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Thomas Frank - Head Coach

stinkfoot said:
The embargoed section is also great. I’m really enjoying listing to him.

In the earlier one he accidentally called it a “meeting” but in some parts it’s like we’re his coaches and he’s in front of a board 😄
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It looks like you’ve shared a press conference transcript with Spurs manager Thomas Frank (formerly Brentford), covering a wide range of topics — player development, transfers, team culture, and squad building. Here’s a structured breakdown of the main themes he touched on:



🔹 Jed Spence & Player Development​


  • Frank notes Jed’s growth and athletic qualities.
  • Praises his defensive ability (vs PSG, Burnley, City) and attacking runs.
  • Values his versatility (left & right side).
  • Emphasizes how quickly football changes for players — performance brings opportunity.


🔹 Team Culture & “No dingdonghead Policy”​


  • Cites the New Zealand rugby team’s philosophy.
  • Believes most players aren’t “bad people,” just need proper guidance.
  • Says ego is natural and necessary, but must be balanced with humility.
  • Best cultures are player-driven, not just manager-driven.


🔹 Squad Building for Modern Football​


  • Ideal model: 20 outfield + 3 goalkeepers.
  • Balance between depth & keeping players happy with enough minutes.
  • Injuries play a big role in planning — too many last year.
  • Rotation is “an art” and key to surviving a 60+ game season.


🔹 Central Defense​


  • Acknowledges Vuskovic may leave.
  • Current main CBs: Micky van de Ven, Danso, with Ben Davies as cover.
  • Young defender “CQ Young” training with team.
  • Djed Spence (Derson?) expected back in a couple months.


🔹 Striker Situation​


  • Richarlison is undroppable right now due to form & goals.
  • Dominic Solanke is still valued — both needed for 60+ games.
  • World Cup consideration for Dom is “far away” — club form comes first.


🔹 Player Recruitment & Motivation​


  • Wants only players who truly want to be at Tottenham.
  • When recruiting, he is direct but also sells the project.
  • Players must also “sign off” on the vision.
  • Takes character references seriously, though culture can help integrate players.


🔹 Ego & Humility​


  • Good ego = drive and confidence.
  • Bad ego = when it controls you and disrupts the team.
  • Wants players “confident but humble” — work hard, respect team, but step onto pitch with belief.


🔹 Transfer Window Compared to Brentford​


  • Similar process, but at Spurs the pool of targets is smaller and more elite.
  • Fewer truly top players available; competition with other big clubs is intense.
  • Spurs’ process involves more people, so more work than at Brentford.
  • Finds the transfer window stressful but manageable — prefers coaching.


✅ Overall, Frank comes across as pragmatic, culture-driven, and focused on balance: managing egos, building squad depth without overstocking, and maintaining humility in pursuit of elite performance
 
I think what we’re learning is that Frank’s defensive system is way more pragmatic. My bug bear last season was the obsession with offside especially in deep areas. You could see that all the players cognition was focused on deciding where the line was and sticking to it even if that meant not getting touch tight or doing natural defensive things like dropping in and sweeping. This system seems way more natural to the players, especially our captain. Obviously the double pivot shield makes such a difference as well.

I’m already feeling that rotation of players will now come more naturally because of the system.
 
Gazza Dazzla said:
Yea rather than just a give a stock answer or cliche it’s like he actually wants to respond with something meaningful.

Not sure I’d have the patience to do that in these pressers.
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His expansion on the 'no dingdongheads policy ' is very good.

I think the 'references' we've been taking and the digging into a players personality and character have preceded Franks arrival. Probably since Paratici has been involved (not saying he instigated it)...more likely a reaction to being burnt by Ndombele.

But there is definitely an edge to be gained there....and I think we have made so many signings that look super strong mentally and in attitude.
 
Disappointed at his substitutions yesterday.... far too late in the game. Johnson, Richarlison and probably Porro should have been hooked at half time and replaced with Odobert, Tel and Udogie.

Hell... even Dale Scarlett would have given something more than Richi....
 
Mabspurs said:
Disappointed at his substitutions yesterday.... far too late in the game. Johnson, Richarlison and probably Porro should have been hooked at half time and replaced with Odobert, Tel and Udogie.

Hell... even Dale Scarlett would have given something more than Richi....
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Don't think Tel or Udogie make much of a difference earlier. Odobert maybe a bit, but not by much. He's not that player yet at least.
 
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