Thomas Frank responds to Tottenham approach after Ange Postecoglou sacking
Brentford manager Thomas Frank has emerged as a strong contender to take over the reins at Tottenham Hotspur, following the club’s dramatic decision to part ways with Ange Postecoglou. According to multiple reports, including The Telegraph, Frank is not only on Spurs’ radar — he is reportedly the frontrunner to fill the vacancy and has expressed interest in stepping into the role.
Tottenham officially confirmed Postecoglou’s departure on Friday evening, issuing a statement that described the decision as one of the most difficult the club has ever made. Despite the 59-year-old leading Spurs to a historic triumph in the Europa League just last month, the club’s hierarchy ultimately determined that a managerial change was necessary. The statement highlighted that emotional attachment to the European success could not outweigh the team’s dismal domestic performance.
Postecoglou had guided Tottenham to their first piece of silverware in 17 years with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final, held in Bilbao. It was a moment of jubilation for Spurs fans, who had waited nearly two decades to see their team lift a major trophy. However, that moment of glory proved insufficient to mask the club’s alarming collapse in the Premier League.
In a campaign marked by inconsistency and underachievement, Tottenham slumped to a 17th-place finish, losing 22 matches and narrowly avoiding relegation. The club’s board, while acknowledging Postecoglou’s contributions and thanking him for his dedication over two seasons, felt that a fresh start was essential. The statement made clear that, although there were mitigating factors — including injuries and a strategic decision to prioritize the European campaign — the results in the Premier League could not be ignored.
As Tottenham prepare for the upcoming pre-season, the search for a new manager has quickly become a top priority. Discussions have already begun, and the club is reportedly in direct contact with Thomas Frank. The Danish coach has impressed during his tenure at Brentford, where he has helped establish the West London side as a competitive Premier League outfit with a strong tactical identity and a resilient mentality.
Frank is said to maintain a strong relationship with Spurs’ current sporting director, Johan Lange, with whom he previously worked at Danish side Lyngby. This existing connection could smooth negotiations and make the transition easier, should Spurs decide to appoint him.
Meanwhile, Postecoglou is not expected to be out of work for long. Reports suggest that he has already attracted interest from several clubs across Europe and beyond. The Australian coach, who earned a £2 million bonus for winning the Europa League and received a £4 million severance package upon his exit, is still highly regarded for his tactical vision and leadership qualities.
Adding intrigue to the managerial search, Portuguese outlet Record reported late Friday that Fulham boss Marco Silva is also in advanced talks with Tottenham and may be “very close” to reaching an agreement. Silva has earned praise for the way he has transformed Fulham into a stable Premier League side with a clear attacking philosophy.
Tottenham’s official statement reflected the emotional difficulty of the decision to dismiss Postecoglou:
“We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the Club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw.”
Nevertheless, the club made it clear that a change was needed to ensure future competitiveness:
“Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League season, we recorded just 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst-ever Premier League finish last season. While winning the Europa League ranks as one of the Club’s greatest achievements, we cannot let emotions guide our long-term planning.”
The statement continued by underlining the club’s ambition to compete consistently on multiple fronts — domestic and continental — and suggested that a new approach would offer the best platform for future success:
“This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make… but we believe it is the right one to give us the best chance of success going forward.”
Tottenham also took time to recognize Postecoglou’s contributions in developing the club’s young squad and laying the foundation for the future:
“We have a talented, young squad and Ange has given us a great platform to build upon. We wish him well for the future — he will always be welcome back at our home.”
As the club shifts its focus to the next chapter, all eyes will be on Daniel Levy and the Spurs board as they weigh their options. Whether it’s Thomas Frank, Marco Silva, or another surprise candidate, the pressure is on to ensure that Tottenham’s next managerial appointment restores consistency and reignites their Premier League ambitions.