Tottenham nabs Thomas Frank from Brentford to replace Ange Postecoglou

Tottenham has hired Thomas Frank as head coach after the Danish manager ended his nearly decade-long stay at fellow Premier League team Brentford.

The 51-year-old Frank will replace Ange Postecoglou, who was fired last week despite leading Tottenham to its first trophy in 17 years with a win over Manchester United in the Europa League final.

Tottenham said Frank's contract would run until 2028.

"In Thomas we are appointing one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game," the club said in a statement.

"He has a proven track record in player and squad development and we look forward to him leading the team as we prepare for the season ahead."

Frank joined Brentford in December 2016 and has been manager since 2018. He has established a reputation as a tactically flexible and shrewd coach who has improved players, especially those of a lower profile or who have not performed at other clubs.

At Tottenham, he will have a squad of higher quality — albeit one that finished below Brentford in the Premier League last season — and will be managing in the Champions League for the first time. One of his first games will be against Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup.

In that sense, it's a slight gamble from Spurs. Indeed, Frank has never won a trophy in his managerial career.

Even Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho — who brought elite-level pedigree to the club for spells since 2019 — found it tough to lead Tottenham to success.

Frank at least has plenty of Premier League experience.

Ange's Spurs sacking the sad reality for awful league campaign Photo shows Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou looks on during the post-season friendly match Ange Postecoglou flew into the Spurs job on a wing and a prayer, and surpassed expectations immediately. But long-standing structural issues and Postecoglou's own pigheadedness ensured a reversion to Tottenham's 'Spursy' norm.

Brentford has played in the top flight since 2021 and consistently punched above its weight, with Tottenham pointing to Frank's ability to get his former team "significantly outperforming expectations for an extended period of time".

Brentford director of football Phil Giles said Frank's "wisdom, coaching ability and emotional intelligence have helped transform the club".

"He forged a special connection with our fans, helped develop and improve players, and was instrumental in implementing the culture that has seen Brentford go from strength to strength," Giles said.

"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."

Tottenham said Frank will bring several of his backroom staff with him from Brentford, including assistant coach Justin Cochrane, with set-piece specialist Andreas Georgson also joining from Manchester United.

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AP

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