Thomas Frank now has a new club to call home as he’s officially taken over as head coach of Tottenham Hotspur. He comes in on an impressive seven-year tenure at Brentford. His appointment signals a new chapter for the club as it aims to compete fiercely in all four major tournaments. Frank held his inaugural press conference at Tottenham’s training ground, where he emphasized his commitment to an aggressive and attacking style of play that he has coined “Frankball.”
At the press conference, Frank had a few good-natured jibes to throw. He compared the luxurious press facilities at Tottenham to Brentford’s lowly press box. He expressed excitement about the opportunities that lie ahead and the challenges of managing a club with such high expectations.
Frank’s first competitive match in charge comes this Saturday, as Tottenham opens the Premier League 2 campaign against Reading in a friendly. He’ll be tasked with getting the best out of an extremely talented squad featuring stars such as Son Heung-min and Cristian Romero. Frank and company’s focus now shifts to the Super Cup against Paris St-Germain on August 13. He will be desperate to make a big first impression and get a piece of silverware on the club’s growing mantlepiece.
Ambitious Goals and a New Approach
In his inaugural speech as Spurs manager, Frank laid out his ambition for the club. He stressed a bold and audacious attitude toward the game. He articulated his principles clearly, stating, “I’m very clear on the principles on every phase of the game. I want us to be brave and very aggressive. I want to attack.”
Frank understands the relentless pressure that comes with occupying the hot-seat of one of European football’s biggest clubs in Tottenham, but he looks forward to the challenge. He stated, “Coming to a big club, there is pressure. We need to perform, it’s me, the staff and the players. We have to do it together.” That confidence in his coaching abilities comes through in one fact about his record—he’s never been sacked as a manager. He even joked about this explicitly when pressed on the risks associated with assuming such a high-profile position.
“Only five?! I like to challenge myself and I have never been sacked before, that’s one reason I took the job, to get more risk into my daily life,” – Thomas Frank
Frank’s desire to demand the highest standards is shown in his presumption that all players should stay at the club. He expressed his satisfaction with their current training atmosphere, stating, “I see happy players. Positive and smiling energy, training really well with a good vibe around the place.”
Acknowledging Legacy and Setting New Standards
While stepping onto a new path with continued camaraderie and adventure ahead, Frank pays respect to his predecessor, Ange Postecoglou. Postecoglou left an indelible mark on the club when he guided them to victory in the Europa League. Frank acknowledged Postecoglou’s achievements, declaring, “Ange will forever be a legend. He is one of three who have won a European trophy, a great achievement.” This award is indicative of Frank’s appreciation for the club’s history and sets his expectations for success moving forward.
Looking ahead, Frank has set an ambitious goal for himself and his squad: to compete effectively in all four tournaments. He hopes to build on Postecoglou’s success by adding more trophies to Tottenham’s cabinet. “Hopefully we can add to that. Our number one goal is to be able to compete in each of those four tournaments,” he said.
For Frank, effective leadership will be just as much about tactical brilliance as it will about creating a cohesive, thriving team culture. He plans to involve key players like Son and Romero in captaincy duties during the friendly against Reading, signaling his intention to empower his squad.
Preparing for the Season Ahead
With the new season fast approaching, Frank’s short-term focus will be on getting his team ready for their opening day fixture at Reading. Armed with the strong underlying principles that should guide anyone’s philosophy, he hopes to build belief and togetherness in the group. His proactive approach includes not only tactical training but ensuring that players remain committed to their roles within the squad.
“My expectation is that all the players are here. They are training well, I have been very impressed. They are playing [on Saturday] and that is a good indicator that they will be at the club,” – Thomas Frank
Thomas Frank is taking on the new role as integral cog at Tottenham Hotspur. His fans and players alike are salivating in anticipation to see how his bigger picture vision will manifest itself on the pitch. His novel approach and dedication to an attacking ethos should indeed spell a new dawning age for Spurs.
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