts about the Premier League | PA/GETTY/REUTERS/GBNEWSSpurs' latest defeat was sealed in stoppage time when Antoine Semenyo found the net, with the goal appearing to mark his final appearance for Bournemouth in what was described as a fairytale farewell.
Tensions boiled over after the final whistle, with Micky van de Ven approaching the travelling supporters and gesturing towards a section of the crowd, while Pedro Porro required intervention from goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to be led away from the scene.
Frank acknowledged he had not witnessed the confrontations but said frustration was inevitable.
"Everyone involved in Tottenham, players, staff, fans, everyone is a tough one to take today," he remarked.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has confirmed that he expects Semenyo to leave in the coming days after Manchester City triggered his release clause.
"It looks like it yes. Obviously, you have to do the medical and formalities but, I'm afraid to say because I don't want to lose him," he said when asked if the fixture was likely to be Semenyo's last for the club.
Antoine Semenyo scored a late winner as Bournemouth rocked Tottenham in their Premier League clash
|PA
"I think it's going to be his last moments with us. He's a top professional.
"We're not [just] losing an incredible player but one of the best I've coached, he's ready for anything."
Iraola also made it clear that Semenyo would be leaving with his blessing.
"I am very happy for him personally because he deserves it," he added.
"A moment he will never forget. But it's true a big miss, a player you cannot replace. He is an incredible player.
"I don't know how they will use him but he is a player improving every season with us and even before, in the lower divisions, stepping up and he is ready to do it again."