Credit: Imago

Evan Shaw

Thu 12 June 2025 15:30, UK

Daniel Levy made a hugely important decision when he opted to sack Ange Postecoglou after Tottenham’s Europa League triumph.

Spurs have been subject to trophy-related jibes for years from opposition supporters, but Levy’s decision that Postecoglou’s European exploits couldn’t overshadow a woeful domestic campaign indicated that the Spurs chief is striving to achieve progress on all fronts for the club.

With the Australian now gone, and talks to appoint Thomas Frank as his successor now in their advanced stages, Levy appears to have made another seismic decision for the future of the club.

Thomas Frank is a total U-turn from Ange Postecoglou

Postecoglou cut a divisive figure at times during his two-year stint at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. While some liked his somewhat brash and abrasive character, he drew regular criticism from others, who didn’t like the way he approached probes from the media and elsewhere.

The former Celtic boss’ style of football was equally as polarising. At times, particularly in the early stages of his tenure, Spurs played a refreshing, high-tempo game that made them a fantastic watch for a neutral.

However, as time wore on that style was exposed over and over again, and the unwavering commitment to his ideology is arguably one of the main reasons for Postecoglou’s downfall.

Nevertheless, it would have been easy for Levy to stick with the 59-year-old, given that he has just delivered the club’s first major trophy in 17 years.

However, the Tottenham chief has instead embarked on a decision which could completely alter the feel in N17 over the next few seasons.

The deal to appoint Frank is all but finalised, according to David Ornstein (12 June), and the Dane simply couldn’t be more different from his predecessor.

He is a measured and calculated personality, and someone who is the total opposite of Postecoglou as a person.

Similarly, one of the main hallmarks of his coaching is his pragmatism and his adaptability, two things that Tottenham desperately lacked in Postecoglou. As a result, Frank’s presence will surely bring plenty of changes to the club.

Frank could be a huge success at Tottenham

Frank’s Brentford side were not what you would consider a long-ball team by any means. They have technically gifted players throughout their ranks, and favour the ball being on the floor wherever possible.

However, they also possess an adaptability like few else in the Premier League at the moment.

For all Brentford’s desire to play technical, and free-flowing football, only three teams played more long balls than the Bees this season. They are willing to play whatever style is needed in order to win that particular game, and that is something that should stand Frank in particularly good stead at Tottenham.

Postecoglou’s criticism often centred around the lack of a ‘Plan B’, but that is unlikely to be the case with Frank.

The 51-year-old has continually helped Brentford to punch above their weight in the top-flight, and has done so despite losing several of his key players as the seasons have progressed.

He is a manager who is definitely ready to take the next step and take charge of one of the country’s top clubs, and he could well reward Levy for his bold decision-making.