Spurs boss Thomas Frank was asked about Tottenham's ambitions under the Lewis family ahead of the Lilywhites' Premier League clash against Arsenal this weekend
Thomas Frank has called upon Tottenham's owners, the Lewis family, to back up their words with actions to help push Spurs to the top. The Lilywhites boss does not believe the north London side are on the verge of splashing £100million on a player, but Frank remains intent on delivering results.
After his first 11 Premier League matches in charge of Tottenham, Frank has guided his team into fifth, after they finished 17th last term. The club sit eight points behind local rivals Arsenal in the division, ahead of the North London Derby.
The Lewis family saw Daniel Levy depart the club earlier this season and have made sustained success a priority. They have also injected £100m into the club, with the prospect of spending in the January transfer window on the horizon.
Asked if he had received assurances of the club's ambition, Frank revealed his confidence in his employers. “They [the Lewis family] definitely said they are all in for the club, that they want to be here for the long term and they want to have success," he said.
“That’s, of course, a little bit big headlines. We’ll see what happens in the future, but I’m confident they will back us to do everything we can to build a successful club.”
Frank added: “I’m very good at talking up here [to the media], but it’s about showing it out there on the pitch consistently and after setbacks. The same with them. In the best positive way, that’s what we need to do together.”
The former Brentford boss has doubts that Spurs will follow in the footsteps of Arsenal in the transfer market, however. The Gunners stumped up £100m to sign Declan Rice and cement their place as title challengers.
Frank does not reckon a £100m purchase is coming soon to aid Spurs. “In the next 50 years? Then yes!” he joked.
“It’s very evident that every successful club, not for one year. Over five, six, seven years, to build, you need a combination of time and processes.
"Then, of course, investment. If you want success in football, you need to invest in players. Hopefully, do it cleverly and we want to do it smart, so we don’t invest too much on the wrong players.
“But you need to invest... £100m? I don’t know. Let’s see. I don’t think we are close to spending £100m, put it that way. But I don’t know, let’s see what happens in the future.”