Why Thomas Frank Isn’t the Ideal Successor to Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham

Should the latest reports be believed, Tottenham Hotspur may soon appoint Thomas Frank, the manager of Brentford, as the successor to the recently dismissed head coach, Ange Postecoglou.

Despite leading Spurs to their first trophy in 17 years, the Australian’s tenure ended abruptly when chairman Daniel Levy instructed him to clear his desk, a decision that has left defender Micky van de Ven puzzled.

Baffling decision to part ways with Ange

“I believe many of the players had a good rapport with him (Postecoglou), and he is the first coach to have achieved success for Spurs in quite some time,” van de Ven remarked to the press following a recent match for the Netherlands.

“That indicates he possesses a certain quality and a winning mentality, without a doubt. Given that, it seems odd that he was let go.”

It truly is peculiar.

The Dutchman’s injury, along with those of several teammates, certainly played a role in Tottenham’s rocky 2024/25 season, where they managed a dismal win percentage of just 35.6% across all competitions.

If Levy cannot acknowledge the mitigating factors from last season and dismisses them as mere excuses, it says more about the chairman’s judgment than that of his former manager.

Postecoglou brought a distinct identity to Spurs

Stripping the best players from any side will yield similar results, yet at least Postecoglou can depart with pride. His Europa League victory is a lasting achievement for both himself and his squad.

With 37 wins and 37 losses in his 86 matches at the helm, these statistics were undoubtedly pivotal in Levy’s decision-making process. The 139 goals conceded likely weighed heavily, too.

Regardless, Postecoglou restored a recognisable style of play to the blue and white half of north London.

Meanwhile, Frank has undoubtedly made his mark at Brentford, with his team consistently outperforming expectations.

Despite operating on one of the more modest budgets in the Premier League and losing top player Ivan Toney recently, the Dane continues to extract the best from his Bees.

However, Brentford has never finished higher than ninth in their four seasons in the top flight (2024/25 – 10th, 2023/24 – 16th, 2022/23 – 9th, and 2021/22 – 13th), raising doubts about whether he is indeed the right choice to succeed Postecoglou.

Brentford’s performance has been underwhelming

In the same two-season stretch as the former Spurs manager, Frank also encountered 37 defeats, winning only 28 matches.

Brentford conceded 134 goals, just five fewer than Spurs, while scoring 132 over the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons — a striking 21 fewer than the 153 goals netted by Postecoglou’s side.

Although Frank’s win percentage for 2024/25 was 41.9%, better than Postecoglou’s, his previous season saw a mere 23.8% win rate, compared to Spurs’ 51.2%.

With all due respect to Frank, Brentford, and Brøndby, he has yet to manage in the Champions League or at a club of a larger stature.

He presents himself well in interviews, demonstrating an ability to manage strong personalities, but is he genuinely more qualified than the recent managers who have come and gone at Tottenham under Levy’s stewardship?

Another concern surrounds which coaching staff he would bring along with him.

There are reports that Justin Cochrane’s name has emerged in discussions regarding the position. Currently involved with Thomas Tuchel’s staff for England, this potential appointment is hardly enticing, especially following recent lacklustre performances against Andorra and Senegal.

Frank claims life is “easy” at Brentford

In a recent interview, Frank mentioned, “A part of me thinks that one day I may need to try something different. Is that a bigger club, Champions League, different challenge? I don’t know.”

He also elaborated on his love for socialising and the enjoyment he derives from his outside activities, revealing that establishing processes and methodologies at Brentford has been relatively “easy” compared to starting afresh elsewhere.

When weighing the two options back then, it was clear that he was contemplating his future, but with the opportunity at Tottenham now on the table, it seems he has chosen the moment to make his move.

Aspiring to achieve success is commendable, but if Postecoglou’s 23 home victories and 14 away wins weren’t sufficient, Frank’s 15 home wins and 13 away wins during a similar period are unlikely to reassure the Spurs’ faithful.

Déjà vu in two years’ time?

As has been the case with many before him, the Dane will need to hit the ground running to win over the home crowd, especially given the recent European success.

He need only look at Postecoglou’s experience over two years to understand how rapidly support can wane. The Australian initially enjoyed enthusiastic backing as the team played attractive football, only for injuries and poor performances to change the atmosphere, prompting swift criticism from fans.

This backlash from supporters is exactly what Frank must avoid; otherwise, both Levy and Tottenham could once more find themselves in search of a new manager in just 24 months.