Thomas Frank: The Danish coach who could lead England to glory
If you are a fan of English football, you have probably heard of Thomas Frank, the manager of Brentford FC. Frank has been in charge of the Bees since 2018, and has led them to their first ever promotion to the Premier League in 2021. But did you know that Frank is also a candidate to become the next manager of the England national team?
Frank was born in Fredericia, Denmark, in 1973. He started his coaching career at the age of 23, working with youth teams in his hometown. He then moved to Brondby IF, one of the biggest clubs in Denmark, where he worked as an assistant coach and later as the head coach of the reserve team. In 2013, he was appointed as the head coach of the first team, replacing former Arsenal legend John Jensen.
Frank had a successful spell at Brondby, leading them to two second-place finishes and one third-place finish in the Danish Superliga. He also reached the final of the Danish Cup twice, but lost both times to FC Copenhagen. Frank was praised for his attractive and attacking style of play, as well as his ability to develop young players. Some of the stars he coached at Brondby include Christian Norgaard, Andreas Christensen, and Teemu Pukki.
In 2016, Frank left Brondby and joined Brentford as an assistant coach under Dean Smith. He helped Smith guide Brentford to two top-ten finishes in the Championship, before taking over as the head coach in October 2018, following Smith’s departure to Aston Villa. Frank continued the club’s philosophy of playing entertaining and progressive football, while also making smart use of data and analytics to recruit and improve players.
Frank’s first full season at Brentford was a remarkable one. He led the Bees to a third-place finish in the Championship, scoring 80 goals and conceding only 38. They also reached the play-off final, where they faced Fulham at Wembley Stadium. Unfortunately for Frank and his team, they lost 2-1 after extra time, missing out on promotion by a whisker.
However, Frank did not let that setback affect him or his players. He motivated them to bounce back stronger in the 2020-21 season, and they did just that. Brentford finished third again in the Championship, but this time they went all the way in the play-offs. They beat Bournemouth 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-final, and then defeated Swansea City 2-0 in the final at Wembley Stadium. It was a historic moment for Brentford, who secured their first ever promotion to the top flight of English football.
Frank’s achievements at Brentford have not gone unnoticed by the football world. He has been linked with several bigger clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace. He has also been mentioned as a possible successor to Gareth Southgate as the manager of England.
Frank has a lot of qualities that make him a suitable candidate for the England job. He is fluent in English and has a good understanding of the culture and expectations of English football. He has proven himself as a tactician and a motivator, who can adapt his style and system to suit different opponents and situations. He has also shown a knack for developing and nurturing young talent, which is crucial for any national team manager.
Of course, Frank is not without his flaws or challenges. He has never managed at the highest level of club football or international football, which could be a big step up for him. He may also face some resistance or skepticism from some fans or pundits who may question his credentials or experience. He may also have to deal with some pressure or scrutiny from the media or the FA, who may have different opinions or agendas than him.
However, Frank is not someone who shies away from a challenge or an opportunity. He is ambitious and confident in his abilities and vision. He is also loyal and respectful to his current club and contract. He has said that he is happy at Brentford and that he is focused on preparing for their debut season in the Premier League.
Frank may not be the most obvious or popular choice for the England job right now, but he is certainly one of the most intriguing and exciting ones. He has shown that he can work wonders with limited resources and high expectations. He has also shown that he can play attractive and effective football that can win games and hearts.
If Southgate decides to leave or is sacked after the next World Cup or European Championship, Frank could be one of the frontrunners to replace him. And who knows? Maybe he could be the man who finally leads England to glory