Thomas Frank ready to take first steps in Tottenham 'fairytale'
Thomas Frank called his appointment as Tottenham head coach "a fairytale" as he emphasised the need for unity after a turbulent season for the club.
Speaking for the first time since replacing Ange Postecoglou – who was sacked just weeks after delivering Spurs their first trophy in 17 years – the former Brentford boss said there would need to be "alignment" among the club's hierarchy, including with chairman Daniel Levy, if the team is to build on their Europa League triumph.
Spurs will play in the Champions League for the first time since 2022 courtesy of victory over Manchester United in Bilbao in May, despite recording their lowest finish of 17th in the Premier League.
It was this fact, together with 22 league defeats, that persuaded Levy to dismiss Postecoglou and turn to Frank.
"I've only heard good stuff about all the people here, the training ground, the players," Frank told the club's website. "It's a good squad. It's an exciting, massive club with massive potential. So, it's just super, super exciting.
"I had very good conversations and meetings with Daniel Levy, (chief executive) Vinai Venkatesham and (technical director) Johan Lange where we discussed everything in depth, details about the club structure, processes, and of course I came with my views on things, how I saw it, my ideas, and the way I want to do things and how I try to build a team and a club."
There has been open hostility between Levy and supporters in recent seasons with fans largely directing their ire at the chairman rather than Postecoglou last season as the defeats mounted.
Levy has at different times been accused of failing to invest in the team and has been blamed for the club's apparent drift since they reached the Champions League final in 2019.
Frank is Spurs' fifth permanent appointment since Mauricio Pochettino, who led them to that final in Madrid, was sacked five months later.
"If you want to do something quick, you can go alone," said Frank, who led Brentford to 10th place last season following finishes of 13th, ninth and 16th in their three previous Premier League seasons. He also brought them into the top flight via the play-offs in 2021.
"If you want to do something big or achieve something big, you go together. So, it's definitely about doing things together – me, the staff, the players.
"I think alignment is key, from top to bottom. Of course it starts from Daniel, Vinai, Johan, and me, and the more the four of us can be aligned, just like a unit, an unbreakable unit, the stronger we'll be.
"There'll be ups and downs. Right now, it's a fairytale. Everyone's happy, the sun is shining, it's fantastic."
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