Aston Villa are interested in Brentford boss Thomas Frank as they look to quickly find a replacement for outgoing boss Dean Smith.
That’s according to The Telegraph, who claim that sporting director Johan Lange is a big fan of his compatriot Frank.
The same goes for Danish national team boss Kasper Hjulmand, with Lange potentially having a huge say on the new Villa boss.
Villa parted ways with Smith on Sunday afternoon after five straight defeats. Friday’s 1-0 defeat at Southampton proved to be the end.
The likes of Ralph Hasenhuttl and Steven Gerrard are already being linked, but Frank offers an intriguing option too.
Who is Villa target Thomas Frank?
Frank, 48, emerged as a coach through the Danish youth system, coaching Denmark’s Under-16’s, Under-17’s and Under-19’s.
After three years in charge of Brondby, Frank ended up heading to Brentford as the assistant to – somewhat ironically – Dean Smith.
Frank eventually replaced Smith in 2018 and guided Brentford to the Premier League last season.
What’s interesting is that Lange has history with Frank from way back at Lyngby. Sky Sports noted that Frank and Lange even used to share an office together with the Danish club.
That relationship may now lead to Villa moving for Frank to replace Smith, even if others may be ahead of him.
It won’t be easy to prise Frank away from Brentford, but if anybody can do it, it may just be Villa man Lange.
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