Just a few months into Thomas Frank`s tenure leading Brentford in the Championship, managing one of football`s wealthiest clubs in the Champions League might have seemed like a remote possibility. However, insights Frank shared six years ago regarding the foundation of his managerial philosophy could very well serve as a compelling case for his reported impending move to Tottenham Hotspur.
“As a person, I`m very accessible, very focused on the human element,” he stated in a 2019 interview. “That`s one aspect. The other is my passion for football details. I aim to build a specific playing style. I want to create attractive football, but I`m equally focused on establishing a fantastic culture and environment. I`m fortunate to be at a club that values both.”
This philosophy is valuable for any managerial candidate, yet Frank`s dual focus appears particularly well-suited for Spurs. The North London club recently parted ways with Ange Postecoglou after a season marked by stark contrasts. While Postecoglou delivered a trophy, ending a 17-year wait, this achievement was juxtaposed with a 17th-place finish in the Premier League, cited as the primary reason for his departure. This low league position was partly due to persistent injuries, but it also highlighted significant weaknesses the ambitious team must address to succeed domestically and in Europe next season.
The initial area for improvement, particularly with a new manager arriving, is the playing style. Postecoglou is known for his rigid adherence to an attacking, high-line strategy – an approach that earns both praise and criticism. While flexible, his method made Spurs thrilling at times but defensively vulnerable more often than desired. Frank`s potential hiring seems a direct response to this issue. He also favors an attacking approach, common among modern managers, but is fundamentally more pragmatic. Across his seven seasons at Brentford, including four in the Premier League, he has adapted his tactics, utilizing formations like 4-3-3, 5-3-2, and recently 4-2-3-1, based on available players.
Frank could also significantly improve a specific defensive weakness: set pieces. Last season, Spurs conceded 13 goals from set plays, the fifth-worst record in the league, and ranked third-to-last in expected goals against from set pieces (14.24). In contrast, Frank`s Brentford conceded only two goals from set pieces last season – the fewest in the league – despite facing 9.68 expected goals against in those situations.
Beyond defense, Frank is well-positioned to enhance Spurs` offense, which was their main strength last season. Despite their low league finish, Spurs were among the Premier League`s best attacking sides. Brentford, finishing 10th, were right alongside them, 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, his success is built on a detail-oriented strategy. His progression is linked to Brentford`s embrace of a data-driven model, making them a prime example of this operational approach in football. This has fostered sustainable success, establishing them as a Premier League regular. Since their promotion in 2021-22, they are one of only four teams to remain in the top flight consistently, only once facing relegation concerns. Their strategy involves signing promising young players and selling them for significant profits to larger, wealthier clubs, notably receiving over $35 million each for Ollie Watkins and David Raya from Aston Villa and Arsenal, respectively.
Brentford`s success with this model highlights a key issue for Spurs last season – not the manager, but squad depth and quality. While strong at full strength, Tottenham had weak spots in the lineup and lacked inspiring options off the bench. A midfield overhaul is needed after inconsistent seasons from Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur, and the team needs support for the injury-prone James Maddison, currently the sole player consistently effective in the attacking midfield role. The forward line could also use upgrades. Son Heung-min performed well, but he turns 33 in July, limiting his years as the primary offensive threat. Dominic Solanke had a decent first season with 16 goals across competitions, but an upgrade in that position could still be beneficial.
This is where a data-driven strategy becomes crucial for Spurs, who have had mixed results in the transfer market recently. Tottenham is the ninth-richest club globally, but their financial power still trails their direct rivals, making it hard to sign established superstars. However, identifying the next generation of top talent is a viable strategy, one that would be significantly aided by a strong team supporting Frank, rather than solely relying on the manager. While this summer is important for Frank, it`s even more critical for the Spurs front office, including technical director Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici, the former managing director expected to return after his ban ends. Their task will be to identify and acquire the players Frank needs to fully realize his potential among the managerial elite.
Frank: The Latest Rising Manager
Before Postecoglou`s departure, there was debate over whether Spurs could genuinely find a superior replacement, given the limited number of obvious top-tier candidates available. It appears the club hierarchy has settled on Frank, who tactically fits Spurs well, despite his relative inexperience at the absolute highest levels of the game.
Frank`s only European competition experience was in UEFA Europa League qualifiers with Brondby in Denmark (2014-15, 2015-16), where his teams didn`t reach the group stage. His move from Brentford to Spurs reflects a broader trend of managerial transition in the sport. Established figures like Carlo Ancelotti and Jurgen Klopp are currently out of club management, leading top European clubs to seek rising talents like Xabi Alonso and Arne Slot. While Frank may not have the same profile as Alonso or Slot, his performance at Brentford has been strong enough to earn him this opportunity at a high-profile club.
Another point in Postecoglou`s favor was his exceptional ability to manage players personally. He seemingly never lost the dressing room despite the team`s struggles, and their trophy win highlighted how player intangibles can compensate for tangible shortcomings. Many Spurs players were vocal admirers of Postecoglou, posting heartfelt tributes after his departure. While it`s unreasonable to expect Frank to replicate this connection exactly, his famous `no dickheads` policy seems like a positive fit for the locker room culture.
“Our culture is built on values like togetherness and hard work. Thomas always uses the phrase `confident but humble`. He has this no-dickhead policy, which I believe we embody. In the changing room, everyone is aligned towards our goals; otherwise, they wouldn`t be here,” said Brentford`s Christian Norgaard in 2023.
All the necessary elements seem to be in place, but the key question for a Frank-led Spurs is how quickly they can come together. Postecoglou spent his final weeks emphasizing that the trophy win changed the narrative around the club`s documented drought, hoping it would be a foundation for future success. Fulfilling this vision, potentially with a Champions League season looming, will be a collective effort for the club, not just Frank. Time, and crucially, this summer`s transfer activity, will determine their readiness for the 2025-26 campaign. However, as managerial choices go, Frank appears to be a sensible selection for a team that consistently aims to punch above its weight.
