Thomas Frank happy to win ugly on return to scene of his magic moments

Tottenham's head coach Thomas Frank Pic: AP Photo/Ian Walton 

Thomas Frank is thankful for the chance to say goodbye to Brentford on New Year’s Day – but he will target another “beautiful, ugly win” for Tottenham.

Frank spent six and a half years as head coach of the west London club and first joined in 2016 as part of Dean Smith’s backroom staff before making a summer departure to Spurs in 2025.

Even though Frank hosted Brentford at Tottenham at the start of December and masterminded a 2-0 victory, this will be his first return to Gtech Community Stadium, with the occasion allowing the 52-year-old to reminisce about his “magical moments” with the Bees on Tuesday.

“Yeah, definitely (a chance to say goodbye),” Frank acknowledged before Thursday’s trip across the capital.

“For players or managers, you can be there for many, many years and then suddenly you are sold, or sacked or can stop or whatever, but you never really get the opportunity the next day to come in and say goodbye, which was the same in Brentford.

“Even though I was there for so many years, because then we were on holiday, we were between season and when I came back, they had started up and so you can’t do it with respect.

“Even though I have a great relationship with Keith (Andrews) and we respect each other a lot, we speak together and all that, but you can’t really walk into the club (to say goodbye) because it’s a little bit odd in many ways.

“You know the relationship you’ve created with people, of course I still have friendships there and will have that forever.

“There are many magical moments it was a privilege to be part of with fantastic people.

“Of course the promotion is the standout achievement. Getting promoted to the best league in the world, for first time in 74 years or something like that, that’s very unique. That is pure happiness in one day probably.” 

Frank remembered when his old boss Smith went back to Brentford in 2019, months after he left to take charge of Aston Villa.

He admitted: “That was a little bit the same. You know, Dean had done a top job.

“Yeah, he did very, very well and then he got the opportunity to go to Villa. I got the opportunity to take a step up (as head coach), so I remember that clearly was a special day in many ways.” 

Smith earned a warm reception and Frank can expect similar, but despite being greeted with compliments upon meeting separate Brentford and Tottenham fans in Covent Garden on Monday, the Spurs boss knows more positive results are required after a gritty 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

“It was a beautiful, ugly win,” Frank beamed.

“I think every good team needs to be able to do that and as I said, we are building something. I think it’s also fair to say we are not where City or Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool are right now unfortunately.

“We really want to be there, but even them, they need to win some ugly wins sometimes where they’re winning 1-0. How many times have Arsenal won 1-0 on a set-piece this season? So, we need to be able to do that.

“And I know it will be a very difficult team at Brentford. I am part of creating what I know I am facing.”