Thomas Frank has been appointed as Tottenham Hotspur’s new manager, ending a seven-year stint at Brentford.
The 51-year-old has agreed to a three-year contract with the north London club, replacing Ange Postecoglou in the dugout.
Frank will be joined in the dugout by Brentford assistant Justin Cochrane (first-team coach), Chris Haslam (head of performance and first-team assistant coach), and Joe Newton (first-team coach analyst), as well as Manchester United’s Andreas Georgson.
Tottenham fired Postecoglou earlier this month, exactly two years after he arrived from Celtic.
Despite breaking the club’s 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League and qualifying for Champions League competition, chairman Daniel Levy remained concerned about their Premier League play.
Tottenham finished 17th, one place above the relegation zone and 12 places worse than where they finished in the 2023/24 season.
A dismal top-flight season saw them suffer their most Premier League defeats [22], score the fewest points [38], and finish in last place.
And they have moved quickly to sign Frank from London rivals Brentford, where he had been since 2018.
Spurs paid roughly £10 million to get him away from the Bees, a record fee for a manager.
Spurs activated the Dane’s release clause, which is thought to be in the region of £9 million, after transforming Brentford from a Championship side to an established Premier League outfit.
Frank led the Bees to the first division in 2021, and the team has finished in the top ten twice in the previous three years.
And he is now Tottenham’s 13th permanent manager since Levy was named chairman in 2001.
Only two managers, Juande Ramos and Postecoglou, have led Tottenham to a trophy.
And it will be Frank’s first time managing in a major European competition.
He helped Danish giants Brondby qualify for the Europa League in 2013/14 and 2014/15, but they failed to go beyond the group stages both times.
Martin Keown, an Arsenal veteran, believes Frank and Tottenham may be a match made in heaven.
Tottenham Hotspur permanent managers under Daniel Levy
- Glenn Hoddle
- Jacques Santini
- Martin Jol
- Juande Ramos
- Harry Redknapp
- Andre Villas-Boas
- TIm Sherwood
- Mauricio Pochettino
- Jose Mourinho
- Nuno Espirito Santo
- Antonio Conte
- Ange Postecoglou
- THOMAS FRANK*
He told talkSPORT, “I think Frank is perfect.”
Keown went on to say, “He’s stable, he’s solid, and I believe this guy’s attitude is gentler (compared to previous managers) and more clever.
“I think it’s the perfect match.”
Brentford thanked Frank for his seven years in the Bees dugout as soon as the news was public.
Brentford’s director of football, Phil Giles, said: “It’s been a pleasure working with Thomas.
“From the moment he took over for Dean Smith, he understood what we were trying to achieve, and his wisdom, coaching ability, and emotional intelligence have helped transform the club.”
“There have been so many memorable experiences with Thomas, and no one will forget the day at Wembley Stadium for the play-off final or that emotional first Premier League game against Arsenal.
“But it’s more than simply what you see on the field. He developed a special bond with our fans, helped develop and strengthen players, and was vital in establishing the culture that has seen Brentford grow from strength to strength.
“However, just as when a player leaves, it creates an opportunity for someone else to step in and make their own contribution.
“We will never forget Thomas, but now it is time to thank him and take the next steps in our journey with a new leader who we believe can be just as successful and influential.”
According to talkSPORT, Brentford has selected Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna as a potential replacement for Frank.
McKenna only declined offers to prolong his term at Portman Road last summer.
Despite failing to maintain the Tractor Boys in the Premier League, the 39-year-old’s stock is still high.
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