Tottenham’s new assistant head coach Justin Cochrane has explained one similarity between Thomas Frank and Mauricio Pochettino, which will excite Spurs fans.
Cochrane is one of four confirmed members of Frank’s coaching staff at Spurs, with the 43-year-old set to be the Dane’s right-hand man at Hotspur Way.
He has been joined by Chris Haslam (Head of Performance & First Team Assistant Coach), Joe Newton (First Team Coach Analyst), and Andreas Georgson (First Team Assistant Coach).
Cochrane has extensive experience working with and developing young players, having coached as part of England’s youth setup as well as in the Tottenham academy during Mauricio Pochettino’s time at the club.
Justin Cochrane’s exciting proclamation about Thomas Frank
Having seen both Pochettino and Frank work up close, Cochrane revealed back in 2022 that the Argentine and the Dane share one similarity: their ability to understand what makes different players tick.
He explained that like Pochettino, the new Tottenham Hotspur head coach can connect with players on a human level and deliver messages that are attuned to getting the best out of each individual.
Cochrane said on the Training Ground Guru podcast two years ago: “Understanding talent and difference – Marcus Edwards, Noni Madueke, Alejandro Garnacho – I had to connect with them the same way I am having to now with Bryan Mbeumo, Mikkel Damsgaard and Keane Lewis-Potter.
“It’s the same process. It’s about soft skills, emotional intelligence, understanding yourself, listening skills and finding ways to connect with people. And it takes time, it doesn’t happen overnight.
“It’s just being genuinely interested in them as human beings. Thomas Frank is probably the best I’ve seen – and Mauricio Pochettino and Gareth Southgate – of content and connection. They know their stuff, their tactics, their gameplay – and they know how to get the best out of people.
“Thomas Frank is outstanding with his details. He understands how to set up a team, and a training session, and he’s brilliant at getting the best out of the players. You can see that – the players are at their max each week in the Premier League.
“Mauricio knew when players needed an arm round the shoulder, a kick up the backside, he was brilliant with them. Understanding emotional intelligence, understanding self.”
Why Brentford were so desperate to keep Justin Cochrane away from Tottenham
Landing the 43-year-old is a real coup for Spurs, with some sources claiming that Cochrane was in line to replace Frank as Brentford’s head coach had he stayed.
This was backed up by The Independent, who claimed that Cochrane was the Bees’ number one choice to replace Frank ahead of Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna.
The outlet claimed that the West London club fought to hang on to the Englishman and there was a ‘tug of war’ with Tottenham before he eventually made the move to North London.