The Sun

TOTTENHAM are on the verge of agreeing a deal with Brentford for Thomas Frank.

High-level sources involved in the negotiations have told SunSport that the switch is now “very close” to being agreed.

Spurs made Danish boss Frank their No1 target to succeed Ange Postecoglou.

That was after Aussie Postecoglou was sacked just 16 days on from ending the club’s 17-year trophy drought with Europa League glory in Bilbao.

Frank has already said yes to come to Spurs - it has just been a matter of the two clubs coming to a financial agreement.

The Bees hold a release clause on Frank that is believed to be around £10million.

Ipswich chief Kieran McKenna is set to be among the candidates Brentford will consider as Frank’s replacement.

Should Frank leave, it will end a near seven-year stay with the Bees where he has won promotion to the Premier League and managed two top-ten finishes, including this term.

But SunSport understands McKenna is happy at Ipswich and determined to take the club back to the Prem following their relegation.

Meanwhile Postecoglou has already had interest from other clubs since his ruthless Spurs axing.

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The former Celtic treble-winner is understood to have been sounded out by clubs inEngland and on the Continent already.

But Postecoglou, who is enjoying some time with his family, is happy not to rush any decision over his future.

That does not rule out a quick return to management, however, should the right opportunity present itself.

SON HEUNG-MIN has told fans to “wait and see what happens” regarding his future.

The South Korean icon, 32, is a target for Saudi Pro League clubs this summer.

SunSport understands Son would be open to going out on the high of finally winning a trophy with last month’s Europa League triumph after a decade at the club.

But Spurs are unlikely to let him go on the cheap, even with only 12 months left on his deal, given his commercial value to the club.

Son, who earned his 134th cap for his country in a 4-0 win over Kuwait, said: "I still have one more year left on the contract.

“Rather than saying anything at this moment, I think we should all wait and see what happens.

“But no matter where I end up, I will always do the best I can. It will never change."

Son also spoke of his satisfaction after finally getting his hands on silverware with Tottenham.

He already has eyes on next season and is preparing to start the campaign in the best possible physical shape.

He continued: "I think I’ve accomplished everything I’ve done while playing the football I wanted to.

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"Football is about winning and only winners are remembered. Despite the difficult season, it was a really happy season for me because I experienced the trophy that I’ve been chasing since I was young.

"It was a year where I wanted to do better. I was so happy to be able to share that moment with so many people who cheered me on.

"I haven’t been in good condition many times, but I think I’ll be able to prepare for the new season in really good condition."

It read: "When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride.

"The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime.

"Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget.

"That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream.

"There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible.

"We have also laid the foundations that means this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success.

"I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them. I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters.

"I know there were some difficult times, but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on.

"It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis.

"And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years.

"A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special.

“We are forever connected. Audere est Facere.”

Littler 'can help'

Darts legend Dennis Priestley has insisted that Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim should use Luke Littler to inspire his players.

He told OLGB: "Luke Littler might be overawed working with his favourite club, but Manchester United players do look to need some inspiration and he could provide that.

"They need some help getting the best out of themselves which Littler has done so well despite his young age, it’s been hard for players to reach their potential ever since Sir Alex Ferguson left.

"So maybe Littler can help out Ruben Amorim by providing some advice and inspiration."

United's Cunha free run

Chris Waddle also believes that Manchester United were able to sign Mathues Cunha unchallenged.

The former Tottenham star claims that the Brazilian was tempted into the move because of the size of Man United.

Speaking toonline-casinos.com, he said: "I think he’s sold on the idea that United are a massive club.

"Even now it’s one of the biggest in the world, and he’ll have felt that even in Brazil. They’re massive, even if they’re struggling right now.

"But that will change. They’re too big not to improve from here, whether it’s next year or the year after, United are going to re-emerge as a top four team.

"We know that’s coming, and Matheus Cunha clearly has bought into what Ruben Amorim sold him.

"I think United remain a huge side, and let’s be honest - we don’t know if he actually got other offers.

"There was talk of City at one point, but it’s only United who have put the money down, and nobody seems to have challenged them for him."

Waddle on Rashford

Chris Waddle believes that Marcus Rashford is not good enough to play for Barcelona.

The Manchester United star is reportedly keen on a move to the LaLiga champions.

However, Waddle things he would struggle to play if he moves to Barcelona.

Speaking to online-casinos.com, he said: "I can’t see him going to Barcelona, not while Raphinha is playing brilliantly.

"I know Robert Lewandowski is 36 years old, but would you buy Rashford to play as a No. 9?

"I think there are better players who play through the middle, and Rashford is at his best on the wing. Raphinha is captain, he’s doing his job every week.

"It’s all right thinking you want to go to Barcelona, but they’re not going to pay you big money for you to be sat on the bench. That’s not going to happen.

"I think his options will be limited. He'll want a lot of money and the transfer fee would be massive for a club.

"So I could see him going out on loan somewhere again for a year. But as for a permanent move, I can't see it."

Angry Viktor

Viktor Gyokeres is fuming at Sporting Lisbon after their U-turn on his release clause, it has been claimed.

The striker is understood to have reached a gentleman's agreement with the club at the start of the season, which would see them accept a fee less than the £84million release clause in his contract.

The 27-year-old was told he could leave the Portuguese capital for an overall fee of £59million, with £51m of that figure being paid up front.

But Portuguese newspaper Record claims Sporting have had a change of heart and won't part with Gyokeres' services unless they receive £67m.

Gyokeres, who is wanted by Manchester United, is reportedly irate with the club's U-turn and feels like they have betrayed him.

Academy star's emotional goodbye

Outgoing centre-back Jack Kingdon has thanked everyone associated with United.

Kingdon was one of ten players released on Monday, and one of the six academy stars on the list.

He spent five years at United after joining the club as a 15-year-old from Morecambe.

The centre-back, who will turn 20 in November, was a regular fixture for the club's Under-18s and Under-21s during his time at Old Trafford.

Bayern drop Kim Min-jae price

Long-time Man United target Kim Min-jae is attracting interest from Liverpool, Newcastle United and Chelsea.

Bayern’s asking price for Kim has dropped from around €50 million to more like €35 millon.

Football 365 cites that Man United are also one of the teams ‘offered’ the North Korean defender.

After a Scudetto-winning season with Napoli in 2023, Min-jae moved to Bayern with promise and expectation but has failed to live up to the desired level in his two seasons at the club, with Eric Dier usurping him in the centre-back ranks amongst Vincent Kompany and his coaches.

Post/pre-season preparations underway for Heaven

Talking about Ayden Heaven...

The Man United centre-back may not be on the training ground, but is still getting in his work when he can.

After picking up a serious leg injury in March, Heaven was able to recover towards the end of the season and join the team on their post-season tour to Asia.

The former Arsenal academy player has enjoyed a relatively productive season at Old Trafford and will look to build on that in Ruben Amorim's first full season in charge.

ANGE POSTECOGLOU sent a heartwarming text message to Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma.

The Aussie boss wassacked on Friday - just 16 days after leading Spurs to their first trophy in 17 years as they beat Manchester United in the Europa League final.

However, a woeful Premier League campaign which saw the club finish 17th and record 22 losses meant his position was ultimately untenable.

Many of the Tottenham squad - including captainSon Heung-min and James Maddison - were quick to post emotional messages of gratitude to Postecoglou.

And Bissouma has now revealed his own WhatsApp exchange with his former manager on Snapchat.

The conversation begins with Postecoglou writing: "Hi Biss. Sorry I missed your call. I am very proud of you.

"It was an honour to share a dressing room with you and appreciate how much you believed in what we were trying to achieve.

"I wish you only the best for the future. I will always be following. Much love from my family to yours.'

Bissouma replied just over an hour later with: "Thank you gaffer and thank you really much for everything on and off the pitch I'll always be grateful.

"The way you believed me and trusted me was incredible. I'm gonna miss you but it's football life.

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"Got a lot to be said but I think you know what I'm thinking about you already so I'm just wishing you all the best for the future and may God protect you and your family. #bigboss love."

The exchange ended with the 59-year-old responding: "Always by your side Biss 🙏."

Bissouma was one of the best players on the pitch during Spurs' Europa League final win 16 days before Postecoglou was axed, and has the former Celtic boss saved as 'Big Ange' in his phone.

The heartfelt farewell exchange indicates how popular Postecoglou was with his players who are reportedly furious with the decision to sack him.

SunSport exclusively revealed that Brentford manager Thomas Frank has agreed to replace Postecoglou.

Spurs will have to pay a hefty compensation fee for the Dane, and are also interested in taking Bryan Mbeumo with him.

Frank is set to be Bissouma's third manager since he joined Antonio Conte's Spurs from Brighton in June 2022.

TOTTENHAM have qualified for the Uefa–Conmebol Club Challenge by winning the Europa League.

But due to a hectic schedule, the North Londoners may not have time to play it.

Spurs ended their 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League last month.

Their triumph will see them enter the Uefa Super Cup in August.

Tottenham - led by a new manager - will head to Udine in Italy to face Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain on August 13 in a bid to earn more silverware.

While the Super Cup is a well-known competition, previously won by several English clubs including Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea, not so much is known about the Uefa–Conmebol Club Challenge.

The revamped competition was launched two years ago as a follow-up to the previous Supercopa Euroamericana.

It sees the Europa League winners go up against the champions of its South American counterpart, the Copa Sudamericana.

In 2023, perennial Europa League winners Sevilla fittingly lifted its inaugural edition following a penalty shootout win over Independiente del Valle at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

The game did not take place last year, as Atalanta and Ecuadorian side Liga de Quito could not arrange a date.

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This year's Copa Sudamericana winners were Argentine side Racing Club.

Their club president is former Inter Milan star Diego Milito, who reportedly wants to set up a date with Spurs.

Reports in Argentina suggest that a game could be put on in their country or the US.

But according to Football.London, Uefa chiefs feel that it will be difficult to find a slot in which to fit the game.

Tottenham have already confirmed three pre-season friendlies set to take place in three different countries.

The Lilywhites will face rivals Arsenal in a controversial "friendly" match in Hong Kong on July 31.

They will then head to South Korea, where they will battle Newcastle United in Seoul.

From there they will head to Munich for their third pre-season friendly with Bayern since Harry Kane's move to Bavaria, which will take place on August 7.

Thomas Frank is likely to be the man in the Spurs dugout, following Ange Postecoglou's sacking last Friday.

SunSport revealed last night that the Dane has agreed to take over following talks over the weekend.

Frank, 51, wants to leave Brentford for Tottenham, while taking members of his backroom staff with him.

Spurs are currently advancing in talks over the Bees' compensation package.

ANGE-BALL is dead and buried, a cold-blooded decision that has divided the Tottenham fanbase.

The departure of Ange Postecoglou brought a mix of bewilderment and anger from some, with many feeling his axe was unnecessary.

Plenty of Spurs supporters are unsure about what lead candidate Thomas Frank will bring if he is the next man through the revolving door.

The club’s fans always want their team to reflect the attacking principles — the “Glory, Glory” “To Dare is to Do” football — articulated by their 1960-61 Double-winning icons, captain Danny Blanchflower and boss Bill Nicholson.

That is why defensively-minded Nuno Espirito Santo, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte never quite fitted in.

And it is why Dane Frank — currently at Brentford — actually ticks more boxes than any alternative.

His Bees were promoted to the Premier League in 2021 playing free-flowing, attractive football.

But Frank realised he could not play that way in the top flight with the squad and resources at his disposal.

Not until they established themselves. It meant Frank had to get his recruitment and his tactics right — also showing a willingness to adapt alongside solid analysis and smart thinking.

He showed the same passion and desire as Bees fans, who loved watching his side evolve.

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But the Gtech hierarchy knew this moment would come.

That a big club would knock on the door and Frank would be ready to walk through, seeking a stage that lets him play the football he REALLY wants to play.

Football that comes straight off the N17 wish-list.

Quizzed by SunSport recently Frank, 51, said: “For many, years, I’ve been most attracted to more offensive football.

“I always looked a little bit at the Ajax team, the total football idea.

“Then it was Barcelona, the first Dream Team under Johan Cruyff, which of course also had Michael Laudrup, another Danish player, at the heart of it.

“So I watched all those games, incredible — and then of course Pep Guardiola took them to another level.

“I was also inspired by watching what Jurgen Klopp did at Liverpool.

“They were the most difficult team to play against from a defensive side because they attacked from all angles.

'FANTASTIC FOOTBALL'

“Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal as well. I liked that, with Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Freddie Ljungberg, Robert Pires. That was some fantastic football as well.

“I got that inspiration and tried to merge it into my own blueprint.

“Hopefully, you can be a great entertainer and a great winner at the same time.

“Ultimately it is all about winning, no doubt. But you can’t achieve anything big without being solid at the back.”

Frank has the intelligence and depth to deal with pressure and crises — and would not blow up a club like Spurs in the way Conte did in 2023 — nor turn on the fans as Postecoglou did too frequently.

Proof of that came with Frank’s brilliant handling of the Ivan Toney gambling case.

After the striker was charged with betting offences in November 2022 he scored ten goals in 19 Prem games before the striker’s eight-month FA ban was confirmed.

Frank knew his job was to be a counsellor as well as a manager.

Not just before the ban, but during and after.

He said at the time: “He’s made mistakes, but we need to be there and help him.

“We all make mistakes. Who are we to judge, especially in football?

“Ivan is a footballer, but he’s also a human being. We need to do everything we can to support him.”

Yet in Toney’s absence Frank unleashed Yoanne Wissa alongside Mbeumo — they scored 39 Prem goals between them last term.

Ange’s legacy is a first Spurs trophy in 17 years.

It provides a platform that Frank is ready to build on.

It is the role he has waited for all his career. And it gives him the chance to turn his ambitions into reality.

THOMAS FRANK has agreed to become the new Tottenham manager.

SunSport understands that following talks over the weekend, the Brentford boss is close to becoming Ange Postecoglou's replacement.

Frank, 51, wants to make the switch across London which will end his near-seven year spell with the Bees.

It is now down to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to settle on a compensation package with G-Tech stadium chiefs.

Tottenham brutally sacked Postecoglou on Friday despite the Aussie ending their 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League last month.

And Levy is moving quickly to appoint the Dane, who guided Brentford to a 10th place Premier League finish this season.

Fulham manager Marco Silva and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola have been in the running but Frank is expected to become the fourth permanent Tottenham boss in the last four years.

Frank joined Brentford in 2018 and after promotion to the top-flight less than three years later, he has made them an established Prem club.

The Dane already wants to bring Bryan Mbeumo, 25, with him to North London with Spurs trying to hijack Manchester United's proposed deal for the Cameroonian winger.

Although that could cost Levy up to £70million with a possible £10m deal for Frank, plus £60m for Mbuemo's services.

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That would test Tottenham's financial power, especially as Mbeumo is thought to be demanding around £250,000 per week in wages, which would make him the club's highest-paid player.

But Spurs' victory over United in Bilbao does mean they can offer him Champions League football.

Frank will also be tasked with a significant improvement in the Premier League following Tottenham's worst ever finish.

Despite Postecoglou's European success, he oversaw a club-record 22 Prem defeats, which resulted in them coming 17th.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS bravely took aim at Arsenal's lack of European success during his gig at the Emirates Stadium last night.

The former Take That singer performed at the Gunners' ground as part of his international tour on Friday and Saturday.

While entertaining the fans packed into the ground, Williams couldn't help but take a cheeky dig at Arsenal - teasing them for the success of local rivals Tottenham.

Joking about Tottenham's Europa League glory this season, and Arsenal's failure to win a European trophy since the 1994 Cup Winners' Cup, Williams asked: "How far are Arsenal from a European trophy?".

Only to reply: "Four f*****g miles".

Tottenham fans were absolutely loving the tongue-in-cheek jibe, which was met with a huge cheer inside the stadium.

On social media, one fan wrote: "I always liked Robbie".

While another added: "No way I've just seen Robbie Williams bantering Arsenal on their own turf".

Arsenal fans were quick to point out that Williams was only right with his assessment of the men's team, after Arsenal Women won the Champions League this season.

One wrote: "Literally won the UWCL two weeks ago, my friend..."

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And a second posted: "I think, Robbie, you’ll find you’re actually stood in the home of a team that has two Champions League trophies…"

Spurs fans are already fond of Williams after they nicked his hit song 'Angels' to create a chant for now sacked manager Ange Postecoglou.

And Williams even posted a video of himself belting out the tune with the Tottenham lyrics back in 2023, declaring: "Guess I'm a Spurs fan now".

In reality Williams is a diehard Port Vale fan, regularly attending the club's games.

It read: "When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride.

"The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime.

"Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget.

"That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream.

"There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible.

"We have also laid the foundations that means this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success.

"I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them. I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters.

"I know there were some difficult times, but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on.

"It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis.

"And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years.

"A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special.

“We are forever connected. Audere est Facere.”