Brentford

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After Thomas Frank issued his goodbye statement, we wanted to hear some of your messages for him as he departs Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

Mike: Thank you very much for all of your hard work and honesty in making Brentford FC who they are today. We are no longer minnows in a big pond, we are now becoming gladiators in the Premier League and showing the giants of the league we are not pushovers. So thank you Thomas Frank and good luck at Spurs. See you during the season.

Charlie: Thank you Thomas. You put everything you have into bringing us up to the Premier League and kept us there, but above all you came across as somebody we all call a friend. Good luck.

Phil: Thanks Thomas for being a good coach but an even better human, and for realising that our values are what make Brentford special. Thanks for being friends with Woody, for thanking the fans and being an eloquent advocate for our "bus stop in Hounslow".

George: Frank will always be welcome in our little corner of London - I'm not shocked to see him depart for a new challenge (and I don't envy just how big of a challenge he's picked), but I am very sad to see him go. I hope the incredible drive and belief he instilled in our fans and players can now live on beyond him.

Dave: Thank you Thomas for bringing Brentford fans the best times ever. Truly you brought us halcyon days. Good luck at Spurs, you have earned your chance.

Christopher: Thank you Thomas for the dedication, care and consideration you provided for everything Brentford. As a lifelong fan I will miss your positive presence and I hope your sense of community remains woven into the soul of the club. We understand that you are following your dream. The very best of good fortune, we will miss you and your heartfelt values.

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

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So the long drawn-out saga of Thomas Frank crossing London to join Tottenham from Brentford is thankfully over.

It has been a hard one to take for a number of reasons:

• losing one of our best-ever managers;

• the media frenzy and length of time this has taken;

• three of our backroom staff also going.

Let me get one thing straight first of all.

I have no problem with Frank wanting to take the chance to manage in the Champions League. His stock is high, the chance has come up now and may never have happened again. He had to do it and I totally understand that.

I always said that if or when he left us, it would be to a really big club or to the Denmark national team.

He has been a brilliant manager for us and I will always be grateful for that. He has achieved so much, taking us into the Premier League and establishing us there, earning some famous wins over the big boys, bringing an amazing culture and unity to the club and having a real bond with us fans.

However, what I and other supporters are upset about is him taking the core of our backroom staff too.

We promoted internally when other managers like Uwe Rosler and Dean Smith left and Frank was one of the beneficiaries of that policy.

This has probably stopped us doing that now and makes appointing a replacement much slower than necessary.

We know that owner Matthew Benham and director of football Phil Giles are brilliant operators and would have had a contingency plan and we trust them to get it right.

We can also still do well again next season.

But this whole episode has been way messier than it needed to be.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

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Brentford fan Craig Tillyer from the Ealing Road podcast has reflected on the "incredible memories" under Thomas Frank after the Danish boss' departure to become Tottenham head coach was confirmed.

"As a club and fanbase we will miss him very much," Tillyer told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"He's taken us from being a mid-table Championship club to a mid-table and succeeding Premier League club, while giving us some incredible moments over the past seven years.

"From losing eight of his first 10 games with Brentford to beating Manchester City, Chelsea and Spurs away, beating Arsenal in the club's first Premier League game and beating Manchester United 4-0.

"There are so many incredible memories and he is one of the nice guys in football."

Tillyer also pointed to Brentford's history of successfully replacing key players when asked about the club's plans for the post-Frank era.

"We can go back a long time with players. We replaced Andre Gray with Scott Hogan and then when he moved on we replaced him with Neal Maupay," he added. "From him we got Ollie Watkins, then Ivan Toney, then Bryan Mbeumo stepped up.

"We have had so much success and such a fantastic track record of replacing important players in the squad - but we are in a new time as a football club where we having to replace arguably the most successful coach we've ever had."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Thomas Frank has issued an emotional goodbye message to Brentford after his departure to join Tottenham was confirmed on Thursday.

Frank leaves the Bees after seven years, in which he took the club to the Premier League and established them as a mid-table club in the top flight, recording 13th, ninth, 16th and 10th-place finishes.

The full goodbye message reads:

"To everyone associated with Brentford Football Club, the time has come for me to move on.

"But even as I leave, I know I have left a big piece of my heart at Brentford, not just at the football club but with the community and, of course, the incredible and loyal supporters.

"I want to extend my profound gratitude to the club for giving me the chance to pursue my dreams and for everyone involved who made the journey such a memorable one.

"For my family and me, it has been a privilege to be allowed to be part of such a special community - it's an experience and adventure that we will cherish for life. So, thank you.

"Whatever we have achieved, we have achieved together, and our success is built on unity, spirit, courage and ambition at every level of the club and among the fans.

"Everybody has contributed, and every contribution has been invaluable. I am not just leaving a football club, I am saying goodbye to friends whose support through good and bad times I will carry with me always.

"I would like to say a special word of thanks to Matthew Benham. His trust and friendship have meant so much, and the fact he gave me a chance in English football means I will always owe him a debt of gratitude. Thank you, Matt.

"So, while this is a goodbye, I hope the relationships I have built with everybody will be lasting ones and, of course, we will meet again in the wonderful world of football. Thank you."

So, you've read Frank's farewell message - what would be your goodbye message to him?

Let us know here

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Thomas Frank proved that when Brentford lost one important individual, such as Ivan Toney, the collective was still strong.

However, with Frank having now moved across London to Tottenham and the possibility of losing star players like Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, it could potentially be really difficult for the Bees.

Who they bring in to replace Frank is going to be really interesting. Who is available? Who is the right person for the job and to manage the group of players that are left? Then, are Brentford going to spend to replace any players who leave?

They had the know-how under Frank to do this, but he is not there any more.

What does help is that they already have players with the quality to play in the Premier League.

They are already above the teams coming up from the Championship, and we have seen in recent years how the promoted sides have really struggled to adapt - to the speed, the quality and the fact you cannot take as many risks. Brentford are already equipped for that.

So, if Brentford really want to avoid a possible relegation fight next season, they have to appoint the right manager, and then they have to spend and try to replace any outgoing players with similar quality.

The fact they have been in the Premier League for the time they have and have that stability really helps them.

It is going to be a different kind of campaign for them this time around without Frank, but I certainly do not think they will be relegated, even if they also lose players like Mbeumo.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

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Brentford will block attempts by new Tottenham manager Thomas Frank to bring midfielder Christian Norgaard with him from his former club. (Givemesport), external

The Bees and West Ham are both interested in Rangers and Morocco striker Hamza Igamane, 22, after he scored 16 goals in the Scottish Premiership last season. (Foot Mercato - in French), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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We asked you for your thoughts on who Thomas Frank's replacement at Brentford should be, after the Dane’s departure to take over at Premier League rivals Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Dave: Kieran McKenna looks like he would be a good fit at Brentford. He was well regarded at Manchester United and did well with Ipswich on a limited budget.

Steve: McKenna as his style of football and the tactics he employs suit Brentford's existing tactical approach.

Rob: Anyone apart from McKenna and Scott Parker - both were out of their depth during their previous stints in the Premier League.

Stephen: Parker and McKenna are relegation specialists, and the last people we need. All these names seem really unambitious choices. Why aren't we looking at successful managers from foreign leagues, as Bournemouth and Wolves have both done with great success?

Brian: I trust the ownership to find a brilliant replacement as they always do. He won't leave USA , but my ideal candidate would be Mauricio Pochettino. He has an excellent track record on developing younger players. It would also be nice for him to manage a project and be allowed to see it through for once.

AC: Well, was hoping for Cochrane but he's gone with Frank. Like the idea generally of promoting from within, which is also the structure the club had in place, so club legend Kevin O'Connor could be a shout. Not keen on Parker so hope that's not the direction they go in.

Ian: Neil MacFarlane, for me. Wealth of experience in our B team and with his national team. Has helped promote some of our best youngsters we've ever had and had a clear philosophy when you watch his sides. Also his assistant is club legend Sam Saunders so that would be pretty good too!

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Brentford director of football Phil Giles has said "we will never forget" Thomas Frank as the Dane's move to Tottenham was confirmed on Thursday.

Frank spent seven years in charge of the Bees, guiding the club from the Championship to the Premier League in 2021.

"From the moment he replaced Dean Smith, he understood what we were trying to build and his wisdom, coaching ability and emotional intelligence have helped transform the club," said Giles.

"There have been so many special moments with Thomas and nobody will ever forget the day at Wembley for the play-off final or that emotional first Premier League game against Arsenal.

"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.

"However, just as when a player leaves, it provides an opportunity for someone else to come in and make their own impact.

"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."

Assistant first-team coach Justin Cochrane, head of athletic performance Chris Haslam and first-team analyst Joe Newton are also joining Frank at Spurs.

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Brentford and England coach Justin Cochrane is set to join Thomas Frank at Tottenham.

Frank's arrival at Spurs will be confirmed inside the next 24 hours and the Dane is bringing Cochrane with him across London.

The Bees were keen to keep hold of Cochrane, who had been linked with becoming Frank's replacement.

As Tottenham continue their pursuit of Thomas Frank, it is time to talk about replacements.

Italian Journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that Scott Parker is under consideration, external to take over at Gtech Community Stadium and is part of a three-man shortlist to become the next bees boss.

Elsewhere, TBR football have reported that Kieran McKenna and Liam Rosenoir have impressed the club hierarchy, external and may be on the radar to become the new coach.

There is likely to be other names floating around over the coming days, but we want to know who you want next in the Brentford dugout. Are any of the rumoured names catching your eye, or is there someone else you want to see in West London?

Tell us who you want to replace Frank here

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We asked for your views on whether Brentford need to act urgently in the transfer market, with the first window closing at 19:00 BST on Tuesday.

Here are some of your comments:

Ian: Everything must be up in the air with Thomas Frank's pending departure! Should he move on, then he has earned that chance. In terms of transfers, so far we have done well on incoming deals. I believe further ins and outs will take place in the second part of the transfer window.

Stephen: Don't let Thomas Frank go! Nothing else matters.

Nick: We look certain to lose Bryan Mbeumo and Thomas Frank. They will take some serious replacing but we have faith in those at the top. I expect maybe three or four incomings, but we also have some players that we have barely seen yet. As fans, I think we just need to embrace the change.

Brian: It would be crazy to buy replacements for players that haven't even been sold. Everybody said they wanted to buy Ivan Toney, but they didn't. We do our business quietly and not in the media. Whatever needs doing has already been done, including a new manager.

Richard: I'm not a Brentford fan but really feel for them. Their deadline day needs change so much if Frank goes to Spurs. He is the perfect fit for Brentford. So many managers and players take the glory team path and fail. Everybody loves Thomas, I hope he makes the right decision.

Today is the first of two transfer deadline days this summer as the window shuts for seven days before reopening on 16 June.

In a change to the summer transfer window norm, it opened early to allow clubs involved in the Fifa Club World Cup 10 days to sign players for inclusion in the competition.

Whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

Follow our live text coverage throughout the day here

And keep up to date with all the latest news, views and transfers for your club

It is not just at the top of the Premier League where American ownership has a foothold in English football.

Twenty years on from the Glazer takeover of Manchester United, one third of the 72 EFL clubs now have either majority or minority US backers.

In a special episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, Kelly Cates is joined by a group of experts to investigate whether this trend is likely to continue.

Listen on BBC Sounds

On Tuesday, the first of two summer transfer windows will come to a close.

So, do you expect business to be done at Brentford before the deadline? Do you want players to come in or exit? If so, what or who do you think is needed?

Let us know

Tottenham will have to pay in excess of £10m if they want to bring in Brentford boss Thomas Frank to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Saturday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Brentford boss Thomas Frank has emerged as Tottenham's leading candidate to replace Ange Postecoglou as manager.

Multiple sources have told BBC Sport that Spurs are strongly interested in Frank and that initial work has been already been undertaken to enquire about his availability.

Frank has a good relationship with Spurs technical director and fellow Dane Johan Lange, which could be a deciding factor when club chairman Daniel Levy comes to decide who he appoints.

But the likes of Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola, Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner and Fulham's Marco Silva are among others understood to be in the frame.

And Tottenham have even given consideration to reappointing former manager Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently in charge of the United States.

Read more here