Just a few months into Thomas Frank`s tenure as manager of Brentford in the Championship, the prospect of managing one of football`s wealthiest clubs in the Champions League might have seemed a distant dream. Yet, six years ago, Frank articulated the core principles of his coaching philosophy, which now appear to serve as a compelling case for his reported imminent move to Tottenham Hotspur.
“Personally, I am very open and human-focused,” he stated in a 2019 interview. “That`s one aspect. The other is my love for football details. I aim to develop a specific playing style, to create a beautiful game. But I also place immense focus on cultivating a fantastic culture and environment. I`m fortunate to be at a club that prioritizes both.”
While this approach is appealing for any managerial interview, Frank`s dual focus feels particularly well-suited for Spurs, who recently dismissed Ange Postecoglou after a season marked by contradictions. Postecoglou delivered a trophy, ending the club`s 17-year drought, but combined it with a surprisingly low 17th-place league finish – a primary factor in his departure. Although partly attributable to a relentless injury crisis, the league position highlighted significant shortcomings the ambitious club must address for success domestically and in Europe next season.
The most immediate area for improvement with a new manager is the playing style. Postecoglou is a tactical idealist, committed to an attacking, high-line approach, prepared to succeed or fail by it. While adaptable, his strategy attracted both admirers and critics; Postecoglou`s Spurs were thrilling at their best but often defensively vulnerable. Frank`s potential hiring seems a direct response to this vulnerability. He also favors attacking football, common among modern coaches, but with a more pragmatic bent. Across his seven seasons at Brentford, including four in the Premier League, he has shown tactical flexibility, employing formations like 4-3-3, 5-3-2, and most recently 4-2-3-1, adapting to his squad.
Frank could also significantly improve a specific weakness: set-piece defending. Last season, Spurs conceded 13 goals from set pieces, ranking fifth-worst in the Premier League, and were third-to-last for expected goals against from set pieces (14.24). In contrast, Frank`s Brentford conceded only two set-piece goals last season – the fewest in the league – despite an expected goals against figure of 9.68.
Furthermore, Frank is well-equipped to enhance Spurs` offense, their main strength last season. Despite finishing 17th, Spurs remained one of the league`s better attacking sides. However, Brentford, finishing 10th, matched them offensively. The Bees were tied for fifth in goals scored with 66 (two more than Spurs` 64) and eighth in expected goals with 60.21 (slightly ahead of Tottenham`s 59.65).
As Frank himself described years ago, the foundation of his success is a detail-oriented strategy rooted in Brentford`s pioneering embrace of a data-driven model. This approach has made the club a prime example of sustainable success, establishing them as a Premier League fixture. They are one of only four teams promoted since 2021-22 to remain in the top flight, facing relegation concern only once. Their strategy involves identifying and developing young talent, then selling them profitably to larger clubs, exemplified by the sales of Ollie Watkins and David Raya for over $35 million each to Aston Villa and Arsenal, respectively.
Brentford`s success in this area highlights a key issue for Spurs last season – not just the manager, but squad depth and quality in certain areas. While strong at full strength, Spurs had weak links and lacked inspiring options from the bench. A midfield overhaul is needed after unimpressive seasons from Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur, and support is required for the injury-prone James Maddison, currently the only reliable attacking midfielder. The forward line could also see upgrades; Son Heung-min had a good season but turns 33 in July, limiting his years as the main offensive threat. Dominic Solanke performed reasonably with 16 goals, but the position could still be improved.
Here, a data-driven transfer strategy, like Brentford`s, becomes crucial for Spurs, whose recent transfer record has been inconsistent. As the ninth-richest club globally, their financial power still lags behind direct rivals, making signing established superstars challenging. Identifying and acquiring promising talents early, supported by the recruitment team rather than solely the manager, is a sounder approach. While this summer is big for Frank, it`s arguably even bigger for Spurs` front office, specifically technical director Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici, the former managing director expected to return after his ban ends. Their role will be to secure the players Frank needs to fulfill his potential among the managerial elite.
Frank Joins the Rising Managerial Generation
Before Postecoglou`s departure, there was debate whether Spurs could find a clear upgrade. The club appears to have settled on Frank, a tactically suitable fit despite limited experience at the very highest European level.
Frank`s only previous European experience was in Europa League qualifiers with Brondby in Denmark (2014-15, 2015-16), without reaching the group stage. His jump to Spurs signals the sport`s ongoing managerial transition. Established figures like Carlo Ancelotti and Jurgen Klopp are currently out of club management, pushing top European clubs to seek rising talents like Xabi Alonso and Arne Slot. Frank may not have their specific pedigree, but his consistent performance at Brentford has earned him a chance at a high-profile club.
Another point in Postecoglou`s favor was his widely admired ability to manage players as individuals. He seemingly never lost the dressing room despite the team`s league slide, and the trophy win is cited as evidence of intangibles compensating for tangible weaknesses. The current Spurs squad is full of Postecoglou admirers who paid tribute after his exit. While it`s unfair to expect Frank to replicate this exactly, his widely reported `no dickhead` policy aligns well with fostering a positive locker room environment.
“Our culture is built on values like togetherness and hard work,” said Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard in 2023. “Thomas always uses the phrase `confident but humble`. He has this `no-dickhead` policy, which I think we embody. In the changing room, everyone is pulling in the same direction; otherwise, they wouldn`t be here.”
The potential is evident, but the crucial question for a Frank-led Spurs is how quickly everything integrates. Postecoglou spent his final weeks emphasizing that the trophy changed the narrative, hoping it would be a foundation for future success. It`s now up to the entire club, not just Frank, to realize that vision, a potentially complex task with a Champions League season ahead. Time, and crucially, this summer`s transfer activity, will determine their position for the 2025-26 campaign. However, in terms of managerial selection, Frank makes considerable sense for a club that constantly strives to outperform expectations.
