Thomas Frank gives warning to his Tottenham players that Bissouma must accept

New Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has made his expectations crystal clear as he prepares to take charge of the North London club, with punctuality emerging as a fundamental requirement for every player in his squad.

The Danish tactician, who arrives after establishing Brentford as a Premier League mainstay, brings with him a set of non-negotiable principles that could spell trouble for those who fail to comply – as midfielder Yves Bissouma discovered under previous boss Ange Postecoglou.

During an appearance on the High Performance Podcast earlier this season, Frank outlined his three core values: “hard work,” “respect,” and crucially, “be on time.”

This final commandment proved problematic for Bissouma last campaign when the Malian international arrived late for training, prompting a stern response from Postecoglou that served as a wake-up call for the entire squad.

“I told him he could be a leader in this group,” Postecoglou revealed at the time. “The next morning he was late, and I made it clear – to be a leader means to be on time. Since then, he’s been good.”

The Australian manager emphasized his philosophy of eliminating excuses and creating an environment where players must take full responsibility for their actions.

Bissouma later explained the incident, admitting: “That day I had car trouble – a flat tyre and heavy traffic. But those aren’t excuses. Every player knows punctuality matters.”

The midfielder demonstrated maturity in handling the situation, apologizing to both manager and teammates while vowing to improve. “Now I’m always the first at training,” he added, showing how the lesson resonated.

As Frank takes the reins at a Champions League-bound Tottenham, his emphasis on discipline and professionalism couldn’t come at a more crucial time.

With Bissouma entering the final year of his contract amid ongoing speculation about his future, the 27-year-old must demonstrate unwavering commitment to Frank’s principles if he hopes to remain part of the project.

The new manager’s approach reflects a growing trend in modern football where marginal gains and attention to detail separate elite performers from the rest.

Frank’s successful tenure at Brentford proved the effectiveness of his methods, and Tottenham’s players would be wise to embrace these standards as they prepare for the heightened expectations of Champions League football.

For Bissouma in particular, this summer represents more than just contract negotiations – it’s an opportunity to prove he can be the model professional Frank demands.

As Tottenham embark on their new era, the message is clear: excellence begins with showing up on time, and anything less simply won’t be tolerated.