Dane to Replace Ange Postecoglou, Bringing Experience and Data-Driven Approach

Tottenham has announced the appointment of Brentford boss Thomas Frank as their new head coach on a deal until 2028. The 51-year-old Dane takes over from Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked earlier this month despite leading the team to victory in the Europa League final in May.

Frank brings a wealth of experience to the role, having spent seven years in charge of Brentford. During his tenure, he guided the club from the Championship to the Premier League in 2021 and established them as a competitive top-flight team. His side’s record under Frank includes 13th, ninth, 16th, and 10th-place finishes, with a tally of 66 goals in the Premier League last season, the joint fifth best in the division.

Frank’s appointment marks the fourth permanent manager since June 2021, and he will be joined at Tottenham by Justin Cochrane, who will be his assistant coach. Chris Haslam, head of performance, and first-team analyst Joe Newton will also join Frank from Brentford, while Andreas Georgson, an assistant coach, arrives from Manchester United.

Brentford’s director of football, Phil Giles, praised Frank’s impact on the club, saying: “He understood what we were trying to build and his wisdom, coaching ability, and emotional intelligence have helped transform the club. He forged a special connection with our fans, helped develop and improve players, and was instrumental in implementing the culture that has seen Brentford go from strength to strength.”

Under Frank, Brentford’s style of play will likely change. He is known for his use of data in the game and has previously stated that he is not a lover of shots from outside the box. Last season, 23% of Brentford’s efforts came from outside the area, compared to 28% for Spurs. Frank may also bring a more picky approach in wide areas, as his side attempted 675 crosses last season, while Spurs delivered 752.

One area where Frank’s side excelled was in competing in the air, with 1,210 aerial duels last season, the highest figure in the league and dwarfing Tottenham’s 872. Frank’s side also fouled far less than Spurs across the past two seasons, with only Manchester City committing fewer fouls than Brentford last season.

The appointment of Frank has sparked excitement among Tottenham fans, who are hoping for a change in fortunes after a disappointing season. With Frank’s data-driven approach and experience in the Premier League, there is a sense that Tottenham are taking a step in the right direction.

However, Frank’s style of play may not be to everyone’s liking. He has been known to prioritize possession football and has been criticized for being too defensive at times. But with the right players and a solid team ethos, Frank could be the catalyst for a successful season at Tottenham.

In a statement, Frank said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Tottenham and I’m looking forward to working with the players and staff to achieve great things. We’ll be working hard to build a strong team culture and to develop a style of play that will excite the fans.”

The question now is whether Frank can deliver on his promises and bring success to Tottenham. With his experience and data-driven approach, there is a sense that he has the potential to be a top-class manager. But only time will tell if he can make the grade at Tottenham.