Thomas Frank officially joins Tottenham: End of the Brentford era, start of a new chapter

After parting ways with Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur have unveiled their new manager. The club announced that they have signed a four-year deal with Brentford’s successful head coach Thomas Frank.

Postecoglou’s Europa League triumph failed to overshadow the generally disappointing Premier League campaign in the eyes of the board. As part of a new restructuring, Tottenham turned to Thomas Frank and officially signed him in the summer of 2025.

In a club statement, they said, “Thomas Frank is one of the most innovative coaches in modern football. His success in player development, on-field discipline, and building club culture reflects our vision.”

Tottenham’s coaching staff has also been revamped alongside Frank’s arrival. Justin Cochrane and Chris Haslam have joined from Brentford as first-team assistant coaches, with Haslam also taking on the role of performance director. Joe Newton has been added to the analytics team, and Andreas Georgson from Manchester United has also joined Frank’s staff.

Thomas Frank’s managerial career

The 51-year-old Danish coach has held long-term roles at various levels and has built a consistent success profile—especially during his nearly nine years at Brentford.

• Tottenham Hotspur (Head Coach)
  Start date: 1 July 2025 –

• Brentford FC (Head Coach)
  16 October 2018 – 30 June 2025
  Matches: 317 | Points per match: 1.51
  In the 2024/25 season, Frank led the team in 43 official matches, securing 19 wins, 8 draws, and 16 defeats.

• Brentford FC (Assistant Coach)
  9 December 2016 – 15 October 2018
  Served as assistant to manager Dean Smith during 94 matches

• Brøndby IF (Head Coach)
  11 June 2013 – 9 March 2016
  Matches: 103 | Points per match: 1.62

• Denmark U19 (Head Coach)
  1 July 2012 – 10 June 2013
  Matches: 6 | Points per match: 2.00

• Denmark U17 (Head Coach)
  1 July 2011 – 30 June 2012
  Matches: 11 | Points per match: 2.45

• Denmark U16 (Head Coach)
  1 July 2008 – 3 November 2011
  Matches: 2 | Points per match: 0.00

• Lyngby Boldklub Academy (Head Coach)
  1 January 2006 – 30 June 2008

• Boldklubben af 1893 II (Head Coach)
  1 January 2005 – 31 December 2005

Frank’s record in big Premier League matches

One of the most striking aspects of Thomas Frank’s Premier League career has been his success in preparing for big matches. Leading Brentford with a limited budget, Frank earned a reputation for orchestrating shock victories against top clubs.

Most notably, the 2-1 win at Etihad Stadium against Manchester City in the 2022/23 season demonstrated Frank’s tactical acumen on a global stage. That match remains City’s only home league defeat under Pep Guardiola that season and is considered one of the Premier League’s biggest upsets.

Under Frank, Brentford also recorded away victories over Arsenal at Emirates Stadium and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. These results highlighted his ability to prepare for and execute game plans in high-profile fixtures.

Given Tottenham’s recent inconsistency in such encounters, Frank’s experience in this area could be crucial. Spurs are hopeful of restoring some consistency in both derbies and top-four clashes through this strategic shift.

Risks of the Tottenham move for Frank

For Thomas Frank, joining Tottenham may be the biggest step of his managerial career so far. However, this leap also comes with a far more complex and multi-layered pressure environment.

At Brentford, Frank operated within a structure where expectations were more manageable, the public more patient, and the lack of European competition allowed for long-term planning. There, he built a systematic approach, earning praise for player development and financial stewardship. But the reality at Tottenham is quite different.

Tottenham aims to compete both domestically and in Europe, managed under big-club standards. Success is not just about playing quality football—it’s measured by league standings and trophy hauls. For Frank, this represents new challenges both on and off the pitch.

Furthermore, the media exposure and public scrutiny at a high-profile London club will be far more intense than anything Frank has previously experienced. Every transfer, team selection, and big-game result will be analysed in real-time.

Therefore, Frank’s success may ultimately depend on how swiftly he adjusts not just to the pitch—but to the high-pressure ecosystem surrounding the entire club.

An emotional farewell from Brentford

Brentford’s management issued a heartfelt farewell message to Thomas Frank for his years of service. Sporting director Phil Giles said, “Under his leadership, the club not only reached the Premier League but also developed a strong identity. His bond with the players, fans, and staff will not be forgotten.”

Brentford are expected to announce their new manager in the coming days. Meanwhile, Tottenham have stepped into a new era under Frank just ahead of pre-season preparations.

Although less than 24 hours have passed since Frank’s appointment, there has already been notable buzz among the Tottenham fanbase. Early reactions on social media reveal a clear split in opinion among supporters.

Many Tottenham fans have praised Frank’s ability to build long-term systems, deliver results with limited squads, and improve player development. Comments like “We’ve finally hired a system manager” or “If given time, he could make a real difference” reflect this sentiment.

However, a significant section of the fanbase has criticised the timing and profile of the appointment. Some argued, “It would’ve been better to keep Postecoglou,” questioning the decision to replace a Europa League-winning manager in the same season.

On the Brentford side, the reaction has been far more unified. Fans are sad to see Frank go but express deep gratitude. Alongside the club’s official channels, many supporter accounts shared emotional tributes like “Thank you Thomas” and “He wasn’t just a coach—he was the face of the club.”