Thomas Frank on taking Tottenham to the next level: Men in Blazers 07/28/25

0:00You're listening to the Men in Blazers media network, Suboptimal Radio. Football is the most random game in the world. We all know that. There's so many factors that influence the game, but it's about go all in with the ideas I have, believe in them. So far, touch wood, been part of the success, no matter where I've been, at a good level. And then if you have that little bit of margins with you, magic can happen.

0:28My guest today is one of the most creative minds in management. A gent who finished seven seasons turning tiny Brentford into a ferocious collective, then faced up to challenges new, becoming head coach at Tottenham Hotspur, bringing his obsessive data, detail and humanity, declaring a life truth. If you don't take risk, you also take a risk. It's an incredible joy to welcome back new Tottenham Hotspur head coach. It's Mr. Thomas Frank. Hello, Roger. How are you? I'm so happy to see you. Congratulations on the move, Thomas. Not just from a smaller club to a globally followed club, but a leap from stability into the unknown.

1:11On your first day, what was the detail that you noticed that captured the difference in scope and scale between Brentford and Tottenham? The biggest detail that, oh, not a detail, is that of course when you come into this training ground, it's one of the best training grounds in the world. It's fantastic in so many ways. So that was a big change compared to where I was in Brentford. Very impressive, very happy about that. The facilities is one thing, very important, but it's the people that make the difference. So the other thing that was not at different because I also found out that there's a lot of good people here at Spurs and I think that's very important.

1:48Serious question Thomas What is the trick to remembering Every single new staff person's name? If you know Can you tell me please? Because it's impossible I make so many mistakes I still try to say John knows Josh So I think I just try to Be open about it And ask about the name again Or of course Then I go to some of the other staff members What is her name? And then I go over to say hello to them And say hi Danny Or whatever it is To teach my name I'll learn myself the names. Let's give everyone the thumbs up for the first six months. But before you took the job, you are a self-described man of detail.

2:27We've talked before about how you had the spoons moved across the room in the team cafeteria at Brentford because you thought they were in the wrong place. When you looked at Tottenham game film from last season, when you analysed it, what did you see? And what did you think, this is what I need to change in terms of the style of play? First and foremost, I think it's important to say that Anjan and his staff have achieved massively by winning the Europa League title. Fantastic. First time in 41 years, a European title. I love that. I thought it was a lot of good things that I can use and I can stand on that foundation and then build from there.

3:01What I like to add is probably a bit more balance, in my view, attacking, defending. And then, of course, I think if you want to achieve something big, we need to be good in all phases of the game. Spurs fans are intrigued by the long throw auditions that you held. and your Brentford had a black belt in long throws. In your own words, can you describe the beauty of the long throw? Because they're back. Yeah, I think I try to look into every single detail that can improve the team or make the chances of winning bigger. Set pieces is one of them. There's a lot of different set pieces we can try to improve on.

3:38Long throw is one of them. I think long throw is a good weapon. I don't think it's a weapon we necessarily use every game. but I like to have it in the toolbox as like high pressure in different ways or low pressure in different ways or tweaking the team. And I'm fascinated. What makes you think that you are the man to succeed in this situation? Is it your tactical acumen? Your communication skills? Your man management? Essentially, why will Thomas Frank succeed at Tottenham Hotspur in your mind? I think all three areas, of course. I think it's not only about me. There's a lot of people that need to go in the same direction.

4:13We need to be aligned. Me, coaching staff, staff members, players, board, all that, we need to be aligned. And then we need to be consistent in that alignment and disciplined to try to do it every single day. But I believe in communicating hopefully clear and direct. Believe in having consistent messages day in, day out because it's so easy to drift. So we need to stay on track and then, of course, put the hard work in. You're a man who always chooses his words incredibly carefully. And this last Spurs season, you've hinted at it already, it was the best of times, the worst of times. The team won that coveted silverware, they've qualified for the Champions League, and they also finished 17th.

4:55So what was your opening message, your theme, that you told the players? And is it different to the ones you used at Brentford, Thomas, to shape the mentality, the culture, the heartbeat of that team? I think there's a basic foundation in any team, no matter if you're in Brentford or Tottenham, you are in Real Madrid or in PSG. The basic foundation is that there needs to be a culture. And I think the stronger that culture is in the club, but also in the team among the players, the stronger that is, the bigger chance you have to win. Then there is the foundation of hard work, because if you want to achieve anything, you need to work hard.

5:31and you definitely need to work hard in November, December, January, February, March where it's a little bit dark and cold and tough and not nice. That's what you need to install in them and I think that's the biggest foundation you need to install. Then of course is style of play and how you want to play and all that. So I think that's the bit we need to nail.

5:56You open your first Tottenham season against Paris Saint-Germain. You then faced Burnley, Manchester City and Bournemouth. When you were appointed Brentford manager back in 2018, you lost eight of your first 10 games. You joked then you lost them on purpose to make sure the owner and the board really, really trusted you. But it took a while for your ideas to stick. Once they did, we know great things occurred. How long do you believe it will take for your ideas to bed in at Tottenham? Hopefully a little bit quicker. It'll be nice not to test the surrounding in the same way. football is the most random game in the world we all know that there's so many factors that influence the game but it's about go all in with the ideas I have believe in them constantly develop them adjust them correct them feed the messages into the players and stay on track and then that will hopefully over time give success that's so far touch wood been part of the success no matter where I've been at a good level and then if you have that little bit of margins and switch, your magic can happen because you can do all the right thing and then you just miss that little bit, whereas inside of the post, five games in a row and then he's maybe out.

7:08Last season, Son Hung Min won his first trophy with Spurs in his decade at the club. I mean, he's a blistering, buoyant, ebullient figure. He's just turned 33. He's got a year left on his contract. This upcoming season, what do you see as Son's role? I think first and foremost, as you say, Song's legacy here is remarkable. Fantastic player, been a fantastic player for Tottenham. He is a fantastic player for Tottenham. I see a player that can play a very good role here next season. So he's come in, very good mindset, trained very hard, very well, pushed the players. So I'm excited about it. Thomas, we're talking on season's eve.

7:47What constitutes success in this new job, in this first season? What are the benchmarks? Is it the Premier League? Is it the Champions League? Is it to turn Tottenham into serial winners? How should we gauge it? Good question. For me, it's all about creating a team that is able to compete on all four fronts consistently throughout the years. And at the same time, hopefully win something. I think you put it very, very good. won Europa League fantastic achievement finished 17th can we get up and compete in both tournaments at the same time plus the cup tournaments that's the aim that's where we should be a club of Tottenham size how quick we can do that I don't know I'm aiming to do it quick Do you have a sense of the style of play that your Tottenham will play if you were to self-describe it what would it be?

8:39I have principles for all phases of the game I think that's extremely important but I think important that we are brave I think it's important that we are aggressive and I think it's important that we are attacking. I think that's aligned the way I see the game and also the way the Tottenham Eiffers is.

9:01Do you feel a different kind of pressure at the start of this season than you have in past years? And what do you do with that, Thomas? What do you do with doubt and fear? Right now, I'm not feeling it. It's pre-season, we're training, it's different. But as soon as you go into the game mode, that's where maybe I will feel it. I don't know. I'll tell you next time I speak to you how it was before the PSG game and the Burnley game. But of course, both games, most likely there'll be a little extra edge. Of course, PSG is a final, Super Cup final. So there will always be extra nerves, but in a good way.

9:37Burnley is the first home game, first Premier League season. but after that it will be not normal but you know what I mean it's it's I've been in this business for many years so everything you do the first time is a little always a little bit different from there on it's it's what I do. I love so much about how you approach football and life I want to be clear I love when you talk about how you're aware you need to get away from management too how important that is perspective grounding yourself it's a question from a listener for you Thomas Hayley in St. Louis what's your ideal Sunday when there's no football what do you do to switch off and recharge my ideal Sunday would be probably a slow morning with the family but I'll probably be up earlier so they they need to be there so my three children are not living with us anymore they are on their own but I'll be up early cup of coffee reading newspapers and then Then I want to go for a nice brunch, all of us, spending time together.

10:36That's the best thing, the five of us. Then probably do a little bit of relaxing midday, reading a bit, just be together. And then in the evening, go for a nice dinner. UK beer or Danish beer, if you had to choose? Need to be Danish beer. Of course, a classic one will be Carlsberg, probably the best beer in the world. That was actually very good. They should pay me for that, huh? But I think there's a nice few, what you call it, micro breweries in Denmark I like. Thomas, you talk and think a lot about risk. You said it's one reason you took this job was to add a little more risk to your life. Every arrival of a new manager at a new club is a risk and you're a data-driven man.

11:17So what percentage would you put on the undoubted football smarts and Tottenham Hotspur working out? So close to 100%. I love how you approach life. I love how you approach football. You need to be positive. If you're not positive from the beginning, then it's difficult. You're asking the most negative human being in football. Be like Thomas Frank, not like me. Last question for you. Football is such a bloody stressful business. What's the secret to holding on to such an incredible head of hair? Asking for a friend. I think it's I think my family, I guess it's from my dad. Good genes. So that's it.

11:53God if only it was that simple Thomas to you to your family to your dad's genes to your team Godspeed Thank you Courage