Thomas Frank, the newly appointed head coach of Tottenham Hotspur, is steering clear of setting a definitive timeline for a Premier League title challenge. In his first press conference since taking over from sacked Europa League-winning boss Ange Postecoglou, Frank outlined his vision for the club, emphasizing a step-by-step approach to building a competitive team.
Frank's arrival marks a new chapter for Tottenham, who last clinched a major trophy with their Europa League success in May, ending a 17-year drought. Despite chairman Daniel Levy's stated "need" for the club to win the Premier League title, Frank is tempering expectations, acknowledging the current gap between Spurs and the league's top contenders.
The 51-year-old Dane, who previously managed Brentford, has signed a three-year contract with Tottenham. He inherits a team that finished a disappointing 17th in the Premier League last season, despite their Europa League triumph. Postecoglou's departure, despite ending the trophy drought, was attributed to the club's poor league performance, their worst since 1977.
Frank's initial focus is on establishing a team capable of competing on all fronts: the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup. He aims to create a squad that can challenge for silverware in every competition. "The first aim is to be able to compete in all four tournaments," Frank stated. He also noted that the last time Tottenham was able to compete in more than one competition was in 2019 when they reached the Champions League final.
Frank's philosophy, dubbed "Frankball," centers around aggressive and brave football, aligning with the club's motto, "To Dare Is To Do". He emphasizes the importance of getting to know his players personally and fostering a strong team spirit. When asked about the captaincy, Frank said he had not made any decisions yet. Heung-min Son and Cristian Romero will act as co-captains for the pre-season friendly against Reading.
Frank's track record at Brentford demonstrates his ability to build a successful team on a limited budget. He guided the Bees from the Championship to a consistent Premier League presence, earning a reputation for developing players and creating an attractive, attacking style of play.
Tottenham's director of football, Phil Giles, praised Frank's "wisdom, coaching ability, and emotional intelligence," highlighting his transformative impact at Brentford. Frank's appointment is seen as a move towards a more progressive and innovative approach, with a focus on player and squad development.
While Frank is not putting a specific timeframe on a title challenge, he acknowledges the ultimate ambition. "We need to be able to compete in Europe and the cups," he stated. "If you can compete, there is a chance you can be top". His first opportunity to add silverware to Tottenham's trophy cabinet will be in the Super Cup against Paris St-Germain.
