Thomas Frank held talks with Manchester United and Chelsea before taking on the Tottenham job in the summer
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has enjoyed a strong start to the new season following his high-profile move from Brentford in the summer. The Danish tactician guided the Bees to promotion in 2021 and later established them as a stable mid-table Premier League side. He turned the West London club into a disciplined and resilient team, especially at the Gtech Stadium, where they were always difficult to beat.
After observing Frank’s work at Brentford, it is fair to say he earned the opportunity to step up to a bigger club. The Lilywhites had been searching for a new manager during the summer after parting ways with Ange Postecoglou once the season concluded. Although the Australian led the North Londoners to Europa League triumph, the achievement was not enough to keep him in the job at N17.
Frank was among several candidates Spurs interviewed as they sought someone capable of building on their European success. Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Fulham’s Marco Silva were also assessed, both considered high-quality managers with strong Premier League credentials. In hindsight, appointing Frank proved to be the right decision.
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank questioned for failed interviews at other PL clubs
Earlier this week, Frank revealed in an interview that he had been approached by both Manchester United and Chelsea on the same day in May 2024. He ultimately remained with Brentford, but said the experience taught him a great deal and felt proud to have reached that stage in his career.
However, Simon Jordan has taken a different stance and criticised Frank for publicly sharing that story. Speaking on talkSPORT, Jordan said,
“I bet he thought he was good enough for those jobs. I bet he thought he should be in the conversation for those jobs. And if he wasn’t in the conversation for those jobs, he’d would have been morally offended.”
The pundit added,
“So, the fact that he’s done a good job at Brentford and we’re seeing a side of Thomas Frank that’s very relatable, very human, and very authentic in people’s minds and all the things you would like to think that managers represent and don’t. So the fact that he didn’t get two interviews tells you that he sucks at interview levels and spends more time writing a book than doing interviews.”
Jordan believes Frank would have been offended when he learned that both Manchester United and Chelsea chose different directions despite interviewing him. He also questioned the Dane’s personality, suggesting that Frank is not as relatable or authentic as he claims to be, and therefore did not impress during those interviews.
Jordan’s comments appear harsh, especially considering that Frank has consistently represented himself well while managing Tottenham. The Dane has repeatedly taken the time to apologise to match-going supporters after disappointing performances, showing gratitude and a genuine connection with the fan base.
Frank and Spurs can now shift their attention to more pressing matters as they prepare for a difficult test against league leaders Arsenal. The North London derby arrives at a crucial moment for the Lilywhites, who now have an opportunity to significantly damage their rivals’ title hopes. A win over the Gunners could also transform their season and establish Frank’s side as serious contenders for European qualification.