Credit: Imago

Matthew Chadder

Sat 9 August 2025 7:40, UK

Thomas Frank is now ready to embark on the daunting task of managing a competitive season for Tottenham – and the Dane has a chance to make history right away.

Spurs will take on Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy, on Wednesday (13 August).

It offers Frank the chance to win a trophy in his first competitive match as Tottenham boss, with the 51-year-old, of course, owing a big thank you to his predecessor, Ange Postecoglou, for this opportunity.

And now that pre-season has come to an end, Tottenham fans know a little bit more about what to expect under Frank against PSG and beyond.

Frank takes a hit as Tottenham are thrashed by Bayern Munich

Tottenham enjoyed a largely positive pre-season under Frank, going unbeaten until it all came crashing down against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Thursday (7 August).

While results aren’t all that important in pre-season, the nature of the 4-0 defeat against Harry Kane and Co. will have no doubt dampened spirits in North London.

Spurs’ pre-season results

• Reading 0-2 Tottenham (19 July)
• Tottenham 2-2 Wycombe Wanderers (26 July)
• Luton Town 0-0 Tottenham (26 July)
• Arsenal 0-1 Tottenham (31 July)
• Tottenham 1-1 Newcastle United (3 August)
• Bayern Munich 4-0 Tottenham (7 August)

Frank’s comments after the defeat were perhaps just as damning, with the Dane hinting to The Independent (8 August) that no new signings were close to being completed.

Frank said, “If we think we can find the right one, one who can improve the team, then he will be signed. If we can’t, then not.”

However, supporters have become accustomed to a lack of transfer activity under Daniel Levy’s chairmanship.

Therefore, this won’t come as a surprise, and the Tottenham faithful will expect Frank to do the best with what he’s got at his disposal.

And despite the disappointing defeat in Bavaria, there are still plenty of positive signs.

• Read More: Tottenham fans will love Stan Collymore’s prediction for the new season

Frank looks set to improve Spurs’ defensive record

For all of the admiration that Postecoglou earned in North London after winning the UEFA Europa League with Tottenham, it would be difficult to find a supporter who will reminisce about the defensive performances under the Australian.

While Postecoglou guided Tottenham to European glory, domestically, the Lilywhites were woeful, particularly when it came to keeping the ball out of their net.

However, that looks set to change under Frank, if pre-season is anything to go by.

Spurs have only conceded seven times in Frank’s first six unofficial games in charge, and four of those goals came in that one disappointing defeat against Bayern.

Tottenham kept three clean sheets in pre-season, including against fierce rivals Arsenal, which is particularly impressive.

While Postecoglou would often rely on Micky van de Ven’s pace to get him out of trouble as he deployed what could only be described as a risky high-line, Frank looks set to keep his back four a little deeper.

In addition, it would be fair to suggest that Tottenham took a host of risks playing out from the back under Postecoglou. Spurs’ play would usually start with Guglielmo Vicario passing it short, evidenced by the Italian’s high passing accuracy in the 2024/25 Premier League season.

However, it looks as though Tottenham are set to be much more direct in their attacking play under Frank.

Against Arsenal, Vicario only boasted a passing accuracy of 46 per cent, mostly because he was playing most of his passes further forward, with the 28-year-old playing 27 long balls against the Gunners, as per Sofascore.

Frank to continue playing a back four at Tottenham

For all of their differences, it does look as though Frank will be playing a similar formation to Postecoglou.

The Dane looks set to continue with a settled back-four that features Vicario behind Cristian Romero and van de Ven at the heart of defence, while Pedro Porro continues as first-choice right back.

Porro was the third-most used player at Tottenham during Postecoglou’s time in charge, and that doesn’t look set to change under Frank.

Djed Spence has been filling in at left-back for the injured Destiny Udogie. However, that could change when the Italian returns to full fitness.

Moving into midfield, it would be fair to suggest that Frank is deploying more of a 4-2-3-1 system rather than the 4-3-3 that Postecoglou would opt for. However, the systems are fairly similar.

Pape Matar Sarr has proven effective under Frank, and the Senegalese-born midfielder looks set to keep his place as an important first-team player, having been the most-used player at Tottenham under Postecoglou.

Sarr’s pre-season

• Appearances: 5
• Goals: 2
• Minutes Played: 350

In addition to Sarr, it seems as though Lucas Bergvall, Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha are set to play plenty of football under Frank.

However, it’s not clear what the future holds for Yves Bissouma, while James Maddison looks set to miss the season.

Wilson Odobert to shine under Frank

It looks as though Mohammed Kudus and Dominic Solanke are set for regular minutes under Frank. Meanwhile, Dejan Kulusevski will be looking to work his way back into the fold when he returns from his lengthy injury.

However, there is certainly a place up for grabs on the left wing, and it looks as though Wilson Odobert could be set to make it his own, with Frank seemingly taking a liking to the youngster.

Odobert struggled in his debut year at Tottenham, missing most of the season through injury.

However, he has looked sharp in pre-season so far. As a result, he could be set to make the left wing position his own, now that Son Heung-min has left Tottenham.

Prediction – Tottenham to finish sixth under Frank

A lot of supporters will, of course, hope Tottenham can qualify for the Champions League next season. However, that shouldn’t be a realistic aim for Frank’s first season in charge.

While Spurs will be playing in Europe’s elite competition next season, there is a lot of ground to make up domestically after finishing 17th in the league.

Therefore, Frank will no doubt be looking to build a more balanced squad, which can compete across several competitions, something he emphasised in his first Tottenham press conference.

Speaking to the media for the first time as Spurs boss, Frank said, “The first aim is that we need to be able to compete in all four tournaments and do it on a consistent level.

“That’s got to be the ambition that we build towards because I think 2019 was the last season where the club managed to compete in more than one competition.”

Frank is spot on.

Tottenham need to become consistent, and if he can push the Lilywhites back to the top six while going on a couple of cup runs, that should be considered a success.

Based on what has been shown in pre-season, there’s no reason the Dane can’t achieve that.

However, this is Tottenham Hotspur Football Club – making any predictions is ultimately a fool’s game.

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