Thomas Frank and the Illusion of Success
For half a decade, Thomas Frank was revered by fans, pundits and his peers. He was viewed as the defining force behind Brentford’s rise to Premier League stability, credited with nurturing the development of stars such as Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo.
A look at the Bees’ league positions during his tenure supports that praise: 13th, 9th, 16th and 10th in the Premier League for a team that had languished in League Two barely a decade before the Dane’s arrival. Frank left his post having built a coherent side that was capable of competing in the top flight.
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Now, as Tottenham Hotspur manager, that reputation has taken a hit. An underwhelming win percentage of 36.67% has left Spurs supporters increasingly restless, with the relationship between coach and crowd souring by the week.
Across London, the contrast is striking. Frank’s former set-piece coach, Keith Andrews, has Brentford unexpectedly fighting for European qualification. Sitting fifth over halfway through the season, the Bees’ impressive form raises uncomfortable questions. Why was Frank never able to push Brentford beyond ninth place, and why do they now appear capable of doing so without him?
It must be acknowledged that Andrews is operating on foundations laid by his predecessor. Without Frank’s work in stabilising the club and embedding a strong culture, such progress would be unlikely. However, it is fair to question whether that stabilising influence represents Frank’s ceiling rather than a platform for further growth.
Despite overseeing a squad that included players who have since secured major moves and proven their quality at a higher level, Frank’s Brentford were often defined by reactivity. They were a team adept at adapting to opponents, but rarely one that imposed a clear identity of its own. Their style often mirrored whoever they faced that week.
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This approach has rarely delivered sustained success at the upper end of modern football. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool, the most successful teams of the last decade, are underpinned by a clearly defined philosophy that remains consistent regardless of opposition.
Andrews, having worked under Frank, has refined those principles. Brentford’s identity is now clear: direct, pacey and intentional. Igor Thiago’s 16 goals this season can attest to that, a sharp contrast to Tottenham’s often blunt use of their attacking resources.
The broader issue, then, is whether Thomas Frank can be a truly successful elite-level manager, and how that success should be defined. There is little doubt that Frank is a good manager, but the question is whether “good” is sufficient for a club with Tottenham’s expectations, resources and recent European success. In an era and at a club defined by daring, identity-driven coaches such as Ange Postecoglou, Frank’s strengths may also prove to be his limitations.
By: Calvin Burton
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Getty Images