Spurs are set to appoint the Brentford boss after deciding to sack Ange Postecoglou earlier this month
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Tottenham's search for a successor to Ange Postecoglou has led them to Thomas Frank. The Dane has joined from Brentford after an incredibly successful seven-year stint in west London, and has been tasked with a similar revolution on the northern edge of the city after signing a three-year contract.
Frank was not only part of the Bees' revolution from mid-table Championship fodder to one of the Premier League's toughest outfits, but rather the catalyst. Brentford are forward thinking and innovators in their own right, but the crown jewel was their loveable, charismatic and tactically-astute head coach.
There are several reasons as to why Spurs were attracted to Frank, not least his philosophical flexibility and ability to operate on a budget, and now is the time to get behind their new manager. His spell at Brentford revolved around alignment on all fronts, and he's going to need similar support to bring further glory to Tottenham.
GOAL runs through the seven biggest tasks on Frank's to-do list after he was sworn in as Spurs' new boss…
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱AFPPrevent a mutiny
Postecoglou's sacking certainly didn't come as a result of player power, quite the opposite. The dressing room largely adored and respected the Australian, even when results and performances increased pressure on them, as best publicly showcased by the outpouring of love for him on many of the squad's social media accounts over the last few days.
After Postecoglou's dismissal was confirmed, reports soon followed of discontent among the first team given the gaffer's almost universal popularity, with some players even said to be considering their futures over the ordeal. Vice-captain Cristian Romero, who was named Europa League Player of the Season and was integral to that cup run, was reportedly eager to remain at Spurs had Postecoglou stayed, but could now pursue a move to Atletico Madrid.
Frank has to right that ship, get the more senior members of his new team back onside and convince them they will be stronger going forward. If Tottenham are to get up and go again, there must be mutual respect between manager and players.
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Frank is one of football's most gifted orators, even though English is only his second language. That gift of the gab got him to Brentford in the first place, firstly as an assistant coach before landing the top job when manager Dean Smith was poached by Aston Villa. Even through a run of eight losses in his first 10 games, Frank survived because of how he had won over the board, dressing room and supporters in other aspects.
The Dane boasts a charisma that is not quite as bold as Postecoglou's, but is endearing all the same. He hooks you in with wit and charm, but keeps you in with his purpose of speech and enchanting dad-like mannerism. With some corners of the Spurs fanbase still furious over Postecoglou's exit, Frank will have to brush up on his magic again to win them over too.
AFPHijack Mbeumo
This is a move that could already be in the works. Though it was recently reported that Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo would like to join Manchester United this summer, Frank is said to have asked the Spurs hierarchy to step in to try and sign him instead. Now, if the Cameroonian sticks to his £250,000-a-week wage demands, then that will certainly prove tricky for Tottenham to try and pull off. What they have in their favour is the promise of Champions League football and the manager who has nurtured Mbeumo through the majority of his career so far.
Mbeumo arrived at Brentford back when they were still playing at Griffin Park, as one part of their recruitment drive to bring in talent from the lower leagues of France. He did not take too long to adapt to the Championship and soon formed a formidable trio with winger Said Benrahma and striker Ollie Watkins. When those two were sold in the summer of 2020, Mbeumo then developed a prolific partnership with Ivan Toney, and the England target man still affectionately refers to his former team-mate as his 'son'.
Five years later, Mbeumo is easily one of the Premier League's best and most versatile attackers. Not only does he provide tangible output – with only Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland bettering his tally of 20 goals last season – but Frank has always shouted from the rooftops of Mbeumo's work rate and team ethic as the key reason behind his success. This would be a character signing as much as one on ability.
Getty Images SportRestore defensive solidity
During the 2020s, Tottenham have become pushovers again defensively. Under Mauricio Pochettino, there was a four-year stretch where Spurs conceded an average of 34 goals per Premier League campaign, but that number has almost doubled to 63 over the last three seasons.
Tottenham simply aren't going to be seen as a serious threat to the teams at the top of the league unless that changes. Pochettino's side were famed for their intense pressing and free-scoring attack, but it was built on a steady defence with strong principles.
This is the solidity that Frank needs to strive for, and given his Brentford team's reputation as a team who won't be shoved over – Ben Chilwell once said playing at the Gtech Community Stadium was 'like hell on Earth' – you'd expect him to make that one of his top priorities. Along with champions Liverpool and runners-up Arsenal, Brentford were the only other Premier League team not to lose a game by more than two goals in 2024-25.
The good news for Frank is, as Postecoglou-defenders will not let anyone forget, Tottenham are fairly formidable when their first-choice defence of Pedro Porro, Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie are all available. With a little more strength in depth and with a high line that is not as aggressive as before, this task could be simpler than first anticipated.