Who is Thomas Frank? How can his tactics transform Tottenham Hotspur?

Okay, football lovers, get ready for a new wave of change to hit North London. The whispers on everyone’s lips are that Danish mastermind Thomas Frank, the heartbeat of Brentford’s remarkable success, is set to become Tottenham Hotspur‘s new boss. Yes, you’re absolutely right—Frank is to leave Brentford, where he spent almost seven years, to become Spurs’ new head coach after Ange Postecoglou’s exit.

As of 9 June 2025, the 51-year-old Danish Brentford head coach Thomas Frank is set to join Tottenham Hotspur as the new manager. Now, this is not just a tidy managerial transition; it’s a potential game-changer for Tottenham, a club that has been seeking stability and identity since the Mauricio Pochettino golden era. But first, let’s find out who Thomas Frank is, what he can offer, and how his approach can change Tottenham’s fate.

Thomas Frank is football legend material. He started his managerial career with Denmark’s youngsters, then took the Brentford vacancy in 2018 with the Bees as a Championship club full of promise but limited resources. Now he is the brains behind a team which not only spends its way into the Premier League but continues to exceed expectations.

Sources at The Athletic state Tottenham have made contact with Brentford with an eye on agreeing a deal in 48 hours, with compensation discussions focusing on a £10 million sum. Brentford’s response, according to Sky Sports, has been realistic; they will hear bids but are expecting a genuine offer considering Frank’s release clause and not wanting him to be sold cheaply. This reflects Brentford’s stability and forward-thinking approach, potentially eyeing replacements like Francesco Farioli, as per TeamTalk.

For Spurs supporters, the news is one of hope and guarded optimism. Frank is not a name which jumps out like Klopp or Guardiola, but his application, tactical awareness, and promotion of youth make him an interesting candidate to calm the waters at Tottenham.

Thomas Frank’s Style of Play and Tactics: Pragmatic Yet Progressive

The Core Principles

If you’ve ever watched Brentford play under Frank, you’ll notice a few things immediately: the team is well-drilled, disciplined, and always ready to spring forward with pace. Frank’s style can be described as a blend of pragmatism and flexibility. While he’s often associated with a 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 formation, his real strength lies in adapting mid-game. At Brentford, he’d alternate between a back three and a back four based on the opponent, at times within the same game.

Against teams that favored possession, such as Manchester City, he’d use a low block and counter through Bryan Mbeumo’s speed. While playing against lesser opposition, he’d advance full-backs like Rico Henry to overload the width. One signature is his set-piece expertise. Brentford gained 20+ dead-ball goals in each of their initial two Premier League seasons, capitalizing on procedures crafted by set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva. Frank’s emphasis on marginal returns in this area turned Brentford into “set-piece merchants,” as he proudly puts it.

• The Defensive Spine: One of Frank’s signatures is a robust defensive framework. His teams tend to line up with a back three or four, based on the game plan. Defensively, Brentford, with Frank have been tight and disciplined, Frank’s sides press judiciously. They don’t go complete Gegenpress but rather push opponents out wide before then launching a coordinated press. This “mid-block” tactic preserves energy—a requirement for a team that doesn’t have a lot of depth. Not often providing opponents an easy passage into their goal. This discipline is vital, particularly for teams with smaller budgets that can’t always rely on showy lineups.
• The Art of Transition: Frank’s Brentford team is a masterclass in rapid transitions. Rather than patient, slow build-up play, Frank likes to catch sides on the counter-attack. That involves gaining possession back in midfield or defense and going forward straight away, usually with long passes to a target striker such as Ivan Toney, who can hold the ball up and draw opponents into the game. It’s simple, effective, and tailor-made to the players he has at his disposal.
• Set-Piece Specialists: Perhaps the least appreciated of Frank’s methods is his fixation on set-pieces. Brentford has scored an astonishing number of goals off corners and free-kicks, courtesy of carefully engineered procedures. Such attention to detail is a reflection of Frank’s desire to take advantage of every available marginal gain, something that would benefit Tottenham, given the team’s poor record in this matter over the past few seasons.
• Tactical Flexibility: Frank is never shy to change his approach in the middle of the game. He may begin with a 3-4-3 and then change to a 4-3-3 or even a 4-2-3-1 based on how the game is going. This adaptability makes his opponents uncertain and enables his side to cope with various problems. He recently added inverted full-backs, a new-age tactical innovation whereby wing-backs drop back into midfield to produce overloads, making his system more complicated.
• Recent Evolution: Frank has tried inverted full-backs more recently, a trend innovated by Pep Guardiola. New recruit Sepp van den Berg (a £25 million signing from Liverpool) tends to tuck into midfield, creating overloads and opening up space for wingers. This adjustment introduces a contemporary possession-oriented dimension to Frank’s otherwise direct approach.

Trophies and Achievements as a Manager

Frank’s crowning glory remains the 2021 Championship play-off final victory over Swansea, which ended Brentford’s 74-year top-flight exile. Since then, he’s kept the Bees competitive in the Premier League despite one of the league’s smallest budgets, peaking with a ninth-place finish in 2022–23. His ability to develop players, like turning Toney from a League One striker into an England international, underscores his coaching pedigree. Below is a table summarizing his trophies and achievements:

Club/Team	Achievements	Year
Denmark U17	U-17 Syrenka Cup	2010
Denmark U17	European U17 Championship semi-finals	2011
Brentford	Championship Play-Off Winners	2020/21
Brentford	Promotion to Premier League	2020/21
Individual	DBU Coach of the Year	2020, 2022
Individual	London Football Awards Manager of the Year	2020
Individual	EFL Championship Manager of the Month	June 2020, December 2020

Is Thomas Frank the Right Fit for Tottenham Hotspur?

Tottenham’s situation is messy. Postecoglou’s high-octane style initially thrilled fans, but defensive frailties and a lack of Plan B led to his downfall. Enter Frank, whose pragmatism could stabilize Spurs—but will his methods translate to a bigger club?

Tactical Compatibility

Spurs’ squad has pieces that suit Frank’s system:

• Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are ideal for a back three.
• James Maddison could thrive as a roaming #10 in Frank’s 3-4-2-1.
• Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski have the work rate to execute Frank’s pressing triggers.

However, questions linger:

• Harry Kane’s successor? Frank relied heavily on Toney’s hold-up play. Spurs lack a like-for-like replacement unless they sign Ivan Toney himself.
• Midfield balance. Frank’s double pivot requires disciplined defensive midfielders. Yves Bissouma fits, but Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s lack of mobility could be an issue.

External Factors

• Fan expectations: Spurs fans demand attractive football. Frank’s hybrid style is more functional than flamboyant, which could cause friction.
• Transfer budget: Frank excelled at Brentford by maximizing undervalued talent. At Spurs, he’ll need to handle big-money signings—a new challenge.

Despite these hurdles, Frank’s track record of overachieving makes him a logical choice. His appointment would signal a shift toward stability over spectacle, a trade-off Spurs might need after years of false dawns.

Also Read: Who Is Luciano Spalletti? Breaking Down His Tactical Philosophy

How Could Tottenham Hotspur Line Up Under Thomas Frank?

Frank might opt for a back three instead of a back four, as seen in his recent tactics (in Brentford), with Romero, Van de Ven, and Radu Dragusin or a new signing, and wing-backs like Porro and Udogie. Transfers targeting attacking players could include Brentford players like Yoane Wissa, who scored 19 Premier League goals last term, as per Spurs Web, and Bryan Mbeumo, as noted in football365. His in-game management, known for timely adjustments, could be crucial for Tottenham, as per Medium. Based on Frank’s preferred systems, here’s how Spurs might shape up:

Formation: 3-4-2-1

• GK: Guglielmo Vicario
• CBs: Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, new signing (e.g., Marc Guéhi)
• Wing-backs: Destiny Udogie (left), Pedro Porro (right)
• CMs: Yves Bissouma (defensive), James Maddison (playmaker)
• AMs: Dejan Kulusevski (right), Son Heung-min (left)
• ST: Ivan Toney (if signed) / Richarlison / Solanke

Key Changes

• Inverted full-backs: Udogie could drift inside, mimicking Van den Berg’s role at Brentford.
• Set-piece focus: Romero and Van de Ven would be primary targets on corners.
• Counterattacks: Son and Kulusevski’s pace would be weaponized in transitions.

Areas Needing Reinforcement: A physical striker (Toney or Viktor Gyökeres).A left-footed center-back to balance the back three.Depth at wing-back to manage fixture congestion.

Final thoughts

Thomas Frank’s arrival at Tottenham Hotspur may prove to be the reset the team so desperately requires. He’s a manager with the ability to construct teams on the pitch, get the best out of minimal resources, and discipline without suffocating creativity. Big jump from Brentford to Spurs, yes, but Frank’s pragmatic but forward-thinking mentality may just be the antidote to a side that so desperately needs stability and an identity.

If Spurs supporters desire a manager who will instill structure, tactical acumen, and a definite game plan into the team, Thomas Frank may be the individual to guide them back to success. The next installment in Tottenham’s history is set to be written—and it might just have a Danish flavour.