The Athletic FC Podcast: Why Do Spurs Want Thomas Frank?
Release Date: June 9, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, host Adam Leventhal delves into the recent managerial upheaval at Tottenham Hotspur. Following the club's landmark victory in the Europa League, ending a 17-year trophy drought, Spurs have parted ways with Ange Postecoglou. The episode explores the reasons behind this decision and discusses the potential appointment of Thomas Frank as the new head coach. Joining Adam are esteemed guests Jay Harris, Tottenham Hotspur writer, and Seb Stafford Bloor, a seasoned football analyst.

Ange Postecoglou’s Departure

The podcast opens with reflections on Ange Postecoglou's tenure at Spurs. Seb Stafford Bloor shares his mixed feelings about the manager's exit:

“A little lost and conflicted because obviously I think for anybody roughly my age... Ange Postecogli will forever be associated with one of the high points of my Tottenham sporting life.”
[02:49]

While acknowledging Postecoglou's achievement in securing the Europa League, Seb emphasizes the underlying frustrations stemming from the team's poor league performance:

“Since that game [Spurs’ 4-1 defeat to Chelsea in November 2023], I think spurs have played 66 games in the Premier League, lost 34 times and taken 78 points... that's the third worst record in that time.”
[04:28]

Jay Harris adds a personal touch, sharing the emotional weight the trophy victory holds for supporters:

“When the full-time whistle went in Bilbao, a lot of Tottenham fans just burst into tears... it's very difficult to make a rational decision to have time for the kind of... 17th in the Premier League. I get it, I get it.”
[06:33]

Balancing Emotion and Club Strategy

Seb delves deeper into the dilemma faced by Spurs' management:

“What matters more to you? Winning success, a football club... or being community, being associated and entwined with great moments in your life.”
[08:55]

He underscores the complex decision-making process where emotional highs from winning are weighed against consistent league performances. Adam Leventhal relates this to his experience as a Watford fan, highlighting how a single trophy can transcend the usual footballing concerns.

The Role of Daniel Levy and Club Management

The conversation shifts to Daniel Levy's role in the decision to sack Postecoglou. Seb praises Levy's business acumen:

“I can't think of many occasions where Daniel Levy has made emotional decisions. Everything is a business decision...”
[12:56]

He speculates that Levy's decision to part ways with Postecoglou was influenced by the need to reset and avoid long-term financial strains:

“Hitting the reset button now allows Spurs to kinda revert to more of a type you don't have to go out and spend now because it's just another rebuild...”
[14:26]

Player Reactions and Managerial Relationships

Postecoglou's departure elicited strong reactions from key Spurs players. Seb highlights the support shown by players like Son Heung-Min and James Maddison:

“Guglielmo Vicario... said that from that very first call, Ange always showed so much belief in me.”
[17:06]

Despite reports of Postecoglou's detached management style, he managed to build strong bonds with certain players, fostering loyalty and mutual respect.

Potential Appointment of Thomas Frank

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Thomas Frank, currently Brentford's head coach, as the leading candidate to replace Postecoglou. Seb provides an in-depth analysis of Frank's suitability:

“Frank's tactically flexible... He uses whatever's at his disposal. He's not a football snob.”
[28:36]

However, he also raises concerns about Frank's lack of experience in European competitions and the challenges of transitioning from Brentford's structured environment to Spurs':

“Brentford are an incredibly well-run club... has he succeeded because he's a fantastic manager in a fantastic environment or is he a good manager in a fantastic environment?”
[30:10]

Jay Harris adds perspective on Spurs' recruitment strategies and the alignment between club departments, emphasizing the importance of a cohesive vision for Frank's potential tenure.

Challenges Ahead for Thomas Frank

Seb outlines the hurdles Frank might face at Spurs, including high expectations and the pressure to deliver immediate results:

“If you can deliver pretty quickly, if you can show competence, flexibility, tactical acumen... Ange Postecogli becomes this sort of historic legacy figure...”
[38:13]

He also touches upon the potential influence Frank could have on player acquisitions and squad development, drawing parallels with his time at Brentford.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, both guests express cautious optimism about Spurs' future under Thomas Frank. Seb remains intrigued by Frank's ability to manage both upwards and downwards within the club hierarchy, while Jay emphasizes the importance of alignment and belief across all departments.

“It's going to be hard... but if you can deliver pretty quickly, I think people get on board very, very quickly.”
[40:48]

Adam concludes by acknowledging the complexities of the managerial change and reiterates the significance of this transition for Tottenham Hotspur’s future trajectory.

Key Takeaways

• Ange Postecoglou's Legacy: Despite winning the Europa League, Postecoglou's departure underscores ongoing frustrations with Spurs' league performance.

• Daniel Levy’s Strategic Decisions: Emphasizes business-oriented decisions aimed at long-term stability over short-term emotional successes.

• Thomas Frank as a Contender: While Frank's tactical flexibility and success at Brentford make him a strong candidate, questions remain about his adaptability to Spurs' unique challenges.

• Player Loyalty and Club Culture: Strong bonds between Postecoglou and key players highlight the importance of managerial relationships in team dynamics.

• Future Outlook: Spurs face a pivotal moment requiring cohesive club alignment and effective leadership to navigate the transition successfully.

Notable Quotes

1. Seb Stafford Bloor on Postecoglou’s Impact:
   “Postecogli's gone into the pantheon of Spurs greats. He's done something which nobody thought he could do.”
   [04:28]

2. Jay Harris on Emotional Significance of Victory:
   “17 years, you've won a trophy for the first time, but you finished 17th. You lost 22 Premier League games. That's unforgivable.”
   [06:33]

3. Seb Stafford Bloor on Thomas Frank’s Management Style:
   “Frank's tactically flexible... He uses whatever's at his disposal. He's not a football snob.”
   [28:36]

4. Seb Stafford Bloor on Club Alignment:
   “The conversation in football should never really be about is data good or not. It's not the right question.”
   [32:15]

Final Thoughts

This episode provides a comprehensive exploration of Tottenham Hotspur's recent managerial change, balancing emotional narratives with strategic analysis. Listeners gain valuable insights into the complexities of football management, the interplay between club leadership and player dynamics, and the challenges that lie ahead for Thomas Frank should he assume the role of Spurs' head coach.