Thomas Frank’s interview from earlier this year sheds light on the style of football he might employ at Tottenham, and Spurs fans have a reason to be excited by his comments.
According to reports, Thomas Frank will be announced as Spurs head coach within the next 48 hours, with the Dane expected to bring several members of Brentford’s coaching staff with him.
The 51-year-old is seen by many as the ultimate pragmatist, as evidenced by his tendency to employ many different systems, sometimes within the same game.
In that respect, Frank appears to be the polar opposite of Ange Postecoglou, who was wedded to his preferred style of play. However, the Dane’s comments a few months ago suggest that we might see him adopt a different approach at Tottenham Hotspur.
Thomas Frank admits he always wanted to play ‘offensive football’
In an interview on BBC Sport four months ago, the soon-to-be Tottenham head coach explained to host Gary Lineker the way he works at Brentford and why he often tweaks his system.
In the process, the 51-year-old admitted that he tries to keep things fresh for his players and revealed that his preference is to play attacking football.
Frank said: “It’s my voice that is the main voice at the training ground, and then I think, can I develop a little bit? So sometimes, can we get a new coach into the coaching team, also come with a new drill, so it’s always a little bit refreshing things — so I’m aware of that. The style, I need to change things to also keep myself on it.”
Lineker replied: “Hence the shift this season [at Brentford].”
Frank: “Yeah so that’s a little bit back to my mindset, I always wanted to play offensive football and we started last season, it’s a combination of what’s best for the players we’ve got, we have this style, but what kind of players, because I can’t pick all the best players in the world.
“So that’s one thing, but to also keep developing the team, so this season for example we’ve got Mikkel Damsgaard in the team — give something different to the team, add something, and I think it added a good layer.”
Tottenham are reportedly interested in Mikkel Damsgaard
Frank’s praise for Damsgaard is very revealing, given what we have heard over the last 24 hours.
According to reports, Tottenham are keen on adding Damsgaard to their squad, with Frank believing that he will add some much-needed creativity and technical quality to the Lilywhites midfield.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder is also on the radars of Inter Milan, Napoli, Aston Villa, Newcastle and West Ham United, but Frank’s arrival could give the North Londoners a big advantage in the transfer pursuit.
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