Frank also “pushing” Tottenham to make “statement” £51m signing, Spurs ready to move

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ushers in a fresh chapter as Thomas Frank officially takes the reins, tasked with building upon Ange Postecoglou’s Europa League triumph while addressing last season’s Premier League inconsistencies.

The Danish tactician’s £10 million move from Brentford represents both a calculated gamble and a statement of intent from Daniel Levy, who has entrusted the 51-year-old with revitalizing a squad that showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately suffered 22 league defeats last campaign.

Frank arrives with a reputation as one of English football’s most innovative coaches, having transformed Brentford from Championship hopefuls to established Premier League overachievers.

His data-driven approach and knack for player development align perfectly with Tottenham’s operational philosophy, though the step up in expectations presents uncharted territory for a manager unaccustomed to European nights or managing elite-level egos.

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The club’s official statement highlighted Frank’s “progressive and innovative” methods, emphasizing his ability to consistently outperform expectations.

This skillset will be immediately tested as Spurs prepare for their Champions League return, with Frank already identifying key targets to reshape his squad.

Chief among them is Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, with Tottenham reportedly attempting to hijack Manchester United’s long-standing interest in the Cameroonian forward.

The potential reunion makes strategic sense – Frank knows Mbeumo’s game intimately, having developed him into a 20-goal Premier League performer last season.

However, the pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White suggests a broader vision to inject creativity into Tottenham’s attacking third.

Gibbs-White’s potential acquisition presents particular intrigue. The 24-year-old playmaker flourished during Forest’s unlikely European push, contributing 7 goals and 10 assists across all competitions.

While initial reports mention a possible £51 million deal, Forest’s valuation could soar closer to £100 million given his contract situation and importance to Nuno Espírito Santo’s project.

Frank’s transfer strategy appears twofold: blend proven Premier League performers with the type of tactical flexibility that made his Brentford sides so unpredictable.

This approach acknowledges both the need for immediate Champions League competitiveness and long-term squad building – a balance Postecoglou struggled to maintain during last season’s grueling schedule.

The Dane’s backroom staff appointments will prove equally crucial. Having negotiated his preferred coaching team as part of the move, Frank aims to replicate the collaborative environment that fostered Brentford’s success.

His ability to elevate players like Mbeumo from promising talents to elite performers offers encouragement for Tottenham’s existing core, particularly Maddison and Kulusevski who showed glimpses of their best form last term.

As pre-season preparations loom, several questions linger. Can Frank transition from managing underdogs to handling a club with Tottenham’s expectations? Will Levy provide the necessary funds to compete with rivals strengthening around them?

And how quickly can the new manager implement his high-pressing, positionally fluid style with a squad still bearing Postecoglou’s imprint?

One thing is certain: Tottenham’s hierarchy have placed their faith in a coach whose Brentford blueprint represents everything they aspire to – sustainable growth, smart recruitment, and a clear playing identity.

With Champions League football returning to North London, Frank’s first transfer window could define whether this appointment becomes inspired or ill-fated.

The pursuit of Mbeumo, Eze and Gibbs-White suggests he’s not here to merely participate, but to build a side capable of shocking Europe’s elite – just as he repeatedly did with Brentford on a smaller scale.