Tottenham have confirmed the appointment of Thomas Frank as their head coach on a contract running until 2028. The 51-year-old takes over following the dismissal of Ange Postecoglou earlier this month, despite the Australian guiding the team to a Europa League title in May.
Frank leaves Brentford after seven years at the helm, having lifted the west London club from the Championship to the Premier League. During that time, he became a central figure in their growth, establishing them as a solid top-flight side. His arrival at Tottenham marks the club’s fourth permanent managerial change since June 2021.
Although Spurs endured a disappointing domestic campaign – ending 17th in the table with 22 losses – they secured Champions League football for next season by defeating Manchester United in the Europa League final held in Bilbao. It was their first major trophy since 2008.
Coaching team and reaction from Brentford
Frank brings several familiar faces with him to North London. Justin Cochrane, previously targeted to remain with Brentford, will be his assistant. Chris Haslam, Joe Newton, and Andreas Georgson also join his backroom staff, with Georgson arriving from Manchester United.
Brentford released a statement acknowledging Frank’s departure, calling his impact on the club’s journey “incredible.” Director of football Phil Giles praised Frank’s vision, leadership, and emotional intelligence, noting how he built strong ties with fans, developed players, and shaped a lasting club culture.
Giles reflected on Frank’s influence from the moment he took over from Dean Smith, emphasizing the Dane’s role in helping Brentford progress both on and off the pitch. The club expressed its gratitude and wished him success as they began their search for a new leader.
Shortly after the announcement, Tottenham captain Cristian Romero shared a message online, seemingly directed at Postecoglou. He thanked the outgoing manager for guiding the team through difficulties with a line that some interpreted as criticism of club chairman Daniel Levy’s decision to let him go.
Brentford’s achievements and tactical outlook
Frank originally joined Brentford in 2016 as an assistant coach and became head coach two years later. He led the team to two consecutive play-off finals, securing promotion in 2021 with a win over Swansea City. He became the first Brentford boss since 1935 to take the club into the top tier.
In the Premier League, Frank’s teams finished 13th, 9th, 16th, and 10th. Under his leadership, Brentford was known for their smart, physical style and data-led strategy. His Premier League record stands at 54 wins and 60 defeats from 152 matches, earning 200 points in total.
Statistically, Brentford’s style under Frank emphasized decision-making and efficiency. They had the fewest long-range shots in the league, with only 23% of their attempts coming from distance, compared to Tottenham’s 28%. They also contested more aerial duels than any other side, with 1,210 last season, far more than Spurs’ 872.
Crosses and fouls followed a similar pattern – Brentford attempted fewer crosses than Spurs and committed fewer fouls than almost every other side, with only Manchester City recording fewer. These trends suggest Tottenham could become a more calculated, physically competitive team under Frank’s leadership.
