Rekindle the Glory Game
During Ange Postecoglou’s initial period at Spurs, fans celebrated with chants of “We’ve got our Tottenham back.” The Australian left as a beloved figure after leading the team to a Europa League victory. However, in their recent match in Bilbao, the team’s performance fell short of the club’s historic “glory game,” instead focusing on survival. This was, nonetheless, a step up from the disappointing displays seen at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marked by 22 Premier League losses. Could Thomas Frank be the manager to restore Spurs to the legacy of Bill Nicholson or Keith Burkinshaw? With the right squad and favorable conditions, it’s feasible. Prior to their Premier League ascent, Frank’s Brentford showcased an appealing blend of passing and pressing. Upon reaching the top division, they adapted with a style that favored offense, even if it initially appeared unrefined. Frank embraces creative talents; his signing of Christian Eriksen in January 2022 was a brilliant move, and Mikkel Damsgaard’s unconventional running hides a top-tier playmaker. Last season, players like Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, and Kevin Schade each secured double-digit goal tallies in the Premier League, highlighting their fearless attacking approach.
Effective Leadership and Management
The foundation for success at Spurs hinges on chairman and minority shareholder, Daniel Levy. Postecoglou typically avoided any political maneuvering, concentrating on team results, even if that sometimes sparked discontent among fans regarding Levy. The likelihood of Levy stepping down appears low, especially with a restructured executive team. Donna Cullen, Levy’s long-serving deputy, has left, paving the way for Vinai Venkatesham to become the new chief executive, credited with Arsenal’s resurgence post-Wenger. Additionally, Scott Munn, another Australian, has exited his role as chief football officer. Spurs present a more corporate culture compared to Brentford’s family-like atmosphere, where Matthew Benham allows Frank to flourish as a charismatic leader. Frank values collaboration and has a positive rapport with Brentford’s esteemed director of football, Phil Giles, and he embraces analytics to optimize performance. Previous Spurs managers have struggled to get Levy to invest adequately, raising questions on whether the new leadership can transform Champions League revenues into a comprehensive rebuild.
Prepare for the Spotlight
Frank will need confidence and composure to navigate the pressures of his new role. While Postecoglou had a confident public demeanor, he often appeared reluctant to engage fully with media demands, revealing frustration in his responses. At times, he showed signs of losing conviction in his approach. In contrast, Frank exhibits a natural pragmatism and is a skilled communicator, showcasing grace even when addressing basic inquiries. While he can display assertiveness when necessary, his relentless competitive spirit was key to Brentford’s Premier League survival. This tenacity will be crucial for establishing sustained success at Tottenham, a quality that has been sorely lacking for some time.
Foster Squad Unity and Health
The ability to enhance player performance beyond expectations was vital for Brentford’s success. For instance, Keane Lewis-Potter’s conversion from forward to a fast, sought-after left-back/wing-back highlights this. Frank’s ability to motivate a larger Tottenham squad, filled with individuals who may feel they have less to prove, is now a key challenge. Balancing a Champions League schedule with limited training time may allow for more flexibility than last season’s unbalanced fixture list. With promising talents like teenagers Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, Frank will need to safeguard them against burnout. James Maddison, who showed flashes of brilliance under Postecoglou but was often inconsistent, might get some indulgence, though all players must commit fully. Brentford averaged 5,500 sprints last season compared to Spurs’ 6,250, yet the intensity and toll on players were not as damaging. Tottenham’s injury statistics show they finished third for injuries with 22, while Brentford ranked 14th with 12.
Improve Defensive Stability
Frank faced injury challenges last season, often lacking first-choice defenders, which led him to adopt an aggressive attacking approach. Brentford was known for scoring early, surprising opponents. Reforming Spurs’ defense has been a long-standing issue, and Postecoglou’s team notably struggled with set pieces—an area where Brentford excelled, renowned as a training ground for set-piece strategies. If Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero can maintain their fitness and stay at the club (with interest from Atlético Madrid), Frank would have a strong central defense, but the overall organization of the supporting players must see significant improvement.
