Thomas Frank hasn’t even become the manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford could already be about to deal his new job a major blow.
Frank and Tottenham have agreed terms over a deal which will see the Danish manager become the 15th manager under the leadership of Daniel Levy.
The final details over the move for the 51-year-old are now being polished up, however, there appears to be a bit of a complication which could be quite significant for Frank.
Of course, Brentford need a replacement for the Dane and the Bees are now eyeing up one of Frank’s key members of his coaching staff.
Brentford want Justin Cochrane, but Thomas Frank keen to bring him to Tottenham
Brentford have long been thinking about the possibility of Justin Cochrane becoming their next manager, but Thomas Frank is keen to bring him to Tottenham Hotspur, according to Alasdair Gold.
Cochrane is one of Frank’s assistant coaches at Brentford and someone whom he is believed to value highly as part of his coaching set-up.
The 43-year-old is a former Tottenham coach, having worked with the North London club’s youth set-up and is also a close friend of current Spurs coach Matty Wells.
Gold told Last Word On Spurs: “Justin Cochrane, he’s going to be a really interesting part of this, whether he comes or not. Brentford actually have a succession plan and they often have someone.
“Thomas Frank was the succession plan after Dean Smith, and Justin Cochrane, I think, is someone they have been grooming to be the heir for Thomas Frank when he was to go.
“But I think the issue is there, Thomas Frank would probably like to bring him with him because he’s a really important part, he was actually a former Spurs coach, he used to work in the Spurs academy and from what I understand, he’s really good friends with Matty Wells.”
Tottenham will be hoping that Frank can make a quick start to life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and having all his trusted members will really aid that.
Thomas Frank could make a controversial appointment at Tottenham
Frank could also appoint Andreas Georgson, which would be a rather controversial move considering he is an ex-Arsenal coach.
The Swede has worked alongside Frank previously at Brentford before leaving to join Mikel Arteta at Arsenal as a set-piece coach.
This would be a significant appointment for Spurs as set-pieces have been a weakness for the Lilywhites over the last two seasons.
The North Londoners conceded 13 times from set-pieces last term, meanwhile, Frank’s Brentford were much better assured as they let in just two goals from set-piece situations.