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Ange Postecoglou is in talks over making a swift return to the dugout after leaving Tottenham.
The Australian led Spurs to their first trophy since 2008 with victory in the Europa League final over Manchester United last month.
Postecoglou made it clear that he wanted to stay at Spurs and at the club’s trophy parade declared that “season three is always better than season two”.
However, Daniel Levy made the decision to sack Postecoglou, with European silverware not enough to make up for the club finishing 17th in the Premier League, and he has been replaced by Thomas Frank.
The Athletic report that Postecoglou could soon find himself back in management, as Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli consider him as their next manager.
Matthias Jaissle is still in charge of the Saudi club and led the club to AFC Champions League glory last month, but he has only one year left on his current contract and has turned down several extension offers.
Former Barcelona boss Xavi is also on the shortlist for Al-Ahli, but conversations have taken place with Postecoglou.
Al-Ahli finished fifth in the Saudi Pro League last season and have a number of former Premier League stars in their ranks.
Roberto Firmino starred in the AFC Champions League final win over Kawasaki, while Ivan Toney leads the line for the club.
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Frank tried to sign two players now at Tottenham while he was in charge at Brentford
New era: It is a fresh start for Tottenham’s players under Thomas Frank
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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick
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It is all change at Tottenham following the appointment of Thomas Frank as their new head coach.
The Dane has left Brentford to sign a three-year contract at Spurs and he is joined by four members of staff that will form his backroom team.
Frank is set to get to work immediately and his arrival could have a big impact on several players in the Tottenham squad.
A new head coach means new ideas and a new way of playing, which could change the fortunes of some players.
And, here, Standard Sport takes a look at the big winners at Tottenham from Frank’s appointment…
James Maddison
The attacking midfielder has blown hot and cold during his time in north London.
Maddison excelled in the first few months after joining Spurs from Leicester in the summer of 2023, but his form has been mixed since then.
The arrival of Frank could reignite Maddison’s Tottenham career, though, especially if the Dane elects to play a 4-2-3-1 formation.
That was how Brentford were set up for much of last season and Mikkel Damsgaard excelled as the team’s No10.
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Damsgaard was voted the Supporters’ Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year at Brentford’s end-of-season awards.
Only three players had more Premier League assists than the 10 that the Denmark international managed last season.
Maddison would relish having a similar role in Tottenham’s team and the chance to be the central playmaker could get the best out of him.
James Maddison could have a leading role under Thomas Frank
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Archie Gray
Had things turned out differently, Gray could have been playing for Brentford last season and not Tottenham.
The Bees had looked set to complete a £35million deal with Leeds last summer, but Spurs swooped to sign the teenager.
Gray is reported to have even undergone a medical with Brentford, before having a change of heart.
Brentford’s pursuit of the 19-year-old is a clear sign of Frank’s admiration for him and the pair will now get the chance to work together.
Gray had a good first season at Spurs, often filling in at centre-back to ease the club’s injury crisis.
It remains to be seen where Frank elects to play the teenager, but he will surely be a big part of his plans going forward.
Frank tried to sign Archie Gray for Brentford last summer
Action Images via Reuters
Brennan Johnson
The winger is yet another player that Frank tried to sign during his time with Brentford.
Back in 2023, the Bees made a club-record bid of over £35m for Johnson - but it was rejected by Nottingham Forest.
Later that summer, the Wales international would move to Tottenham as part of a deal worth £47.5m.
It is not hard to see why Frank wanted to sign Johnson as he would have suited the direct and fast style of Brentford’s attack.
Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa scored 39 Premier League goals between them for Brentford last season, with Kevin Schade also proving a dangerous weapon due to his pace.
Johnson has just had a good season for Spurs, scoring 18 goals and, most famously, the winner in the Europa League final.
He may now have a key role to play for Frank by bringing speed to Tottenham’s forward line.
Brennan Johnson scored Tottenham’s winner in the Europa League final
AFP via Getty Images
Pedro Porro
Frank revealed his admiration for Porro last season when he described how the right-back had “Trent-ish offensive qualities”.
The comparison to Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold could be a glimpse into how Frank wants to use Porro next season.
The Dane places a big emphasis on getting balls into the box and Brentford ranked fifth in the Premier League last season for successful open-play crosses. The year before, they were No1.
That should be music to Porro’s ears as he is the best crosser in Spurs’ squad. He completed 34 successful crosses last season in the Premier League, which was 25 more than anyone else at Tottenham.
Frank could give Porro the freedom to influence games from right-back like Alexander-Arnold, while he may have a key role if Tottenham play with a back-three.
At Brentford, Frank was happy to switch to a back-three at times and the wing-back role is one Porro suits.
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Woman who vanished from Hyde Park four months ago 'found safe and well'
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Tottenham defender Cristian Romero has posted a touching farewell message to Ange Postecoglou less than an hour after Thomas Frank was confirmed as his replacement.
Postecoglou was relieved of his duties last week despite delivering Spurs’ first trophy since 2008, pipping Manchester United to the Europa League. In contrast, he also suffered a historically poor domestic campaign, winning just 11 matches and finishing 17th.
Most squad members wasted little time in saying their goodbyes as messages of gratitude poured in for the beloved manager.
Micky van de Ven described the move as ‘strange’ in an interview with Dutch television, while Pedro Porro wrote: “Above everything, you gave us one of the greatest moments in the club’s history and for that, you’ll always be celebrated. Wishing you all the very best, boss.”
Many echoed the sentiment, though Romero waited to post his tribute until Frank, formerly of Brentford, had been confirmed as Postecoglou’s successor in a thinly veiled protest against the decision to remove the Australian.
He wrote on Instagram: “Ange, thank you for these two incredible seasons. You’re a fantastic coach, but above all, a great person who deserves the best.
“From day one you paved the way despite the many obstacles that always existed and always will exist.
“Beyond everything, we won a trophy and went down in the history of this beautiful club, which is the only thing that matters.
“I wish you the best because you deserve the best, and thank you for everything.”
Woman who vanished from Hyde Park four months ago 'found safe and well'
Woman who vanished from Hyde Park four months ago is found
New Spurs head coach is tactical flexible and likes to use different formations
Adaptable: New Spurs head coach Thomas Frank
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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick
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While Ange Postecoglou did eventually adapt his style at Tottenham in their run to Europa League glory, his lack of tactical flexibility was a major issue behind the decline in Premier League form that led to his downfall. But that won’t be the case with Thomas Frank.
“Adaptability or tactical flexibility is something I believe a lot in,” said Frank during his seven successful years in charge of Brentford.
Frank favours a possession-based style of football but the Dane is willing to switch his tactical approach in different scenarios and against different opponents.
Brentford played expansive, front-foot football in the Championship but went with a more pragmatic approach after they were promoted to the Premier League.
Frank has used a number of different formations at Brentford. Here, Standard Sport looks at how Spurs could line up under their new head coach.
Frank’s Brentford switched systems fluently
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This was a formation Brentford used frequently as they secured a top-half finish last season.
Right winger Bryan Mbeumo and striker Yoanna Wissa excelled in the system, scoring 39 Premier League goals between them.
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But Mikkel Damsgaard was the real star as the No10 and was voted the Supporters’ Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year at Brentford’s end-of-season awards.
If Frank is to use such a formation at Spurs then it could play into the hands of James Maddison, who would surely relish a role like Damsgaard’s.
James Maddison will hope to have a key role under Frank
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Maddison has shown flashes of brilliance during his time at Spurs, but he has failed to consistently recreate the form he showed at Leicester.
A creative No10 could also help bring the best out of Dominic Solanke upfront and Heung-min Son on the flanks.
Possible line-up: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Bergvall; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Solanke
Frank was more than happy to use a back-three at Brentford, especially when he wanted to frustrate teams.
The Bees would play direct and hit teams on the counter, utilising the pace offered by the likes of Kevin Schade and Mbeumo.
Tottenham have the personnel in their squad to play with a back-three and it could also allow help Frank get Archie Gray into the team.
Brentford tried to sign Gray before he joined Spurs last summer and the teenager, or more likely Kevin Danso, could line up in a back-three alongside Cristian Romero (if he is still around) and Micky Van de Ven.
Switching to a back-three would be good news for Archie Gray and Kevin Danso
Nick Potts/PA Wire
Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro are both suited to playing as wing-backs, which is another plus of Frank using a 3-5-2 formation.
The biggest question would be who partners Solanke upfront, but Son has played through the middle before and a change in position could help him after a mixed season.
Possible line-up: Vicario; Gray, Romero, Van de Ven; Porro, Kulusevski, Bentancur, Bergvall, Udogie; Solanke, Son
Brentford shifted from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 4-3-3 system at times last season, and to good effect.
When playing with three forwards, Frank often fielded the pacy trio of Mbeumo, Schade and Wissa.
A similar set up with Spurs would suit someone like Brennan Johnson, another player Frank tried to sign for Brentford.
Johnson is an ideal fit for a wide spot in Frank’s counter-attacking 4-3-3 system because of his pace.
Frank’s plans for Brennan Johnson will be fascinating
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It would also play into the hands of Wilson Odobert, who has only shown glimpses of his potential so far since moving to Spurs.
The biggest debate in such a system would be who lines up in midfield for Tottenham if they are not playing with a conventional No10.
Dejan Kulusevski may find himself as one of two No8s given his athleticism, while Lucas Bergvall could thrive in a similar role after a strong first season.
Possible line-up: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Bergvall; Johnson, Solanke, Odobert.
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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick
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As Thomas Frank gets to work at Tottenham, neither party will need reminding of the risks.
Daniel Levy’s decision to sack Ange Postecoglou after leading the club to a first trophy in 17 years was a bold one, for all Spurs’ dismal Premier League form made it almost inevitable.
Postecoglou was hugely popular among the players and the Europa League triumph remains fresh in the minds of supporters.
Frank’s likeable personality should ensure similar dressing-room support and the opinion of fans will be shaped by matters on the pitch come August, but there are further questions for the 51-year-old to answer.
He has done a remarkable job across seven years in the Brentford dugout, operating with a wage bill that in most cases would have resulted in Premier League relegation.
At Spurs, Frank will have greater resources and a crack at the Champions League, but so too increased expectations and an immediate demand for results.
Frank enjoyed his best days at Brentford but now faces a new test
Adam Davy/PA Wire
Most crucial, perhaps, will be adapting to life outside the well-oiled Brentford machine.
“It’s in many ways the perfect job,” Frank said in January. “You can still be ambitious... you can build a club and have a chance to win something. And because the environment, the ownership and everything is so good, it means my day-to-day job is extremely good. That’s worth a lot.”
Recent Tottenham managers have not been queuing up to describe the Spurs job in the same way.
Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte did not make it beyond 18 months, while even a European trophy was not enough for Postecoglou to survive.
At Brentford, Frank has enjoyed a strong relationship with owner Matthew Benham and works closely with director of football Phil Giles and technical director Lee Dykes.
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The club are one of the best run in the country and have maximised every penny, with Frank developing the likes of Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo into key assets.
He was interviewed for the Chelsea job last summer and was also linked with Manchester United, but has been coy about taking the next step.
Frank pondered last summer: “Do I like to try something in the future? Maybe, but it’s not like I need to try something bigger or better because what is better? Who knows?”
He has earned the chance to find out, as Frank prepares to work outside the Brentford bubble for the first time since 2016.
Thomas Frank has reportedly requested the signing of Bryan Mbeumo
John Walton/PA Wire
The Bees provide the ideal structure, but Frank must now prove he can contend with increased responsibility and deliver away from that slick operation.
The scaffolding is very much up at Tottenham as the club undergoes a boardroom overhaul.
Levy’s closest ally Donna Cullen has departed after almost 20 years, while former Arsenal director Vinai Venkatesham is now in place as chief executive.
Chief football officer Scott Munn’s future is also in doubt, and there is talk of a return for Fabio Paratici when his ban for alleged financial irregularities is lifted this month.
The upheaval is significant and it will surely take some time for this new set-up to agree on a shared vision on recruitment, for example.
Technical director Johan Lange, though, is a keen admirer of Frank, having previously worked with him at Danish club Lyngby in 2013.
Frank will also bring some of his coaching staff with him to Spurs, along with set-piece expert Andreas Georgson, who was at Brentford in 2020.
Familiar faces will be crucial for a manager renowned for his tactical flexibility, particularly with training sessions minimised by a packed fixture list. Spurs played 17 more matches than Brentford last season.
It is a job that presents both an opportunity and a challenge for Frank, one that will elevate him as a manager or emphasise just how “perfect” the Brentford environment is.
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