Tottenham fans are still digesting the surprising decision to part ways with Ange Postecoglou, the manager who finally ended a 17-year trophy drought.
But if that was unexpected, they might be even more stunned by who’s replacing him—and the drastic shift in footballing philosophy that comes with it.
Daniel Levy didn’t just change managers; he’s flipped the tactical script entirely by hiring Thomas Frank.
The Brentford boss is known not for sticking stubbornly to one style, but for adapting like a chameleon—tailoring his approach to each opponent.
A Manager Who Adjusts, Not Preaches
Unlike his predecessor, Frank doesn’t cling to one doctrine.
He doesn’t walk around with a tactical bible etched in stone. Instead, he believes in flexibility.
He once summed it up by saying, “The best managers adapt.”
He believes in building a strong foundation—being pragmatic when necessary—and then layering on more complexity as the team grows in confidence and experience.
That doesn’t mean he lacks identity.
Frank consistently uses terms like “aggressive” and “front-footed” to describe how he wants his teams to play.
But what separates him is his willingness to deviate from the ideal when the situation demands it.
The Tactical Toolbox: From Fours to Fives and Back
One of Frank’s key strengths is knowing when to switch systems.
At Brentford, he wasn’t married to a single formation.
In their Championship days, Brentford thrived with a back four and topped the goal-scoring charts two seasons running.
But when they hit the Premier League, Frank made a bold adjustment—moving to a back five.
That shift paid off.
It made Brentford defensively solid, while still allowing them to be explosive on the counter.
Even Premier League giants struggled to break them down.
In one season, they defeated Man City twice and held their own against the other so-called “Big Six.”
Over time, as Brentford found their footing, Frank began to bring back the back four.
Last season, they used a four-man defense in nearly 90% of their games—mirroring what Spurs did under Ange.
That familiarity should help smooth the transition.
Making the Most of What You’ve Got
At Brentford, Frank wasn’t working with a massive budget.
In fact, they had one of the smallest wage bills in the league.
Still, he managed a top-half finish after selling his top striker, Ivan Toney.
That sort of overperformance is exactly the kind of outcome Daniel Levy dreams about.
Frank thrives in situations where he has to maximize every ounce of talent.
He reads the opponent, customizes his tactics, and gets his players executing highly detailed plans—ones that make the most sense for that particular match.
One week, they’d allow Southampton to dominate possession and then press aggressively to force mistakes.
Another week, they’d play patiently against Bournemouth to avoid getting caught by fast counters.
There’s no one-size-fits-all playbook—just intelligent decision-making.
Tactical Shape-Shifting Based on the Opposition
Brentford under Frank were the masters of “horses for courses” tactics.
When they needed to dominate possession, they did. When they needed to sit deep and strike on the break, they adapted.
Against weaker sides, Brentford could put on a show, whipping in crosses and controlling tempo.
Against elite opponents, they were far more reserved, targeting weaknesses instead of forcing their own strengths.
They weren’t obsessed with possession but were highly efficient with the ball.
They touched the ball more in their own penalty area than almost anyone else, and their keeper, Mark Flekken, had more touches than any other in the league.
Yet they also played long passes and transitioned fast when needed.
Whether pressing high or sitting deep, they adjusted game by game—something Spurs fans will need to get used to after a year of all-out-attack football.
Finding an Edge Through Smart Football
Brentford’s success wasn’t just about tactics—it was about using data to stay one step ahead.
With club owner Matthew Benham’s analytics-driven approach, Frank had all the tools to build strategies based on cold, hard evidence.
Brentford didn’t just shoot from anywhere—they made sure their shots came from dangerous areas.
They had the highest average xG per shot and allowed the lowest xG per shot on defense.
That’s an ideal combination: create high-quality chances and limit your opponent’s best looks.
It’s no coincidence that most of Brentford’s shots came from within the box, while they forced opponents to shoot from distance.
Spurs, on the other hand, often allowed opponents to get dangerously close.
Frank also emphasized set-pieces—something Tottenham has underused.
Brentford have scored 59 set-piece goals since their promotion, just behind Arsenal, Liverpool, and City.
Spurs? Just 47.
Brentford even turned throw-ins into threats, scoring 12 goals from them—more than double any other team.
Pressing with Purpose, Not Panic
Unlike Ange’s relentless high press—which sometimes left Spurs looking like headless chickens—Frank’s Brentford pressed smart.
They didn’t chase the ball endlessly, but they knew exactly when to strike.
Brentford sat mid-table for high pressing attempts, but ranked near the top for actually winning the ball back.
They pressed with intent, not just intensity.
Amazingly, they applied around 500 fewer pressures than Spurs over the season—but still won the ball more often in the final third.
That’s a level of efficiency Tottenham would do well to adopt.
Always a Plan (Or Three)
While Postecoglou often stuck with Plan A even when things weren’t working, Frank is a master of contingency.
He’s talked openly about having layered game plans. If his initial strategy isn’t clicking, he has Plan A-B.
If they go behind, there’s a Plan B, complete with pre-planned substitutions and formations ready to roll out.
Nothing is left to chance.
This kind of foresight will be crucial for Spurs, especially with European football on the calendar again.
Can It Work at Tottenham?
Frank’s Brentford system seems like a good match for Spurs’ current squad.
Players like James Maddison can fill the creative role that Mikkel Damsgaard played at Brentford, linking midfield and attack.
Son Heung-min and Brennan Johnson offer pace and movement up top, which Frank thrives on.
The challenge? Time.
At Brentford, Frank had full weeks to prepare and drill tactics.
At Spurs—with Champions League games crowding the schedule—he won’t have that luxury.
Everything will need to move faster, be more efficient, and be absorbed more quickly by the players.
Luckily, this Spurs squad is young, energetic, and adaptable—just the kind of group Frank loves to work with.
So, What’s Next?
Tottenham’s appointment of Thomas Frank signals a total tactical reboot.
But it’s one rooted in smart decision-making, not wild experimentation.
If the players can adapt quickly, Spurs could become not only more versatile, but more efficient, calculated, and harder to beat.
It’s a gamble—but one that might just pay off.