Thomas Frank’s first Spurs signing ‘confirmed’ just days after he was appointed as Tottenham head coach
Thomas Frank has wasted no time stamping his authority on Tottenham Hotspur, with reports confirming that the Danish coach has sealed his first signing since taking over the reins in North London. The 51-year-old, who was officially appointed as Spurs’ new head coach on Thursday following a transformative seven-year tenure at Brentford, has already begun shaping the squad in his image ahead of what promises to be a crucial season for the club.
In a statement announcing Frank’s arrival, Tottenham described their new manager in glowing terms, highlighting his innovative approach and success in developing talent:
“In Thomas, we are appointing one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game. He has a proven track record in player and squad development, and we look forward to him leading the team as we prepare for the season ahead.”
Joining Frank at Spurs are several familiar faces from Brentford’s backroom staff, underlining the club’s commitment to continuity and collaboration. His trusted lieutenants Justin Cochrane (First Team Assistant Coach), Chris Haslam (Head of Performance and First Team Assistant Coach), and Joe Newton (First Team Coach Analyst) will all make the move to North London. In addition, Andreas Georgson will come in as another First Team Assistant Coach after a stint with Manchester United.
As Frank begins assembling a squad tailored to his dynamic style, Tottenham’s transfer activity has quickly shifted into high gear. While the club has been linked with a reunion between Frank and Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, who has also attracted interest from Manchester United, it is another young talent who has stolen the headlines.
According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham have struck a deal with Bayern Munich to sign Mathys Tel on a permanent basis. Romano wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“Mathys Tel will leave Bayern and join Spurs on a permanent deal, agreement set to be reached. €35m fee in addition to €10m loan fee, as BILD reported. Tel, set to stay at Tottenham also under new head coach Thomas Frank.”
The 20-year-old French forward is no stranger to Tottenham supporters. He spent the second half of the 2024/25 campaign on loan at the club and made a strong impression during his stint, featuring in 20 matches across all competitions. Though he didn’t get on the pitch during Spurs’ memorable Europa League final in Bilbao, his presence in the squad reflected his growing role within the team.
Tel is currently on international duty with the France Under-21 team at the European Championship in Slovakia, but his future appears firmly tied to Tottenham. His initial loan move from Bayern came with high expectations, and although he wasn’t a consistent starter, his energy, movement, and potential earned praise from both fans and coaching staff.
Former manager Ange Postecoglou, who oversaw Tel’s development during his short spell in charge, spoke highly of the youngster in April, suggesting he was brought in with long-term intentions.
“I didn’t actually bring him here just for six months,” Postecoglou said. “I think he’s very, very exciting. When you meet him, you realise that he has that certain something. He has enormous confidence in what he wants to do.”
He added: “Although he is still young, he can physically handle the Premier League. He’s a goal scorer, he can hold his own, he’s got the necessary speed. He will play an important role in our end-of-season push and beyond.”
Tel clearly embraced life in North London, forming bonds with the players, staff, and supporters. Following Spurs’ Europa League victory, he delivered an emotional post-match interview on the club’s official website, revealing just how much the club had come to mean to him.
“This story was incredible for the club, the fans… I’m very happy,” Tel said. “We did it and we deserve it. I’m playing football and playing to win trophies, so I believe in this team, this club and that’s why we did it. This is a big family with the fans, with everyone. It’s not just a club. It’s everything for us. We have to keep going and win again.”
With Thomas Frank now at the helm and Tel committed to Spurs on a permanent basis, Tottenham fans will be hopeful that this early move signals the beginning of a bold new era. The club is looking to build on the momentum of their Europa League triumph, and under Frank’s meticulous guidance, Tel may very well become a central figure in Tottenham’s quest for greater success.