Daily Express

Tottenham have confirmed the appointment of Thomas Frank from Brentford. The 51-year-old Dane replaces Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked despite winning the Europa League final last month, and has been handed a contract until the summer of 2028.

Frank spent seven years in charge of Brentford, guiding the Bees into the Premier League in 2021. He's since established the club as a top-flight side with finishes of 13th, ninth, 16th and 10th respectively. In a released statement, Spurs said Frank had a "proven track record" from his previous jobs.

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"Thomas has extensive experience in English football having joined Brentford in 2016 - since becoming one of the longest-serving current managers in the Premier League," the statement read. "During his time at Brentford he transformed the club, moving them up from the Championship to an established Premier League side, consistently and significantly outperforming expectations for an extended period of time.

"In Thomas we are appointing one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game. He has a proven track record in player and squad development and we look forward to him leading the team as we prepare for the season ahead."

They also confirmed four other appointments, with three figures following Frank from Brentford. Justin Cochrane, initially deemed a contender to replace the ex-Brondby man at the Gtech Community Stadium, will again serve as his assistant.

Chris Haslam has also come on board as head of performance and first team assistant coach, and Joe Newton will be the new first team coach analyst. Andreas Georgson has come from Manchester United as another assistant coach.

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Frank's maiden season at Spurs will see him lead a side in the Champions League for the first time. Despite their 17th-place finish in the Premier League, the Europa League glory under Postecoglou secured a spot in UEFA's elite competition.

In March, Frank signed a new deal at Brentford to keep him at the club until 2027. Tottenham have reportedly paid their London rivals a fee of around £10million to buy him out of his contract.

Thomas Frank has already made it clear that he would like to work with Bryan Mbeumo again next season. However, the scenery has changed in the month that followed. Manchester United are currently the favourites to complete a deal for Mbeumo this summer after earning the 25-year-old forward's preference.

Yet, Frank's imminent arrival at Tottenham Hotspur, replacing sacked head coach Ange Postecoglou, has added an intriguing angle to the saga. According to The Athletic, Spurs are set to announce the Dane as their new boss after striking an agreement for highly-rated assistant Justin Cochrane to join him across London.

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Simultaneously, reports claim that Frank is preparing to hijack United's pursuit of Mbeumo and lure his star man to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Brentford rejected the Red Devils' opening bid worth £45million plus £5m in add-ons and are holding out for a package of £60m.

While both clubs will be actively working the settle on a deal, the short break between the first summer deadline on June 10 to the start of the transfer window proper on June 16 invites the risk of shenanigans.

Frank made no secret of his admiration for Mbeumo throughout their long relationship at Brentford, during which he scored 70 goals and 51 appearances in 242 appearances.

Ahead of the summer transfer window, Frank discussed Mbeumo's future and insisted that while the Bees may have to listen to offers, the pair wished to continue working together.

"I'm the head coach. I want my best players to stay forever," Frank told Sky Sports. "I know that Bryan is very happy being here at Brentford, he's thriving, doing well and playing fantastic. What happens in the future? I don't know.

"I've said many times: we are a selling club. But at the same time, we have to reinforce that there are 10 clubs in the world that aren't selling clubs.

"So, of course, if the right price - and that's going to be expensive - is coming, then I'm sure the club will be open for it.

"But I'm very happy he's here, and I'm convinced that Bryan will still be happy playing football here."

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Frank also admitted that the Cameroon international's desire to remain at Brentford could change if heavyweight interest arrived, though.

And it has in the form of United, despite the fallen giants' 15th-place finish in the Premier League last season and lack of European football in the upcoming campaign.

Spurs ended up in 17th, highlighting the magnitude of the task at hand for Frank in North London, but there is Champions League football on offer, courtesy of a Europa League triumph over United.

Mbeumo's heart seems set on a switch to Old Trafford, but his soon-to-be former boss will be waiting in the wings in case an opportunity presents itself.

As Thomas Frank’s departure from Brentford begins to look increasingly inevitable, club chiefs are now focusing on his successor. The Dane has reportedly agreed a deal to join Tottenham Hotspur, ending his seven-year tenure, which had seen him cement cult hero status among Bees fans.

In another hammer blow, assistant Justin Cochrane is now set to follow Frank to North London. The 43-year-old had been a leading contender to step up to the plate and replace Frank at Brentford, having worked alongside him for three seasons. With Cochrane now seemingly out of frame, chairman Cliff Crown will now look elsewhere.

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Express Sport looks closely at four names in the frame…..

Edin Terzic

If Brentford’s appointment of Frank in 2018 was a risk, given he was previously unproven in English football, the gamble paid off. Therefore, club chiefs could now go down that road again with Edin Terzic still available after leaving Borussia Dortmund 12 months ago.

In that 2023/24 campaign, Terzic led Dortmund to fifth place and qualification for the Champions League. He also led the team to the final of the competition that same season, before duly leaving the club just days after a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid. Another stint in a top European league is likely to tempt him.

Kieran McKenna

Worked wonders to get Ipswich into the Premier League, but this season fell short of keeping them there. However, the opportunity for a swift return to the top flight, with more resources available, could well appeal to the Northern Irish boss.

Having elevated Ipswich on a tight budget and built a favourable relationship with players and fans, McKenna has similar attributes to Frank. The 39-year-old may now be the ideal like-for-like replacement.

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Danny Rohl

Another figure forced to work against the grain financially during his two-year stint at Sheffield Wednesday. With the club now appearing in further turmoil, a departure for the German this summer is expected.

Rohl, 36, has guided the Owls to Championship respectability with a 12th-place finish this season. Charismatic, innovative, and the ability to instil a fighting spirit. Remind you of anyone?

Michael Carrick

Billed as a coach with a big future when he took over at Middlesbrough in October 2022. However, three successive seasons without promotion sounded the death knell for the 43-year-old.

For the Manchester United icon, though, his time is likely to come again. His coaching style is characterised by a strong emphasis on hard work on the training ground and collaborative teamwork. It would be a left-field choice, but an intriguing one.

Outgoing Manchester United star Christian Eriksen has said that Thomas Frank 'should call' if he gets the Tottenham job. Eriksen will be a free agent at the start of July and he is still highly thought of in north London, having spent seven years with Spurs earlier in his career.

The midfielder also has experience of working with Frank, having spent the second half of the 2021/22 season with Brentford, who took a successful punt on him following his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020. And Eriksen believes that former club Tottenham are about to make the right decision by appointing his fellow Dane.

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He said: "I think [Frank] is the right coach for Tottenham. I have had Thomas at various times, and I think he is the perfect match for Tottenham, and it would be great if Thomas takes on that challenge.

"His personality, his way of playing, his way of being. And the club considering where they were last season – they won a trophy of course – but they are in the process of building something up, and I am sure that Thomas is a good man to bring in."

Asked if he's heading back to Tottenham, Eriksen said: "No, not where we are now, so Thomas should call if something happens." And when pushed on whether he had already spoken to Frank, he smiled: "No, no, no."

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United confirmed that Eriksen will leave Old Trafford this summer in the squad update they published earlier this week. The Danish international scored on his final appearance, converting a penalty in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa on the final day of the season.

Eriksen surpassed a century of appearances for the Red Devils, and racked up more than 300 games at Spurs, where he played the best football of his career between 2013 and 2020.

Despite the obvious links connecting Eriksen, Frank and Tottenham, and his cheeky phone call request, the playmaker himself recently made it clear that he would prioritise opportunities away from the Premier League.

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He explained: "I feel like I’ve taken my turn in the Premier League, so I’m looking outside the English borders. It has been a great place for me and my family, and we have been there for many years.

"When I moved from Tottenham to Inter, it wasn’t my plan to go back to England either. After that I’ve been there for three-and-a-half years again, so you should never say never. But my priority is that I have to leave."

Frank is due to be unveiled by Tottenham imminently after an agreement was struck to bring assistant Justin Cochrane with him. Chris Haslam and Joe Newton will also join them to form part of the backroom team.

Thomas Frank is on the brink of being appointed Tottenham Hotspur boss, with all eyes on how the Dane will work alongside the usually demanding Daniel Levy. Frank is set to become the fifth permanent appointment under Levy since Mauricio Pochettino was sacked in 2019, as Spurs look to rebuild following the Ange Postecoglou era.

Even though Postecoglou finished 17th in the Premier League, with 22 defeats across 38 league matches, Frank has a tough act to follow in north London, given the Aussie ended Spurs’ trophy drought. But there is a feeling that Frank is ready to make the step up from mid-table in the Premier League to one with Champions League football, following an impressive stint with Brentford.

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However, even though he’s been credited for his work within Brentford’s data-driven setup during his seven-year stint, Frank hasn’t always been the easiest customer to work with. Instead, according to The Daily Mail, the 51-year-old had opposing views to his chairman while he was in charge of Danish side Brondby.

Frank spent just under three years in charge of Brondby, but his first campaign was complicated by a mid-season takeover, with the soon-to-be Spurs boss not seeing eye to eye with the new owner. His patchy relationship with majority shareholder Jan Bech Andersen came to a head when it was revealed he was posting criticisms about Frank on an online forum under a fake name.

It caused Frank to quit in March 2016, with a move to Brentford following. Frank spent a period of time working as an assistant before stepping into the role permanently following Dean Smith’s departure to Aston Villa.

Despite the animosity, it would appear no bad blood remains between Frank and Andersen, who is still the chairman at Bronby. Speaking to The Mail, he said: “The transition from being a fairly philosophy driven coach for the national youth teams to be a Premier League coach with a limited budget is nothing short of an amazing achievement. His adaptation and pragmatism have been two important factors, and it is fully deserved he now gets a chance at a traditional club like Tottenham.”

Frank will be hoping he’s the one to buck the recent trend of Spurs managers lasting just a couple of years in the job. He’ll be up against it from the off though, not least from a personal point of view, given he’s never managed in the Premier League and Europe at the same time.

Manchester United have already had a busy transfer window, but it’s expected to get even busier. Matheus Cunha penned a deal in the first part of the summer window, with yet more attacking reinforcements being eyed up by the Red Devils.

Additions are expected to continue in the attacking department, with Viktor Gyokeres having emerged as United’s No.1 striker target. They’ve faced competition from Arsenal, but Ruben Amorim appears to be keen to reunite with the man who brought him so much joy at Sporting.

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Then there’s a continued push to sign Bryan Mbeumo, who appears to have snubbed both Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United. As the transfer talk continues to heat up, Express Sport rounds up all of the latest United news.

Viktor Gyokeres twist

In the latest twist to the Gyokeres saga, it’s being reported that the striker would be willing to ‘go on strike’ in order to push through a move away from Sporting. Portuguese outlet Record have sensationally claimed the Swedish international has been left frustrated by Sporting’s demands, with talk that the Lisbon-based outfit are demanding around £70m for the marksman. As such, it’s claimed by the report that Gyokeres has informed them he’ll never play for the club again, having been under the impression he would be available to leave for £60m, including bonuses.

Bryan Mbeumo alternative revealed

If United aren’t able to get a deal over the line for Bryan Mbeumo, they could turn attention to Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo. It’s reported by Sky Sports that the attacker has been on United’s radar for some time, with Tottenham Hotspur also eyeing up the 25-year-old. United have already seen one bid for Mbeumo knocked back, with the expectation that the 20-time English champions will submit another offer. But if their pursuit isn’t successful, Semenyo could represent their Mbeumo alternative.

Spurs plot second transfer hijack

Tottenham have been mooted as Mbeumo’s suitors themselves, with the north London outfit having attempted to hijack the deal. However, it’s claimed Spurs could go head-to-head with United for another transfer target, this time Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney. GIVEMESPORT are reporting Hackney is attracting attention from some of the country’s top talents, including United and Tottenham. The 22-year-old has been named in Lee Carsley’s England U21 squad for this summer’s European Championship, with the expectation being that any movement on his future will have to wait until after the tournament.

Daniel Levy is facing a storm of criticism for dismissing Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, with Melbourne's Lord Mayor Nick Reece insisting he should rethink the sacking. Postecoglou's dismissal comes on the heels of delivering Spurs their first piece of silverware in 17 years, securing the Europa League trophy with a slim victory over Manchester United.

Despite this, the Australian was given the boot due to Tottenham's abysmal Premier League performance, ending up 17th after 22 defeats.

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The North London club is already eyeing Brentford's Thomas Frank as Postecoglou's successor; however, Spurs might have to cough up a hefty £10 million in compensation. Among the voices questioning Levy's decision is Micky van de Ven, who labelled it "strange".

With talks underway between Tottenham and Brentford for Frank, Reece has taken to Instagram to make a heartfelt plea.

"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," the mayor posted online.

Reece pays homage to Postecoglou's legacy, noting his journey from player to coach began in Melbourne, where he left his mark on @southmelbournefc back 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."

Despite knowing chairman Daniel Levy won't reverse his decision, Postecoglou has already attracted interest elsewhere in the Premier League.

Reflecting on his tenure at Tottenham Hotspur, he shared his heartfelt sentiments: "When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur my overriding emotion is one of pride," expressing the honour he felt leading a prestigious English club.

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"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."

He recounted the pinnacle of his stint with Spurs: "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."

Viktor Gyokeres’ relationship with Sporting has reportedly taken a nosedive amid speculation about his future.

Record report that the striker has told the club that he will never play for them again following reports that the higher powers at the Portuguese side are demanding £67million for his services this summer.

Gyokeres is of the understanding that he has a gentleman’s agreement in place which would let him depart for £50m, and the difference in valuations has led the 27-year-old to believe he is being priced out of a move.

Manchester United and Arsenal have both been linked with the ex-Coventry star in recent weeks.

Manchester City have announced the signing of Tijjani Reijnders.

The midfielder has penned a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium following an impressive campaign with AC Milan.

Speaking after completing his move, Reijnders said: “City are one of the biggest teams in the world, with the best coach, world-class players and outstanding facilities. Under Pep Guardiola, City have won so many titles, and I want to help keep that going with a lot more success in the coming years.”

Galatasaray are ‘confident’ about their chances of signing Leroy Sane, reports Fabrizio Romano.

The winger is set to be available as a free agent after snubbing a fresh contract extension offer at Bayern Munich.

Arsenal and Tottenham are among those to be linked with the Germany international as a result, but Galatasaray now appear to be closing in on a deal, with the board and club president both said to be optimistic about getting a green light from the player.

Arsenal have received a major boost in their pursuit of Benjamin Sesko.

The Mirror reports that the RB Leipzig star has snubbed interest from Saudi outfit Al Hilal, despite the prospect of a lucrative contract and the opportunity to feature at the Club World Cup.

Sesko would rather remain in Europe this summer and the Gunners will take plenty of confidence from his decision as they plot a £60million move for the Slovenian.

It emerged previously that Tottenham were considering hijacking Manchester United’s move for Bryan Mbeumo, and they are now considering a second swoop for another target at Old Trafford.

According to GiveMeSport, Spurs have joined United in the race to sign Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney, who will be allowed to leave Riverside Stadium outfit this summer.

Boro are holding out for £20million to part ways with the 22-year-old, though the interest from the likes of United, Tottenham and Aston Villa could also drive their valuation up.

Kevin De Bruyne is now set to join Napoli, reports Fabrizio Romano.

The midfielder has agreed to sign a two-year deal with the Serie A side, with the option of a further year.

The Belgium international left Manchester City at the end of last season and Napoli were quick to open up negotiations, and their efforts have now been awarded.

Bryan Mbeumo finds himself at the centre of a hotly contested battle for his skills, with Tottenham and Manchester United vying for the Brentford forward's signature. As United want him as their next £60million summer acquisition following Matheus Cunha from Wolves, Tottenham are also aiming to sway Mbeumo with the imminent appointment of his current coach.

Thomas Frank is reportedly keen to bring Mbeumo to Spurs and the Cameroon ace faces a crossroads: the lure of Old Trafford or the prospect of Champions League action and a familiar face in Frank at Spurs. In an unexpected twist, ex-United goalkeeper Ben Foster has given his verdict, advising Mbeumo to move to Tottenham. On his Fozcast podcast, he argued that Mbeumo's growth and ambitious drive would best flourish under Frank's Spurs next season.

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"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," said Foster.

"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 turned heads across the Premier League after netting 20 league goals last season, with his seven assists also crucial in Brentford's impressive top-half finish. Despite Newcastle's failed attempt to secure his services in January, the forward remains a hot commodity.

United have tabled two offers for Mbeumo, who has decided that he wants to move to Old Trafford despite the club's shaky start to life under Ruben Amorim. However, with no agreement yet reached with Brentford, Tottenham could swoop in and outpace their rivals for his signature, albeit a Spurs move is thought to be unlikely.

Ex-England goalkeeper Foster has thrown his support behind Mbeumo, predicting he'll make waves wherever he lands next term.

"I'm not questioning Bryan Mbeumo about his ability, about his mentality or about what he's like as a person," Foster added. "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.

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"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 remaining on his contract at Brentford, with the possibility of an additional year. United's proposal is reportedly valued at approximately £150,000-a-week for the player, increasing to £200,000-a-week with add-ons, while Spurs are willing to offer him a basic package of around £130,000-a-week.

Tottenham may be forced to withdraw from a little-known UEFA tournament that they qualified for by winning the Europa League. The north Londoners clinched their first major trophy in 17 years by defeating Manchester United in last month's final. As a result, they will face Champions League winners PSG in the UEFA Super Cup.

The match, which pits the winners of UEFA's two main competitions against each other, will take place at Udinese's stadium in August. Tottenham are guaranteed to play in the Super Cup but their participation in a lesser-known tournament is under threat. By winning the Europa League, they also qualified for the UEFA–CONMEBOL Club Challenge.

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The revamped competition was launched two years ago as a follow-up to the previous Supercopa Euroamericana. It sees the Europa League winners take on the champions of its South American equivalent, the Copa Sudamericana.

This year's winners were Argentine side Racing Club, who are reportedly keen to set up a meeting with Tottenham. However, those in power at UEFA believe it will be difficult to find a slot in which to fit the game, according to football.london.

Tottenham have already scheduled a number of pre-season friendlies, which could make it hard to squeeze in a match against Racing Club. They will face bitter rivals Arsenal at the end of July before travelling to South Korea for a friendly against Newcastle.

From there, they will head to Germany where they will entertain Bayern Munich for the third year in a row. The lack of available space in Tottenham's schedule means they might have to withdraw from the Club Challenge as a result.

They will have a new manager in the dugout for pre-season after Ange Postecoglou was relieved of his duties last week. Thomas Frank is thought to be in advanced talks to take over, with a deal expected to be wrapped up in the coming days.

According to Fabrizio Romano, terms have been agreed with the Dane after a brief period of negotiations. Tottenham are reportedly willing to pay the full value of his release clause, which stands at around £10million.

Frank will be hoping to rectify Tottenham's fortunes in the Premier League after their worst season in recent memory. They finished one place above the relegation zone, losing 22 of their 38 games and winning just 11 times.