Thomas Frank has made it clear that Tottenham are not just in the Champions League to make up the numbers, with the new boss setting his sights firmly on trying to win European football’s biggest prize.
Tottenham Hotspur are back in the big time with the Lilywhites now set to play in Europe’s premier competition on Tuesday under the lights in the Champions League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Europa League winners would be looking to get off to the perfect start in their first league phase tie against Villarreal, which would be anything but straightforward.
Spurs have never won the Champions League, but they are no strangers to winning on the continental stage, having lifted four European trophies in their history.
Thomas Frank sets bold Tottenham Champions League target
Thomas Frank will be hoping to surpass Mauricio Pochettino’s feat of guiding Spurs to a Champions League final, with the Dane determined to lead the side one step further, but it will be far from simple, especially for a manager who is only just making his debut in the competition.
Speaking to Tottenham’s official channels, Frank admitted that while he is relishing the challenge of European nights with Tottenham, he also has ambitions of going all the way.
He said: “Obviously it is a big thing. I am hugely looking forward to it. I am sure it will be special when we hear that Champions League anthem playing.
“We want to try and win it. But the most important thing is to take one game at a time. That begins with Villarreal, a very good team. Huge respect for Marcelino. His team is well structured, well organised and they like to dominate as much as they can on the ball.”
Spurs’ European pedigree and realistic expectations
Of course, it will be baby steps for the Dane, who will look to take it one game at a time, and while Spurs have never won the Champions League, they did reach the final back in 2019.
As Europa League winners, Tottenham do know what it takes to navigate a European competition, but it is rare for Europa League holders to immediately follow it up with Champions League glory.
The last club to achieve such a feat was Jose Mourinho’s FC Porto, who won the UEFA Cup in the 2002-2003 season and then followed it up by lifting the Champions League in 2003-2004.