The Mirror

Thomas Frank will become the new Tottenham manager after Spurs finally struck an agreement with Brentford for the Dane to replace Ange Postecoglou in the club's dugout

Tottenham have reached an agreement with Brentford to make Thomas Frank their next head coach.

Spurs quickly set their sights on Frank after Ange Postecoglou was sacked last week – only 16 days after he secured Europa League success – and made an official approach to Brentford on Monday.

Discussions between Tottenham and Brentford initially centred on Frank’s current terms at the west London club, which were set to run until the summer of 2027 and contained a release clause in the region of £10million.

Further talks were required over which backroom staff Frank would take to Spurs but, after days of negotiations, a deal was struck with Brentford on Thursday.

Highly-rated Brentford first-team coach Justin Cochrane will follow Frank to Tottenham and in the process return to the club where he started his coaching journey.

London-born Cochrane has been part of Frank’s backroom staff since 2022, after he initially developed as a coach in Spurs’ youth-team before a spell at Manchester United.

Frank will take over a Spurs side which won the Europa League last month but finished 17th in the Premier League.

Poor domestic form during the 2024-25 season accounted for Postecoglou’s job as the Spurs board were forced to make “one of the toughest decisions” they have had to make in dismissing the head coach who ended a 17-year trophy drought.

Frank will be teaming up again with Spurs technical director Johan Lange, who shared an office with him when they worked together at Danish club Lyngby.

Lange has been leading Tottenham's search to appoint a successor to Postecoglou, and will oversee the club's transfer business this summer alongside Fabio Paratici, who is acting as a consultant to Spurs and will return to club in a full-time role once his worldwide football ban has been lifted.

“That was ultimately a choice from the club," he told Voetbal Zone. "We, as players, have little to say about that.

"Of course, he is the first coach in a long time who has won a trophy has had success at Spurs. So if you look at it that way, it is of course a strange choice.

“It is a choice from the club about which we have little to say, so we will see what happens now. Of course, we see some rumours about the Brentford head coach [Frank], who it will probably be. So yes, a choice from the club about which we have little to say.

“I think many of the players got along with [Postecoglou] well. And of course, what I say, he is the first coach who has brought success to Spurs in a long time.

Liverpool are embarking on what is shaping up to be a busy summer transfer window and star midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has now sent a transfer wish to Reds manager Arne Slot

Alexis Mac Allister has urged Liverpool to sign Tottenham's Cristian Romero. Mac Allister is currently away on international duty with Argentina, with Romero one of his team-mates with La Albiceleste.

Together, the duo have helped their country win two successive Copa Americas and the 2022 World Cup. Mac Allister has also starred in Liverpool's Premier League title win, while Romero helped Tottenham to lift the Europa League.

That ended a 17-year trophy drought for Spurs, who are set to undergo major changes this summer. The man who led them to winning the Europa League, Ange Postecoglou, has been sacked.

Brentford boss Thomas Frank is expected to replace the Australian. Meanwhile, Liverpool are also embarking on a busy summer window, with Arne Slot keen to ensure his side retain their place at the top of English football.

They have already been active in the transfer market, with Jeremie Frimpong having arrived while Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez are expected to join him. And Mac Allister has now urged a fourth move, singling out Romero.

In an eyebrow-raising endorsement, Mac Allister also revealed that he rates the 27-year-old as being the best defender in the world. Such a rating would place him higher than Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

Mac Allister said after Argentina's draw with Colombia on Tuesday night: “Oh, Cuti [Romero]. He’s a player I love. The way he speaks and plays.

"Sometimes you feel like he’s too much because he makes everything so easy. He gives me confidence. For me, he’s been the best centre-back in the world for several years.”

Aside from winning the Europa League, it was a miserable season for Spurs, who finished 17th in the Premier League table. That led to suggestions that Romero could move on in the summer window.

But after lifting the Europa League trophy, booking their place in next season's Champions League, Romero appeared to hint that he is happy with life in the capital city.

In a post on social media, he wrote: “We achieved what we wanted this season as a group, and that's what matters. And….My name is part of the history of this beautiful club.

“I want to thank you all for the love and support every day despite everything, but I have no doubt that staying together led us to success. We must continue, this is the path.

"We are the champions of Europe. As a family from start to finish, we deserved this title. No one trusted us and here we are, closing a great season. Thank you all for the love."

Daniel Levy told to make Ange Postecoglou Tottenham sacking U-turn in desperate plea

Tottenham are set to appoint Thomas Frank as their new manager after chairman Daniel Levy decided to sack Ange Postecoglou following the club's Europa League triumph

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has been urged to swallow his pride and reverse the decision to sack Ange Postecoglou. The Australian was dismissed as Spurs boss on Friday, but The Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Nick Reece, believes Levy will come to regret his choice.

The Australian has lots of supporters at Spurs after ending the club’s 17-year wait for a trophy by winning the Europa League with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in Bilbao. But he was sacked due to Tottenham’s dreadful league form, with the club finishing 17th in the Premier League after suffering 22 defeats.

Postecoglou is set to be replaced by Brentford boss Thomas Frank, but Levy has faced plenty of backlash, with Micky van de Ven among calling the decision “strange”. Spurs have entered talks with Brentford, who could be owed £10million in compensation for Frank, but the Mayor of Postecoglou’s home city has desperately called for a re-think.

“On behalf of the people of Melbourne, and Premier League fans around the world, I call on Tottenham Hotspur FC to reconsider its decision to sack coach Ange Postecoglou,” Reece wrote in a statement on Instagram.

"In @cityofmelbourne we have followed Ange’s career closely for decades. He began his junior and senior career in Melbourne as a player and later coach at @southmelbournefc in the 1980s.

"Never underestimate Ange’s determination to win, and his ability to carry teams to greatness. We have seen this time again over his career. This year Tottenham made history by winning the Europa League trophy – its first such win in 17 years. We will see with further trophies follow if Ange is given the chance.

"Don’t let Tottenham be known as the team that is allergic to silverware. Let Ange lead the players onto greatness in next year's Premier League campaign."

HAVE YOUR SAY! Was sacking Ange Postecoglou the right decision? Comment below.

Postecoglou himself knows that Levy will not U-turn on his decision and has already been linked with another Premier League club. “When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur my overriding emotion is one of pride,” he said in a statement.

“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 foundations that mean 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.”

Ange Postecoglou was sacked by Tottenham despite winning the Europa League after a disappointing Premier League season where the club finished 17th and a Spurs star has given their verdict

Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven has declared the decision to sack Ange Postecoglou 'a strange choice' when considering the side's Europa League success. The Australian coach was given his marching orders after two years in charge, just 16 days on from breaking Spurs' 17-year wait for a trophy.

Thomas Frank is expected to be named as Postecoglou's successor and could be appointed before the weekend. The Lilywhites are set to pay £10million to prise the Danish coach away from Brentford.

And one of Frank's early tasks will be to win over a squad who had a good relationship with Postecoglou. A number of Spurs players expressed how grateful they were to the former Celtic coach for helping them to success.

Van de Ven was coy over the prospect of Frank's arrival but admitted that the club's Premier League performances were unacceptable. The Dutch defender suggested that blame for that did not lie solely at Postecoglou's door however.

“That was ultimately a choice from the club," he told Voetbal Zone. "We, as players, have little to say about that.

"Of course, he is the first coach in a long time who has won a trophy has had success at Spurs. So if you look at it that way, it is of course a strange choice.

“It is a choice from the club about which we have little to say, so we will see what happens now. Of course, we see some rumours about the Brentford head coach [Frank], who it will probably be. So yes, a choice from the club about which we have little to say.

“I think many of the players got along with [Postecoglou] well. And of course, what I say, he is the first coach who has brought success to Spurs in a long time.

"That also shows that he has a certain quality. That also means that he has a winning mentality. 100 per cent.

"From that, you would of course say that it is strange that he was fired. What we have shown in the Premier League is, of course, unacceptable. That would, of course, have multiple factors, but that would not only have been the coach."

Van de Ven finished his 2024/25 season with a goalscoring display for the Netherlands. The Spurs star scored in the 92nd minute against Malta to round off an 8-0 victory in which Memphis Depay, Virgil van Dijk, Xavi Simons, Donyell Malen and Noa Lang all got on the scoresheet.

Thomas Frank could see some new signings at Totteham when he is appointed Spurs' successor to Ange Postecoglou, including a Brentford star and another Manchester United target

Tottenham are on course to have a deal wrapped up for Brentford's Thomas Frank. The Danish coach is set to be the man to succeed Europa League-winning boss Ange Postcoglou in north London but the changes aren't likely to stop there.

Frank is a coach rather than a manger and will be tasked with improving the squad at his disposal. But after the Lilywhites finished in 17th position, the 51-year-old will rarely have a stronger position to negotiate from over what he requires in the transfer market.

There will be key decisions to make over a number of players with the future of captain Son Heung-min a hot topic. But Tottenham technical director Johan Lange will be the figure heading up much of the recruitment, possibly alongside a returning Fabio Paratici.

With a return to Champions League football to manage in addition to the battles of the Premier League, the pressure will be on Frank to deliver on both fronts. And perhaps a new player or two can help boost Spurs' numbers and quality ahead of a better season.

Mirror Football takes a look at how Spurs could line up under Frank next term.

Guglielmo Vicario is set to remain the club's No.1 with the likes of January signing Antonin Kinsky to provide back-up. Goalkeepers Fraser Forster, 37, and Alfie Whiteman, 26, are both set to be released at the expiry of their contracts.

The Spurs backline will see Kevin Danso make his loan move permanent this summer after arriving amidst the club's injury nightmare midway through the season. Already there is some competition with talented stars such as Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Radu Dragusin at Frank's disposal.

With Dragusin still recovering from an ACL injury and Romero being linked to a possible exit for Atletico Madrid, perhaps there is room for another however. Spurs have already been linked to Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, AS Roma defender Evan Ndicka and Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi.

If Spurs can take advantage of Guehi entering the final year of his contract with the Eagles, perhaps he his most likely to slip into a backline including Pedro Porro, Van de Ven and Destiny Udogie.

In midfield Frank will have talented youngsters to choose from in Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr, while only one of older options Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur is likely to extend their stay via a new contract. The latter could help provide a base alongside Sarr if Spurs plan to stick with the players they have.

Adam Wharton and Eberechi Eze have both drawn interest from Tottenham but could prove difficult to prise away from Selhurst Park ahead of Oliver Glasner's side heading into Europe and being notoriously tough negotiators. With James Maddison already in the squad, Frank has an option to play in an advanced role and Dejan Kulusevski could also thrive in such a position.

Across Spurs' frontline a familiar face could arrive in the form of Bryan Mbeumo to provide plenty of goalscoring threat from the right side. Frank is said to have asked for the Cameroon international to follow him from Brentford.

On the opposite flank could be Son Heung-min but after securing his place as a Spurs legend by virtue of finally winning a trophy, he could find new competition. Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo is of interest to Tottenham and would appear to fit in with Frank's philosophies.

Up front, Dominic Solanke is the obvious option to lead the frontline. Son could provide some support in that position throughout the season, in addition to Richarlison but Solanke will be handed the responsibility.

Dream Tottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Guehi, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Sarr; Mbeumo, Kulusevski, Semenyo; Solanke.

Tottenham Hotspur sacked Ange Postecoglou after his second season in charge of the club and are pushing to appoint Brentford boss Thomas Frank as the new coach in the coming days

Tottenham are nearing an agreement with Brentford over Thomas Frank and could appoint the Bees boss as their new head coach in time for the weekend. Spurs quickly turned to Frank as their preferred candidate after sacking Ange Postecoglou last week.

The north Londoners parted ways with the Australian coach despite winning the Europa League after a sub-par 17th place finish in the Premier League. And Daniel Levy looks to have taken a change in tact by looking to appoint Frank, who is deemed as a more pragmatic option.

The move is set to cost Tottenham £10million but Frank could be confirmed as the club's new boss within the next 48 hours such is the positive feelings around negotiations, according to the BBC. There is will from both parties to get a deal finalised quickly.

It is said new Spurs chief Vinai Venkatesham, previously of Arsenal, has been a key figure in the process alongside Levy. Venkatesham only started work at the club just over a week ago.

And the positive talks are set to be tied up soon. Having said that, the £10m compensation cost could rise depending on how many members of backroom staff Frank looks to bring with him to north London.

One such figure Spurs already said to be in talks over is assistant Justin Cochrane. Discussions are underway over Frank's backroom team with Cochrane's arrival particularly apt after he started his coaching career with the Europa League winners.

Cochrane was previously touted as being in contention to succeed Frank at Brentford. Frank himself moved up from an assistant role under Dean Smith to take the job.

The 51-year-old Dane is already thinking about the new squad that awaits him and set out a task for his future employers. Frank would like to see Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo join him across London.

The Cameroon international, who scored 20 goals in 2024/25, is a target for Manchester United. The 25-year-old has already indicated his willingness to make the move to Old Trafford with a significant pay increase.

Brentford want to bring in £60m for the signature of their star, who has also drawn interest from Newcastle United. And perhaps Frank's exit could provide a complicating factor.

Ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster reckons the forward will be better served following his coach across London.

"I would say that if you want to be part of something that's going to make you a better footballer and work hard and be part of a team, then go to Spurs with Thomas Frank," the ex-Wrexham shot-stopper said on his Fozcast podcast.

"If you are happy picking up your wages knowing that there's going to be an awful lot more pressure, a lot more eyes on you, a lot more judgement and failure is just part of what they do, then you'd go to Manchester United."

'It's been really, really poor!' - Man Utd kicked while they're down by Leeds United legend

Stuart Dallas has given his opinion of Manchester United after the club suffered a record-low 15th-place finish in the Premier League and missed out on the Europa League title to Tottenham

Stuart Dallas has said that Manchester United have been "really, really poor" this season, as the Red Devils lick their wounds from a devastating 2024/25 campaign. New boss Ruben Amorim was unable to turn the tide at Old Trafford after taking over from Erik ten Hag in November, guiding the club to a record-low 15th-place finish in the Premier League standings.

While the Red Devils looked to save an otherwise catastrophic campaign via better performances in Europe, a 1-0 loss to a similarly struggling Tottenham Hotspur in last month's Europa League final only served as further embarrassment for the once-titans of English football.

And now Dallas, who made a name for himself with Leeds United between 2015 and 2024, has given his synopsis as to what is going on at Old Trafford at present. Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football at the Leeds American Golf for the #RifeDontMiss putting challenge, he said: "It's mad as well to think that, isn't it?

"The two clubs together are so far down the league. Spurs have obviously been decimated with injuries. It's been really, really difficult for them.

"Their style of play, on their day when it clicks, they're a really, really good team. You can see what their DNA is, but Man Utd, on the other hand, I'm still yet to be convinced of what their actual DNA is. I don't see any change from a couple of things, but in general it's been really, really poor for them."

Dallas also pondered whether a Europa League title was enough to argue that Spurs have had a successful season, given that the Lilywhites finished two places lower than United in the Premier League standings. He added: "It's mad to think that they were both European finalists as well and Spurs have obviously come out on top.

"I don't know, is it a successful season for Tottenham? They've won the European Cup and they've got Champions League football. It's bragging rights over Arsenal.

"Arsenal have obviously had a fantastic season. They've come second, but they haven't won a Cup and they're in the Champions League. Spurs have won a Cup and are in the Champions League."

Spurs are currently on the hunt for a new manager in the wake of parting ways with Ange Postecoglou earlier this month, with Brentford boss Thomas Frank looking increasingly likely to take tenure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for 2025/26. Manchester United, meanwhile, are currently undergoing major revamps to their current squad with hopes that a summer transfer window and a full pre-season campaign can be a game-changer for Amorim.

The Red Devils have already struck a £62.5million deal for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha in the first of two windows, as they continue to look to sign Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo. United reportedly saw their initial £55m bid for Mebeumo rejected, but reports suggest that the club are still keen on landing the talent this summer.

Elsewhere, the club are also currently linked with the likes of Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and Barcelona shot stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. On the flip side, the club recently announced that Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are among the stars on their way out the doors of Old Trafford as their contracts expire.

Dallas was speaking exclusively to Mirror Football at the second #RifeDontMiss Challenge, celebrating the launch of the new RIFE Black Edition putters. To register for the final qualifier and be in with a chance of winning £50,000, sign up here.

Bryan Mbeumo isn't short of options this summer as Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United chase his signature, with an ex-United player now weighing in on what the forward should do

Bryan Mbeumo has been urged to pick a move to Tottenham over Manchester United as the battle for his signature heats up. United are hoping to make the in-demand Brentford forward their next summer signing in a deal worth £60million after already capturing Matheus Cunha from Wolves.

However, Tottenham are understood to be attempting to lure Mbeumo to north London instead. Brentford boss Thomas Frank is expected to be appointed to replace Ange Postecoglou at Spurs next week.

And it's understood that the Dane is eager to take Mbeumo with him, despite United holding extensive talks with the 25-year-old over a switch to Old Trafford. The Cameroon international now has a big decision to make, with the Red Devils ready to offer him a more lucrative deal, but Spurs holding the advantage of Champions League football and the potential of continuing to work with Frank.

A former United goalkeeper has now weighed in on what Mbeumo's next move should be, and has surprisingly encouraged him to pick Tottenham. Ben Foster, who played for United between 2005 and 2010, believes Spurs have more potential for success under Frank next season and will help him to develop as a player.

"I would say that if you want to be part of something that's going to make you a better footballer and work hard and be part of a team, then go to Spurs with Thomas Frank," the ex-Wrexham shot-stopper said on his Fozcast podcast.

"If you are happy picking up your wages knowing that there's going to be an awful lot more pressure, a lot more eyes on you, a lot more judgement and failure is just part of what they do, then you'd go to Manchester United."

Mbeumo has caught the eye of a number of Premier League teams after bagging 20 league goals over the past season. His seven assists were also important in helping Brentford finish in the top half, and a previous bid to sign him by Newcastle was rejected back in January.

United have so far made two bids for Mbeumo, who is said to be open to a move, despite the club's poor start to life under Ruben Amorim. But a deal has yet to be struck with Brentford, potentially allowing Spurs to steal a march on their rivals.

Foster has backed Mbeumo to have a big impact regardless of where he plays next season. The former England international made his prediction after praising his attitude.

"I'm not questioning Bryan Mbeumo about his ability, about his mentality or about what he's like as a person," Foster said. "There's nothing to show me that I should have any worries about it. Whoever he goes and plays for, I think he would improve them and he gets into the starting line-up.

"He's got a proven record of being fit and scoring goals. He could get into pretty much all of the 20 Premier League teams and I think he starts, that's how good I think Bryan Mbeumo is."

Mbeumo has a year left on his contract at Brentford with the option of an extra year. United's offer is said to be worth around £150,000-a-week for the player, rising to £200,000-a-week with add-ons, while Spurs are prepared to give him a basic package of around £130,000-a-week.

Tottenham are closing in on the appointment of Thomas Frank but are set to raid the Dane’s former club Brentford for both his backroom staff and some players this summer

Tottenham are in talks to bring in Thomas Frank's assistant Justin Cochrane as part of a mega raid on Brentford. The North London side are closing in on the Dane’s appointment as their new head coach.

He will move to Tottenham as part of a £10million deal that will see him replace Ange Postecoglou after his sacking last week. But Spurs aren’t quite finished there, with Frank keen to bring colleagues and players in from his former club.

According to Sky Sports, talks are ongoing regarding Frank’s backroom staff which includes assistant coach Cochrane. It was previously thought that Cochrane would be in contention to potentially replace Frank at Brentford but that now appears unlikely.

Ironically, Cochrane started his coaching career with Tottenham and then moved through the age groups with the FA. Speaking about that move, he said : “I was ready for that next challenge. It was difficult leaving Tottenham because I enjoyed it, it was very close to home, and it was a good place to work.

"But the opportunity to work for England with some of the best young talents, and with some of the coaches at the time, who were fantastic... I felt it was an opportunity for me to learn again, experience some new things, and it really helped me develop as a coach and a person.”

Cochrane has also held roles with AFC Wimbledon and Manchester United. The former defender arrived at Brentford in June 2022, while he was also confirmed as a member of Thomas Tuchel's England coaching staff earlier this year.

Speaking about his time with Brentford, he added: "I had the ppportunity to work with Thomas, the opportunity to work in the Premier League with a progressive club, and I just wanted to learn again. It's another new challenge. saw it as more learning, working with good people, working in a good environment.

“I spent time working with the AFC Wimbledon first team in League One, but I wanted to test myself in the Premier League. There were some manager offers from League One clubs and some assistant coach roles at other Premier League clubs.

Will Thomas Frank be a good appointment for Spurs? Share your thoughts in the comments below

"But, in the end, it was an easy decision. It wasn’t easy to leave Manchester United, but I wanted to go from working with youth players to working with the first team. I did 14 years with youth players at a good level, so to go to Brentford in a first-team environment, I felt like that was the next step for me as a coach.

“Once I had my mind set on Brentford, I'd met Thomas a few times and I'd met Phil, I just felt like it was the right fit; there were some good people to continue learning from, and it's been brilliant so far.”

Cochrane and Frank could potentially be joined at Tottenham by forward Bryan Mbeumo. The Cameroon international is in the middle of a transfer tug of war between Manchester United and the North London side.

However, Frank isn't expected to have the only say on recruitment when he arrives at his new club. Technical Director Johan Lange - who has helped spearhead the approach for Frank - and former director Fabio Paratici are the two anticipated to be leading Spurs in the summer window.

Tottenham are pushing to land Thomas Frank as their next manager with Daniel Levy looking to see if he can reduced the financial package Brentford are demanding

Tottenham hope to appoint Thomas Frank as their new boss before the end of the week. Spurs have now made contact with Brentford but have yet to make a formal offer to bring in Frank after sacking Ange Postecoglou last Friday.

Frank has a release clause in excess of £10m written into his contract at Brentford and the Dane is believed to be keen on making the switch to become the next Spurs boss.

It is still rare for clubs to pay big “transfer fees” for managers and Tottenham have already made enquiries and laid the groundwork to bring in Frank. Tottenham boss Daniel Levy may try and negotiate on the fee but there is no reason for Brentford to reduce their demands because they inserted the figure when Frank signed his current five year deal in 2022.

Frank also had a “gentleman’s agreement” to stay at Brentford for another year but that will be wiped out if Spurs do pay the compensation with the 51-year-old ready to make his next career step.

Dane Frank took over at Brentford in 2018 and guided them into the Premier League and establishing them as a top-flight club on a small budget. That has made him one of the most sought-after managers in the top flight and he has previously been linked with the likes of Manchester United while several German clubs have also looked at him.

Frank has a big staff of coaches and analysts and the compensation figure may rise depending on how many he can take with him to Tottenham. But Tottenham are now moving heavily in the direction of being able to get Frank in the coming days and Brentford are braced for a formal approach.

The timing is still uncertain but Tottenham will be keen to get a new manager in place to plan for pre-season, the transfer window and also getting ready for the next Premier League campaign. They sacked Postecoglou even after the Aussie led Spurs to their first trophy in 17 years with the Europa League which also got them a passport into the Champions League.

But Postecoglou’s reign came to an end because Tottenham lost 22 games in the Premier League last season and there has also been a big shake-up behind the scenes with chief football officer Scott Munn also likely to go. It is understood that the new manager will have funds to spend after the qualification for the Champions League and Spurs will prioritise midfield as a key area to strengthen.

Brentford finished 10th in the Premier League this season, seven places and 18 points above Spurs. That made Frank their No1 target as a manager who is a respected coach, he develops young talent and they moved for him ahead of Fulham ’s Marco Silva who was also on their shortlist.