Just a few months into Thomas Frank`s tenure as manager of Brentford in the Championship, the prospect of leading one of football`s wealthiest clubs into a UEFA Champions League campaign likely seemed a distant dream. However, six years ago, Frank articulated the core principles of his managerial philosophy, which could serve as a compelling argument for his reported imminent move to Tottenham Hotspur.
“As a person, I am very open, very human-minded,” he stated in an interview in 2019. “That`s one aspect. The other is my love for football details. I aim to develop a specific playing style, to create a beautiful game, but I am also intensely focused on cultivating a fantastic culture and environment. I`m fortunate to be at a club that values both.”
While this philosophy would resonate with any club, Frank`s dual focus appears particularly well-suited for Spurs, who recently parted ways with Ange Postecoglou after a season of stark contrasts. Postecoglou delivered on his promise to end the club`s 17-year trophy drought, but this achievement was overshadowed by a 17th-place finish in the Premier League, a primary factor in his departure. Though partly an anomaly resulting from persistent injury issues, that league position also exposed significant vulnerabilities the ambitious team must address to succeed in both domestic and European competitions next season.
A key area for improvement, particularly with the upcoming managerial change, is the style of play. Postecoglou was known as a tactical purist, deeply committed to his attacking approach and a high defensive line, willing to succeed or fail by it. While adaptable, his strategy polarized opinion; his Spurs side was thrilling at its best but defensively vulnerable more often than ideal. Frank`s potential hiring seems a direct response to this weakness. He also favors an attacking style, common among modern managers, but he is more pragmatic. Over his seven seasons at Brentford, including four in the Premier League, he has varied his tactical setups, employing formations like 4-4-3, 5-3-2, and most recently 4-2-3-1, depending on the available players.
Frank could also significantly improve a specific area of weakness: set-piece defending. Last season, Spurs conceded 13 goals from set pieces, the fifth-worst record in the Premier League, and ranked third-to-last in expected goals against from set pieces (14.24). In contrast, Frank`s Brentford conceded just two goals from set pieces last season – fewer than any other team in the league – despite their expected goals against from these situations being 9.68.
Furthermore, Frank is well-positioned to maximize Spurs` offense, which was their main strength last season. Despite finishing 17th, Spurs remained one of the league`s top attacking teams. Brentford, finishing 10th, were also potent offensively. The Bees were tied for fifth in the league for goals scored with 66, two more than Spurs` 64, and ranked eighth for expected goals with 60.21, slightly ahead of Tottenham`s 59.65 in ninth.
As Frank himself described years ago, the foundation of his success is a detail-oriented strategy. His rise is intrinsically linked to Brentford`s adoption of a data-driven model, making the club a leading example of this operational approach in football. This has resulted in sustainable success, establishing them as a Premier League fixture. They are one of only four teams promoted since the 2021-22 season to remain in the top flight throughout this period, facing relegation concerns just once. This strategy has involved signing young talent and selling them for significant profits to wealthier clubs, notably receiving over $35 million each for Ollie Watkins and David Raya from Aston Villa and Arsenal, respectively.
Brentford`s success with this model highlights Tottenham`s major challenge last season, which wasn`t solely the manager. At full strength, Tottenham is a strong team, but they had weak points in their lineup and inconsistent depth on the bench. Spurs require a refresh in midfield after underwhelming seasons from Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur and need more options alongside the injury-prone James Maddison, currently the only player capable of effectively filling the attacking midfield role. Their forward line could also benefit from upgrades; Son Heung-min had a good season, but he turns 33 in July, signaling a potential decline as the primary offensive focal point. Dominic Solanke performed well with 16 goals across all competitions in his first season with Tottenham, but the team could still look to strengthen this position.
This is where a data-driven approach could prove vital for Spurs, who have had mixed results with transfers in recent years. While Tottenham is the ninth-richest club globally, their financial power doesn`t match their direct rivals, making signing established superstars challenging. Identifying and acquiring the next wave of top talent, however, is a viable strategy that would be significantly aided by a strong data team *behind* Frank, rather than relying solely on the manager. This summer is crucial for Frank, but perhaps even more so for Spurs` front office, including technical director Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici, the former managing director expected to return after his ban for financial irregularities ends. Their responsibility will be to identify and secure the players necessary for Frank to realize his full potential and join football`s managerial elite.
Frank: The latest manager on the rise
Before Postecoglou`s departure, there was uncertainty whether Spurs could genuinely upgrade given the limited number of clear top candidates. The club hierarchy has reportedly settled on Frank, who appears to be a good tactical match for Spurs, despite his relative inexperience at the absolute highest levels of the game.
Frank`s only prior European experience was in UEFA Europa League qualifiers with Brondby in Denmark during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, never reaching the group stage. His potential leap from Brentford to Spurs underscores the ongoing period of managerial transition in football. Established figures like Carlo Ancelotti and Jurgen Klopp are currently outside the club game, prompting top European clubs to seek rising talents such as Xabi Alonso and Arne Slot. While Frank may not have the same profile as Alonso or Slot yet, his impressive work at Brentford has earned him a chance at a high-profile club.
Another point in Postecoglou`s favor was his exceptional ability to manage players as individuals. He seemingly never lost the dressing room despite the team`s dip in form, and their Europa League triumph serves as a rare example of team spirit and intangibles compensating for tangible shortcomings. Many Spurs players developed admiration for Postecoglou, with numerous lengthy tributes appearing on social media after his exit. While it would be unfair to expect Frank to replicate this specific quality immediately, his stated `no dickhead` policy aligns well with fostering a positive locker room environment.
“The culture is built on values, and some of our core values are togetherness and hard work. Thomas often uses the phrase `confident but humble`. He has this `no-dickhead policy`, which I believe we uphold,” Brentford`s Christian Norgaard commented in 2023. “In the changing room, there`s no one who isn`t moving in the same direction as us; otherwise, they wouldn`t be there.”
All the necessary components seem to be in place, but the crucial question for a Spurs side under Frank is how quickly everything will coalesce. Postecoglou spent his final weeks emphasizing how the Europa League victory changed the narrative regarding their trophy drought, hoping it would provide a foundation for future success. It will be the collective responsibility of the entire club – not just Frank – to live up to that vision, a potentially complex task with a Champions League season looming. Time, and this summer`s transfer activity, will reveal if they can position themselves strongly for the 2025-26 campaign, but in terms of managerial choices, Frank appears a sensible fit for a club that consistently aims to punch above its weight.
Adrian Whitmore 
Benedict Kingsley