Tottenham have always been in the news, and with the latest move by the club to bring in a new manager, the gist about them will continue to gain pace. For all their potential, resources, and passionate fanbase, Spurs have spent years teetering on the edge of greatness, only to fall short.
Erstwhile manager Ange Postecoglou did the unthinkable by helping the Whites win their first title in 17 years and a return to Champions League football, but he was still sacked at the end of the day. In Ange’s place, the North London club has already announced former Brentford manager Thomas Frank.
It is now expected that Tottenham tickets will see a rise in demand next season, owing to Champions League football, alongside Thomas Frank’s appointment.
But the question on everyone’s mind is simple: Can Thomas Frank take Tottenham to new heights?
A Manager Who Knows How to Build
Thomas Frank isn’t a household name in European football. He doesn’t come with a Champions League medal or a trophy-laden CV, but what he does bring is substance. Before his stint at Brentford, the Danish manager worked in youth football for nearly two decades, and that is the sort of experience he arrives in North London with.
During his time at Brentford, he took a modest London club from the Championship to the Premier League and made them stay there, punching far above their weight. A feat he achieved by not spending big, but building smartly over many years. Frank also made good use of the football talents made available to him, while building a tight squad with a clear playing identity —something Spurs have sorely lacked in recent years.
Brentford under Frank were tactically sound as a team, defined by discipline, structure, and data-driven planning. Frank’s tactical set-up is quite dynamic; he can choose to be pragmatic but very adaptable. Brentford, under his management, played different styles based on the approach of the opposition, and it helped them to achieve their aims.
That level of balance could work wonders at Tottenham, a club that has flirted with both ends of the footballing spectrum—from the attacking flair of Mauricio Pochettino to the rigid structures of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.
For most of Ange Postecoglou’s tenure, the team struggled to adapt to situations, but they showed the other side of them in the Europa League final win over Manchester United, meaning it is achievable with the current crop of players at the club.
Style of Play: Can It Fit Tottenham?
While at Brentford, Frank’s go-to formations were 3-5-2 and 4-3-3. The latter has been a common setup for the Whites in the past two seasons, and a slight change might test their readiness to adapt to his demands.
In either formation, Frank’s focus is on directness and transitions. Based on that, Spurs, who were keen on dominating possession under the previous manager, will need a significant shift to reap the fruits of his system.
But here’s the thing: style is important, but winning games and being competitive at the top level is more important. Having tasted their first trophy in 17 years, Tottenham fans want to taste more trophies. They want to see progress. If Frank can offer that, even if it means a shift from traditional flair to pragmatic structure, most supporters will get on board.
Meanwhile, it could be said that Frank’s tactics at Brentford were based on the players at his disposal. With better players at Spurs—think of Son Heung-min, James Maddison, and perhaps a few new signings—a new Frank could be seen in North London.
Player and crisis management
Tottenham’s dressing room has been up and down in the last few years, and here is someone who comes with a bag of good experience in that aspect. One of Frank’s biggest attributes is his relationship with players. So, it is not surprising that he spent that number of years with the Bees.
The 51-year-old Dane spent nine years at the club, initially joining as an assistant before replacing Dean Smith as head coach, leading the club, in their most recent successful era, to the Premier League for the first time.
Former Brentford players often speak glowingly about him—not just as a coach, but as a leader and a mentor. He is a listener and a creator of an environment where players feel safe, valued, and driven to achieve success.
In announcing Frank’s departure, Brentford director of football Phil Giles wrote: “It has been a pleasure working alongside Thomas.
“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.”
With time, Frank made an indelible mark at Brentford, and he will need a similar environment to thrive.
During the era of Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho, Tottenham experienced a lot of dressing room unrest and a lack of squad unity. So Frank’s appointment is just the right antidote to help stabilize things and build the club up once again.
At the moment, Spurs have a lot of youngsters and some leaders in the team, which Frank should be able to handle well. He also has a knack for getting the best out of underrated players. Ivan Toney’s rise under his management is one obvious example. So, imagine what he could do with top talents at Tottenham.
The Youth Factor
The average age of Tottenham’s squad last season was 24.7, making them the third youngest in the Premier League. From Harry Kane to Oliver Skipp, Tottenham have a strong tradition of developing young talent.
It is abundantly clear that the North London club have a good number of young talents, and a man like Frank, who has a background in youth coaching, would likely embrace the tradition of developing them.
During his time at Brentford, the Danish manager gave several opportunities to young players and helped them grow. His coaching methods are modern, his understanding of youth development is deep, and his patience with nurturing talent could be valuable at a club like Spurs that wants to balance big ambitions with long-term sustainability.
Conclusion: Time to Bet on Stability?
To answer the question—can Thomas Frank take Tottenham to new heights? Yes, he can, but only if he’s allowed to do things his way. The Tottenham board, led by Daniel Levy, must show patience, the fans must offer support, and the club must commit to a long-term vision.
If everything aligns, and with Frank’s qualities, the mindset, and experience, Spurs can do beyond just the fight for a fourth-place finish.
Main photo credit: IMAGO / Action Plus