Thomas Frank (52), the manager, has taken over at Tottenham Hotspur. Ahead of the new head coach's debut, a mountain of tasks awaits him on his desk, including the future of Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham).
Football London reported on the 16th (Korean time) that "New Tottenham manager Frank has commenced serious preparations for the season. From player composition to the determination of key player futures and managing fan sentiment regarding the coaching change, his 'to-do list' that starts right now is certainly not light."
Leaving Brentford for Tottenham... It’s time to build a team fit for the Champions League
Frank achieved impressive results in the Premier League while leading Brentford for six years. Tottenham offered Frank a three-year contract, and he took over as the successor to manager Ange Postecoglou. Now his mission is to elevate the team from a 'mid-to-upper table Premier League team' to one that meets the standards of a 'Champions League qualifying team.'
He is expected to lead the summer transfer market in collaboration with Director General Johan Lange, a fellow national. The two have a deep connection since their time in the Danish league, and Lange has kept an eye on Frank since his days at Aston Villa.
Frank has already agreed to the permanent signing of Mathias Jensen. According to Football London, he highly values Jensen's capabilities and believes he can excel even more in his system. In particular, Frank's tactics grant wide attackers the freedom to cut into the center, which is analyzed as a suitable style for Jensen.
Direct phone calls to Mbeumo and Wissa? Signing former students is also Frank’s role
Tottenham is closely monitoring Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. Having spent a considerable amount of time with both players, Frank could offer a 'decisive word' if the transfer rumors become reality. Additionally, direct communication with external players who may become future signings is another key duty for Frank.
Former manager Postecoglou attracted many players through persuasive communication, and Frank is also known as a leader with a 'persuasive' style. With the added appeal of qualifying for the Champions League, he could play a significant role in the recruitment process.
In the process of forming the coaching staff… The fate of existing staff is also a topic of discussion
Frank brought key coaches from Brentford, including Justin Cochrane, Chris Haslam, and Joe Newton, to Tottenham. Andreas Georgson, who previously worked at Manchester United, will also join.
The fates of Matt Wells and Rob Birch, who were part of the staff during the Postecoglou era, remain undecided. In particular, Wells has a history of working with Cochrane at the Tottenham youth team, and Birch is well regarded within the club. Frank is expected to make careful decisions about their inclusion.
Along with this, Stuart Lewis, who lifted three trophies with the U-18 team over the last three years, is also seen as a candidate for promotion to the first team coaching staff. His youth development skills are highly valued within the club.
Son Heung-min and Romero need a 'fateful conversation'
One of the most important tasks is to meet with the team’s key players. In particular, captain Son Heung-min and vice-captain Cristian Romero hold significant positions in terms of club symbolism and performance.
Football London reported that "As reported last week, Son Heung-min has shown a more open attitude toward a transfer this summer." This indicates that following the long-awaited victory in the Europa League, the player is also considering a new challenge. He currently has one year left on his contract and did not clarify his future in a recent interview with domestic media.
Romero is also at a crossroads. Football London highlighted that "He has consistently expressed his intention to transfer to La Liga, and after maintaining silence following Postecoglou's dismissal, he posted on social media shortly after Frank's appointment was announced."
The media reported that "This may be interpreted as a lack of trust in the club or Frank. Romero has two years remaining on his contract, and it is expected that Tottenham will demand a hefty transfer fee, making it unlikely for him to leave immediately."
Quick adaptation is key… Fans may chant 'Frank out' from the opening match
Frank must deliver results from the beginning of his tenure. This environment is entirely different from Brentford. He lost eight of the first ten matches at Brentford but achieved a turnaround after some waiting. However, Tottenham is a club that changes managers on average every 18 months, and many fans were disappointed with Postecoglou's dismissal. He needs to quickly implement tactics and gain trust during the summer preseason.
According to Football London, Frank’s experience with European competitions has been limited to just ten qualifying matches in the Europa League ten years ago. Having also failed to achieve results in the FA Cup, the first test for the club and fans regarding 'competitiveness across all competitions' is expected to be the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain in August.
Both transfers and releases... the dilemmas continue
In addition to Son Heung-min and Romero, there are many players whom Frank must decide upon. Football London pointed out that "Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma are approaching the end of their contracts, and offers for Richarlison may also arise. Additionally, the futures of the returning loan players such as Manor Solomon, Bryan Hill, and Alejo Bellis must also be determined."
The utilization of promising players like Luka Buskovic, Yang Min-hyeok, Ashley Phillips, Jamie Donnelly, and Alfie Dorrington is also a matter of consideration. According to reports, Frank plans to offer some of them opportunities during preseason and will make decisions regarding their loans afterward.
Now, Frank must settle at Spurs’ training ground, Hotspur Way, and reimagine the future of the team. He has taken on the task of replacing a head coach who led a championship-winning team, not just a simple 'manager change.'
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