Just a few months into Thomas Frank`s tenure as manager of Championship side Brentford, the prospect of managing one of football`s wealthiest clubs in the UEFA Champions League might have seemed remote. However, insights Frank offered six years ago into his managerial philosophy could serve as a perfect pitch for his reported move to Tottenham Hotspur, which appears close to completion.
“As a person, I`m very open, very human-minded,” he stated in a 2019 interview with The Guardian. “That`s one aspect. The other is my love for football details. I aim to develop a specific style of play. I want to create attractive football, but I`m also deeply focused on building a fantastic culture and environment. I`m fortunate to be at a club that values both.”
This approach is compelling for any club`s interview process, but Frank`s dual focus seems particularly suited for Spurs, who recently parted ways with Ange Postecoglou after a season of contrasts. Postecoglou ended the team`s 17-year trophy drought but also oversaw a 17th-place finish in the Premier League, which was the primary factor in his departure. While partly influenced by an ongoing injury crisis, the low league finish also highlighted weaknesses the ambitious club must address for success in domestic and continental competitions next season.
The first area for improvement, relevant to the upcoming managerial change, is the playing style. Postecoglou is a tactical purist, committed to his attack-first approach and willing to live or die by a high defensive line. He is adaptable, but his strategy attracted both admirers and critics; Spurs under Postecoglou were thrilling at their best but defensively vulnerable more often than ideal. Frank`s potential hiring appears to be a direct response to this issue. He also favors an attacking style, common among modern managers, but is more pragmatic. Over his seven seasons at Brentford, including four in the Premier League, he has varied his tactical setups, employing formations like 4-4-3, 5-3-2, and most recently 4-2-3-1, depending on available players.
Frank could also address a specific defensive weakness: set pieces. Spurs conceded 13 goals from set plays last season, the fifth-worst record in the Premier League, and ranked third-to-last in expected goals against from set pieces (14.24). In contrast, Frank`s Brentford conceded just two goals from set pieces last season – fewer than any other league team – despite facing 9.68 expected goals against in those situations.
Furthermore, Frank is well-equipped to maximize Spurs` offense, which was their main strength last season. Although Spurs remained one of the league`s best attacking sides despite their 17th-place finish, Brentford matched them offensively last season. The 10th-placed Bees tied for fifth in goalscoring with 66 goals, two more than Spurs` 64, and ranked eighth for expected goals (60.21), slightly ahead of Tottenham in ninth (59.65 expected goals).
The foundation of Frank`s success, as he described it, is a detail-oriented strategy. His ascent is linked to Brentford`s adoption of a data-driven approach, making them a prime example of this operational model in football. This has led to sustainable success, specifically establishing them as a Premier League fixture. They are one of only four teams promoted since 2021-22 to remain in the top flight, entering the relegation discussion only once during that period. Their strategy involves signing young talent and selling them to larger, wealthier clubs, notably fetching over $35 million each for Ollie Watkins and David Raya from Aston Villa and Arsenal, respectively.
Brentford`s success with this strategy highlights Spurs` biggest issue last season, which wasn`t solely the manager. While strong at full strength, Tottenham had weak points in the lineup, and bench options were often uninspiring. Spurs require a midfield overhaul after underwhelming seasons from both Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur and could benefit from another player alongside the injury-prone James Maddison, who is currently the sole effective attacking midfielder. The forward line could also use upgrades; Son Heung-min played well but turns 33 in July, limiting his years as the primary offensive force. While Dominic Solanke had a decent first season with 16 goals across competitions, the team could still upgrade this position.
This is where a data-driven approach could be vital for Spurs, whose recent transfer record has been inconsistent. Despite being the ninth-richest club globally, their financial power doesn`t match their direct rivals, making signing established superstars difficult. However, identifying and acquiring the next top talents is a sound approach that would be aided by the club`s structure behind Frank, rather than the manager alone. If this summer is significant for Frank, it`s even more crucial for Spurs` front office, particularly technical director Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici, the former managing director expected to return after his ban for financial malpractice ends. Their responsibility will be to find and secure the players Frank needs to fulfill his potential among the managerial elite.
Frank, the latest manager on the rise
Before Postecoglou`s departure, questions arose about whether Spurs could genuinely upgrade their manager, given the lack of obvious standout candidates. It appears the club hierarchy has settled on Frank, who fits Spurs tactically, even if he lacks top-level European experience.
Frank`s only European competition experience was in UEFA Europa League qualifiers with Brondby in his native Denmark (2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons), where his teams didn`t reach the group stage. However, his anticipated move from Brentford to Spurs signals the current period of managerial transition in football. Esteemed coaches like Carlo Ancelotti and Jurgen Klopp are currently out of club management, prompting top European clubs to seek rising talents like Xabi Alonso and Arne Slot. While Frank may not have the same pedigree as Alonso or Slot, his performance at Brentford has been sufficient to earn a chance at one of the sport`s most high-profile clubs.
Another point in Postecoglou`s favor was his exceptional ability to manage players on a personal level. He seemingly never lost the dressing room despite Spurs` slide to 17th, and their Europa League triumph stands as a rare instance where team intangibles compensated for tangible shortcomings. Spurs` squad is now reportedly full of Postecoglou admirers, many of whom posted heartfelt tributes on social media after his departure. While it`s unfair to expect Frank to replicate this exactly, his `no dickheads` policy seems like a promising fit for that locker room culture.
“The culture is built on values, and some of our values are togetherness and hard work. Thomas always uses the phrase `confident but humble.` He`s got this no-dickhead policy, which I believe we embody. In the changing room, anyone not aligned with our direction wouldn`t be there,” Brentford`s Christian Norgaard commented in 2023.
The pieces are seemingly in place, but the big question for a Frank-led Spurs is how quickly everything will gel. Postecoglou spent his final weeks at Spurs emphasizing that their Europa League win altered the narrative regarding the team`s documented trophy drought, hoping it would be a foundation for future success. It will fall upon the entire club – not just Frank – to realize that vision, a potentially complex task with a Champions League season looming. Time, and this summer`s transfer activity, will determine if they are strongly positioned for the 2025-26 campaign, but regarding managerial choices, Frank makes considerable sense for a side that consistently aims to overachieve.
