Thomas Frank's arrival at Tottenham Hotspur marks the beginning of a new era, one where the emphasis will be on calculated risks and a relentless pursuit of becoming "serial winners." Fresh off a stint at Brentford, where he transformed the club into a stable Premier League presence, Frank is now tasked with elevating Spurs to consistent trophy contention. He replaces Ange Postecoglou, who despite securing Europa League glory, was deemed not to have met the club's ambitions for sustained success.
In his initial statements, Frank paid tribute to Postecoglou, acknowledging the foundation laid by his predecessor and emphasizing the importance of building upon it. He recognized Postecoglou as a "legend" at Tottenham, a nod to the attractive football and improved performances seen during the Australian's tenure. However, Frank is clear about his own vision: to take that foundation and construct a team capable of challenging for silverware year after year.
Frank's approach seems to be a blend of pragmatism and adaptability. While he appreciates attacking football, he also values tactical flexibility, a trait that distinguishes him from Postecoglou. Where Postecoglou adhered to a bold, adventurous style, Frank is known to adjust his strategies based on the opponent, identifying and exploiting weaknesses while neutralizing strengths. This suggests that Spurs fans can expect a team that is not only exciting to watch but also tactically astute and capable of varying its approach as needed.
He is likely to employ a back four, his preferred formation, and will focus on creating width and delivering quality crosses into the box. This emphasis on crosses aligns perfectly with the skill set of players like Pedro Porro, who thrives on delivering accurate balls into dangerous areas. The new manager also appreciates a strong defensive structure, a balanced midfield, and strikers who can run the channels, hold the ball up, and consistently attack the box.
His tactical flexibility also extends to his midfield setups, he does not always opt for a rigid midfield, sometimes he goes for a six and two tens sometimes he goes for a double pivot and a 10. So it all depends on how he assesses his player profiles.
Frank's emphasis on calculated risks is evident in his desire to make Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a fortress. He understands the importance of a strong home record and aims to create an environment where visiting teams find it incredibly difficult to compete. This involves forging a strong connection between the team and the fans, creating a united front that can intimidate opponents and drive the team forward.
He also seems to have already assessed the Tottenham squad, identifying both senior players and promising youngsters with the potential to excel. While mentioning several players by name, the omission of captain Son Heung-min raised some questions, especially with the player entering the final year of his contract. Whether this was an oversight or a hint at potential changes remains to be seen.
Ultimately, Frank's success at Tottenham will depend on his ability to implement his tactical vision, foster a winning mentality within the squad, and build a strong connection with the fans. He is not afraid to take risks, but they will be calculated risks aimed at achieving one goal: transforming Tottenham Hotspur into a team that consistently competes for and wins trophies.
