Tottenham, Chelsea and Aston Villa are all keeping tabs on Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, 20, after the Argentine was told to find a new club. (Mail), external
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Anna Howells
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesThomas Frank is the new Tottenham manager and, excitingly, he is joining with an experienced coaching team.
Like any manager who has come into Spurs recently, he will have to focus on creating a squad he can work with efficiently and effectively.
What will be unique for Frank is he is coming into a dressing room full of Europa League winners, who all spoke fondly of his predecessor. Getting the backing of players, fans and the board surely have to be his priorities.
In terms of expectations, in some ways it will be hard to top lifting a trophy. However, having an improved Premier League season and finishing position is the bare minimum.
Being in the Champions League will have its challenges, I'm sure, but a decent cup run and a high enough finish in the league would be a decent first campaign.
We definitely need to be winning more games at home - that's a non-negotiable.
As a fan, I would like to see more of the squad being used and more youngsters getting a chance. I would like to see more of Djed Spence in defence and it would be nice for Archie Gray to establish a position he can remain in.
The activity in this transfer window could make or break Frank's season. Targets depend on who leaves (Cristian Romero, Richarlison?) and who the new boss might bring in from Brentford (Nathan Collins?).
A wide attacking player who can successfully take on opposition players and perhaps another striker could be on the cards.
Find more from Anna Howells at Spurs XY, external
Phil McNulty
Chief football writer
Image source, Getty ImagesThomas Frank has a reputation within football as a manager who detects problems and finds solutions. Now he must solve the seemingly never-ending puzzle that is Tottenham Hotspur.
Former Liverpool midfielder Jan Molby knows his countryman well, watching Brentford regularly in his role as a main Premier League football analyst in Denmark.
"I see a squad ready to play Thomas Frank football," Molby said.
"It is about putting the opposition under pressure at every given opportunity. The one thing you don't want to do as a team is defend. He likes to put the opposition under pressure.
"That is in open play, set-pieces. He makes no bones about his use of long throw-ins. Put teams under pressure. Play long. Play quick. He is adaptable tactically as well."
Frank has tailored Brentford's style so they are not quite as reliant on set-pieces. Excluding penalties, 33.3% of their goals came from set plays in 2021-22, followed by 31%, 19.6% and 21.2% in the subsequent three seasons.
Frank's lap of honour with his players around Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium, often when one of the Premier League's elite names had been defeated, became a familiar sight - his common touch often leading him to acknowledge faces in the crowd with whom he became familiar.
He also strikes the balance between the pressures of the top flight and enjoying his victories, often talking about his "few glasses of red" when basking in the afterglow of a win.
It might be harder to employ the personal touch at one of the game's aspiring superpowers in a magnificent 60,000-capacity stadium, but anyone who has been in close proximity to Frank would see a genuine people person as well as a shrewd football strategist.
Image source, Getty ImagesTottenham have announced another pre-season friendly before the 2025-26 season.
Thomas Frank's men will face League One outfit Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Saturday, 26 July - with the match kicking off at 15:00 BST.
Image source, Getty ImagesYou could argue it is risky to make a move like Thomas Frank has made to Tottenham when you are comfortable somewhere.
It is similar to David Moyes when he was at Everton the first time. He was doing so well and keeping them in the top half of the table -then he took that big job at Manchester United.
But Frank is one of the few managers who brought a team up from the Championship and has been able to keep them stable within the Premier League.
At some point as a manager, and even as a player, you have the ambition to test yourself somewhere at a higher level.
Tottenham is that right now with Champions League football, so for him it will be a new challenge, something different.
But, with Spurs being such a mess, even if things did not work out for Frank there, the fingers are more likely to be pointed at the club rather than the manager. If he fails at Tottenham, he has built up enough credit to get another job in the Premier League in the future - but it is risky.
The way he has been able to adapt at Brentford, finding a way to still win and improve even after losing key players, shows the quality of a manager.
So it is an interesting one in terms of his reputation, but I think it is a really good opportunity, and an exciting one for him to challenge himself where the expectation and the pressures are a lot different than he than he has had at Brentford.
You can see a difference in managers and performance when the pressure is off compared with when the pressure is on.
When you are at a club that supports you and there is a good relationship with the hierarchy and manager, a little less pressure and expectation, that is probably easier to manage than when you go to a club like Tottenham and the expectation is to go and win.
The pressures become a lot different at these clubs, and managing top players and big egos is a lot different than than managing the players Frank had at Brentford - who were probably a group collectively a lot stronger than one individual within the team.
Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Brentford defender Andreas Bjelland believes Tottenham's players must "buy in to the project" to help Thomas Frank deliver "big things".
Bjelland, who is now the assistant coach of Danish club Ljungby Boldklub, twice played for Frank, when the new Spurs boss was a coach at Ljungby, and then assistant at Brentford.
The 36-year-old won 36 caps for Denmark during his career, and told BBC Sport about Frank's qualities: "The environment he tries to create, the culture he tries to create around him and the dialogue between you and him as a player as individuals but also as a team is massive.
"Coming from Denmark into Brentford, [he was] trying to adapt a little bit in how he wants to see football - but also knowing that it's not something that can be done in one day so it's taking it step by step.
"He's a good guy but he's also a really football-clever guy who can see the game in a really fast and clever way."
Frank was confirmed as Tottenham's new manager on Thursday, following the sacking of Ange Postecoglou after their worst Premier League season.
Spurs lost 22 league matches in the last campaign, but Bjelland feels Frank is the right man to turn things around: "The main thing for the players is to buy in and trust the process because I think he can create some big things there.
"Embrace the person he is that really cares about you and take that in. You can learn a lot from him on and off the pitch."
Frank's former teaching colleague, Trine Ladekarl Nelleman, believes his ability to form relationships has benefited his coaching career.
"I think you can compare the two things [coaching and teaching] - to make people do their best and motivate them," she said.
"I don't know if in English you use the expression: carrot and the stick. Pressure and care at the same time and balancing that so you can not just do whatever you like, you have to do your best to succeed."
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your thoughts on Tottenham's new manager Thomas Frank.
Here are some of your comments:
Phil: He's my first choice and probably only choice in fact. I like his personality the most and he has turned Brentford into a very good Premier League team.
Ken: A GREAT choice for Spurs and a GREAT chance for Frank to show what he can do. Let's hope for the best!
Noah: Extremely happy with the appointment. Last season was a very difficult watch and as much it was amazing to win a trophy, I was not looking forward to another season under Ange. Think Frank will do what Pochettino did for us, which are by far the best years I've experienced as Tottenham fan. COYS!
Andy: Only time will tell. A different approach is definitely needed and evidence to date indicates we're going to get that. I hope the club back him in the transfer market early so that he can prepare and hit the ground running.
Stephen: Very happy Ange has gone. I think a manager on an upwards curve is a good move. I wish him all the best.
Nathan: Seriously! Why get rid of Ange and replace him with someone who has won nothing? It's a step back, in my opinion. Not saying Ange shouldn't have gone (although personally I think he should have been given another season), but at least replace him with someone with more experience.
Dean: Underwhelmed is an understatement! Spurs' announcement talks about "appointing the most innovative and progressive coach in the game", but he has no European Cup experience and hasn't won anything. Here's to another 17 years in the trophy wilderness...
Paul: People need to relax about the appointment of Frank. As much as lots of us loved Ange for delivering the long-awaited trophy, it made the horizon of how we felt about the situation very foggy. He was out of his depth in the Premier League and we nearly got relegated. The right decision has been made and this group of players need to stop sulking about it and get on with it - they lost 22 league games. This is one of the best managerial appointments I think Spurs will see in the last 40 years.
Image source, Getty ImagesJust an hour after Tottenham's appointment of Thomas Frank was confirmed, vice-captain Cristian Romero posted a message to his former boss Ange Postecoglou on social media, external.
It included the line: "You paved the way despite the many obstacles that always existed and always will exist."
Some supporters have viewed this as a shot at Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, who chose to sack Postecoglou despite him winning the Europa League and ending the club's 17-year trophy drought.
During the trophy parade in north London, Postecoglou made headlines by saying in the best TV shows "series three is always better than season two", hinting at his future at the club.
Several Tottenham players posted tributes to the Australian coach following confirmation of his departure, but it is the timing - and reference to many obstacles that "always existed and always will exist" - that has caused speculation.
"Beyond everything, we won a trophy and went down in the history of this beautiful club, which is the only thing that matters," Romero added.
"I wish you the best because you deserve the best, and thank you for everything."
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock says Tottenham's players will "respect" new head coach Thomas Frank because of the job he did at Brentford and be "excited" to play for him.
Frank spent seven years in charge of the Bees, rising from the Championship to the Premier League and establishing the club in the top flight.
"I love listening to managers who don't want to sit deep and invite teams on to them and do want to go after games," Warnock told the Football Daily podcast.
"Frank is the type of manager who is willing to change his tactics and style within a game to try to get a result. He makes positive changes to try to win a game and influence it.
"He'll openly come out after a game and say he got it wrong if it didn't work. His honesty is very undervalued, but certainly not within a group of players."
Frank will become Tottenham's fourth permanent manager since June 2021 but Warnock believes the Spurs squad will have watched the job he has done at Brentford and be looking forward to working together.
"As a player, I'd be very excited. I'd respect Frank for what he's done with the budget he's had at Brentford, but also the style of play he's produced within that," he added.
"The frontline has been full of outstanding players; defensively, they've been really organised.
"I was in America when Brentford were playing in a pre-season competition and the players loved him and his management style.
"They had so much respect for Frank because he treated them like humans and let them be free. But, he would not let the standards of training drop.
"He's not just the lovely guy in front of camera, there's an element of steel to him too. He ticks all the boxes. He's a great addition to Tottenham."
Brentford will block attempts by new Tottenham manager Thomas Frank to bring Denmark midfielder Christian Norgaard, 31, with him from his former club. (Givemesport), external
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In the latest episode of his podcast, Kyle Walker has had plenty to say on how happy he was to see Tottenham win the Europa League.
Image source, Getty ImagesSo, Tottenham have got their man - bringing in Thomas Frank from Brentford to succeed Ange Postecoglou.
And we want your views on the news.
Spurs' club statement read: "In Thomas, we are appointing one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game.
"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."
First of all, are you happy with the club's choice or is there someone else you would have preferred?
Secondly, what are the main things in the Dane's in-tray at Spurs? Tell us what his priorities are.
Luke Reddy
BBC Sport senior journalist
Thomas Frank appears destined to succeed Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham, following in the footsteps of a coach who secured a first trophy in 17 years for the north London side.
Postecoglou's style of play proved divisive, with a notoriously high line featuring prominently before being ditched for the crucial Europa League final run-in.
But what changes might Frank bring? The Brentford boss is known for his use of data in the game, previously stating he is not a lover of shots from outside the box.
Last season, 23% of Brentford's efforts came from outside the area, compared to 28% of Spurs'. This, one would think, is an area where change is likely if Frank brings his desire to not waste good positions with pot-shots with him from the Gtech.
Brentford's mark was the lowest in the league, with champions Liverpool another side taking a lowly 26% of shots from outside the box. Strugglers Ipswich (39%), Wolves (38%) and Manchester United (36%) were at the other end of the spectrum.
There is also a perception Frank's teams are direct and 'put it in the mixer' in the modern game, but this may only be true up to a point.
Last season, Brentford attempted 675 crosses, while Spurs - often seen as easy on the eye - delivered 752 crosses. Again, much like with his focus on shot selection, Frank may bring with him the need to be more picky in wide areas, crossing only when there is merit.
Two statistics that stand out, though, are his side's willingness to compete in the air, with last season's 1,210 aerial duels the highest figure in the league and dwarfing Tottenham's 872. The 2023-24 campaign saw an even bigger gulf.
Expect Tottenham, then, to contest things that bit more but, as with shots from long range or crosses, Frank seems to want to be smart when it comes to competing. His side have fouled far less than Spurs across the past two seasons and hence discipline may come to the fore if he takes charge.
Only Manchester City committed fewer fouls than Brentford last season.
One way to concede fewer goals from dead balls is to give fewer dead balls away. Frank's success has been built upon such logic all over the pitch and humble yet effective tweaks are seemingly on the way at Spurs.
Ian Westbrook
Brentford Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesThomas Frank has many strengths as a manager.
Perhaps his biggest quality is creating squad unity - it is why Brentford have thrived in the Premier League. He has managed - and improved - big names like Ollie Watkins, David Raya and Ivan Toney, but also ensured they still bought into the team ethic.
Nobody in a Frank side is the star player - it is all about the team - and that shines through during games and also in the post-match lap of fan appreciation, which happens whatever the result.
Frank seems to genuinely respect and value us supporters. His post-match applause of the fans always seems genuine and not tokenistic - never more so than after his eighth defeat in 10 games after taking charge. Following that 2-0 loss in December sleet at Hull - he still came over to the 300 of us to show his thanks, despite some fans calling for his sacking.
Brentford's players clearly have a close bond with each other and also with Frank, who says he wants them to be "confident, but humble".
He is never too high or too low - insisting on the "24-hour rule" to either celebrate a win or get over a defeat, before moving on.
Frank always tries to play positively. He will never settle for a late draw if a win may be possible and never wants the ball played in the corner to protect a lead.
He is also flexible - and has constantly evolved how the Bees play to fit a particular match or the players available, using 4-3-3, 3-5-2, 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 formations.
Frank is a deep thinker and, if Spurs give him time, he will flourish. He is a big loss for Brentford, but nobody is bigger than the club and the succession plan will have been worked out ages ago.
Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external
Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty ImagesBrentford 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.
Image source, Getty ImagesThomas Frank's "Scandinavian leadership" is a crucial and distinctive trait he can take to Tottenham.
That's the view of Teddy Hebo Larsen, the chairman of Hvidovre where Thomas Frank was a youth coach between 1998 and around 2004.
Frank, who worked in Denmark's age group teams before moving to Brondby and Brentford in the club game, is nearing a switch to take charge of Spurs.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Hebo Larsen said this was a "very important" time in Frank's career and it is his personal skills that have made him "extremely popular" with players.
He said: "Thomas is investing heavily in leadership - he is very special in that aspect. I'm not sure I see that in many other head coaches. What we would call Scandinavian leadership is what he has brought to Brentford in my view.
"It's much more involved in engaging people, listening to people, empathy, authenticity is a key word. Thomas has plenty of that. One of his strengths was being a good supporter and developer for the young guys while still keeping a professional distance to them as a coach. He used a team based approach - making sure that each player knew the common goal for the team. I could see very clear leadership skills."
Hebo Larsen explained he first saw Frank coaching youth players in near darkness but that his "energy and his dedication was already at that time very clear".
Asked if he would be proud to see him lead Spurs, Hebo Larsen said: "For sure. I think he deserves it very much. If you recall he had a tough start at Brentford but they believed in him, they stayed with him.
"Thomas is a project manager - he has a clear project with a clear goal and he just continuously follows that goal and tries to develop things around him. Of course we are really proud at what Thomas has achieved - it's really outstanding and if he moves to Tottenham I can only congratulate Spurs as I think they will get a very, very special head coach and I do hope he has the time to blossom."
Aston Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham are monitoring developments with Jadon Sancho, 25, after the England winger's return to Manchester United following his loan spell at Chelsea. (Sun), external
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