Frank's Heartfelt Goodbye: A Piece Remains at Brentford Upon His Transfer to Tottenham
In a heartfelt statement on the Brentford website, Thomas Frank, the former head coach of Brentford Football Club, expressed his deep affection for the club and the community, marking the end of a near seven-year journey that saw him rise from assistant coach to the club's most successful manager.
Frank's tenure began in December 2016, working alongside Richard O'Kelly as assistant head coach. His role initially involved acting as a bridge between players and coaching staff and managing player development, especially overseeing the transition of players between the B team and the first team.
In October 2018, Frank was promoted to head coach following the departure of Dean Smith. He inherited a team facing challenges, including the recent passing of technical director Robert Rowan, and initially struggled with results. However, a tactical shift to a 3–4–3 formation helped stabilize the team. Frank's leadership saw Brentford reach the fifth round of the FA Cup and finish 11th in the Championship in the 2018–19 season.
Over the following seasons, Frank established himself as Brentford's most successful manager, achieving the highest winning percentage in the club's history by October 2020. His tenure culminated in guiding Brentford to promotion to the Premier League, a historic achievement for the club, in 2021. This success underlined his role in transforming Brentford from Championship regulars to top-flight competitors, emphasizing smart player development and innovative tactics.
Frank leaves Brentford as an established Premier League outfit, having led the team to a 10th-place finish in the 2024-25 season, 18 points better off than Tottenham Hotspur, his new employer. Frank's first competitive game as head coach of Tottenham will be on August 13 in the UEFA Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain.
In his statement, Frank considered Matthew Benham, Brentford's owner, as a trusted friend and expressed gratitude for the opportunity in English football. However, he did not mention any reasons for leaving Brentford or any specific achievements or records at Tottenham. He did express his gratitude to the club and the community, considering the relationships built at Brentford as lasting ones.
Frank also considered the contributions of everyone at Brentford as invaluable, stating, "we will meet again in the wonderful world of football." He did not mention any specific plans for the future. Only Harry Curtis (708) and Malky MacDonald (386) have taken charge of more games for Brentford than Frank.
Frank's departure from Brentford marks a new chapter in his managerial career, one that will be closely watched by football fans worldwide. His achievements at Brentford have solidified his reputation as a shrewd tactician and innovative coach, and his move to Tottenham promises to bring fresh energy and ideas to a team looking to reclaim its former glory.
Thomas Frank's tenure at Brentford Football Club saw him guide the team from the Championship to the Premier League, a historic promotion in 2021. Now, as he takes charge of Tottenham Hotspur, Frank will be leading a team in the European leagues, aiming to bring fresh energy and innovative tactics to the Premier League side.
