Stefan Borson: Tottenham agree ‘£10m’ deal as new arrival heads in
Tottenham Hotspur are poised to shell out as much as £10 million following a major managerial overhaul that sees Thomas Frank officially named as the club’s new head coach. The north London side confirmed on Thursday, 12 June, that Frank has signed a three-year contract, marking a new chapter for the club after the sudden departure of Ange Postecoglou.
Frank, who rose to prominence during a successful stint at Brentford, has long been admired by Spurs’ hierarchy. The 51-year-old Dane took the reins at Brentford in 2018 and led them to Premier League promotion in 2021. Since then, he has solidified their position in the top flight with a combination of tactical discipline and attacking flair. His appointment ends a brief period of uncertainty following Tottenham’s surprising decision to part ways with Postecoglou last week.
Financial Breakdown of the Managerial Change
While the managerial transition is a bold move, it comes with a significant financial cost. Football finance expert Stefan Borson, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, revealed that the overall compensation package involved in the change will be partially offset by Tottenham’s recent on-field success and Champions League qualification.
According to Borson, Spurs have agreed to pay Brentford approximately £10 million to release Frank from his contract. He explained that this figure is likely predetermined by contractual clauses, meaning Tottenham had little room for negotiation. “This is just the cost of doing business in modern football,” Borson said. “£10 million has become something of a standard figure for managerial compensation, similar to what Leicester received for Enzo Maresca and what Brighton got for Graham Potter.”
In addition to the payment to Brentford, Tottenham will also have to pay out £5 million to Postecoglou after terminating his contract two years ahead of schedule. The former Celtic boss, however, walks away with a £2 million bonus after guiding the club to Europa League glory last month—Tottenham’s first major trophy in 17 years.
Champions League Revenue to Ease Financial Burden
Despite these costs, Borson insists that Tottenham’s recent sporting achievements will help cushion the financial blow. The club’s qualification for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League brings with it a significant influx of prize money. Combined with their Europa League winnings and the guaranteed revenue from their upcoming UEFA Super Cup appearance, Spurs are in a strong position to absorb the costs of their managerial switch.
“It’s all part of a calculated risk,” Borson added. “Tottenham knew the financial commitments involved, but they also knew that with Champions League football and the prestige of recent silverware, the investment would be manageable. The timing wasn’t ideal, but the reward outweighed the risk.”
Uncertainty Around Son Heung-min’s Future
While the managerial situation may now be settled, uncertainty continues to loom over the future of Tottenham’s long-serving talisman, Son Heung-min. Football Insider reported on 10 June that the club could be prepared to accept a “very lucrative” offer for the 32-year-old forward, with multiple clubs from the Saudi Pro League reportedly interested in securing his services this summer.
Sources close to the club have suggested that the decision over Son’s future might bypass new manager Thomas Frank entirely. If a substantial offer materializes, Tottenham’s board may take matters into their own hands and green-light the sale, prioritizing the financial upside over on-pitch continuity.
Son remains one of Spurs’ most iconic and commercially valuable players, but with his contract winding down and age becoming a factor, the club may view this summer as the last opportunity to command a significant fee for the South Korean star.
A New Era Begins
With a new manager at the helm and potential changes looming in the squad, Tottenham Hotspur appear set for a transformative summer. The board’s willingness to invest in Thomas Frank signals a commitment to building a long-term project, even if it comes at a hefty price. As pre-season approaches, all eyes will be on how Frank shapes his squad — and whether Son Heung-min remains part of it.