Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara believes Brentford boss Thomas Frank is an ‘absolutely fantastic manager’ but not the right replacement for Antonio Conte, speaking to talkSPORT (8 March, 11.25pm).
Spurs supporters could only dream of a run of form the likes of which Brentford are enjoying.
Wednesday’s Champions League exit at the hands of AC Milan followed successive 1-0 defeats at Wolves and Sheffield United. There will be no trophy (again) for Tottenham Hotspur this season; crashing out of two competitions in the space of seven days.
No team in England’s top flight, in contrast, is currently enjoying a longer unbeaten run than Brentford’s.
The Bees, inspired by a masterful Ivan Toney and an industrious Christian Norgaard, gave their hopes of European qualification a major shot in the arm during Monday’s 3-2 win over fellow high-flyers Fulham in West London.
Is Thomas Frank right to replace Antonio Conte at Tottenham Hotspur?
Frank, in the space of two years, has taken Brentford from the Championship to the top-half of the Premier League; stunning the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool along the way.
Is the 49-year-old Dane, one of the most versatile and tactically astute coaches around, ready to make the step up to a giant of a club with big ambitions? O’Hara thinks so. But Tottenham, at this moment, is not quite the right fit; supporters instead pining for a long-lost love.
“I think Thomas Frank is an absolutely fantastic manager. But I think what Tottenham need, right now, is a lift for the fans. And I think (Mauricio) Pochettino is that,” O’Hara says; the Argentine’s name ringing around in the aftermath of that drab European exit.
“I think he is a brilliant manager, and I think he would do well. (But) does Thomas Frank give you a lift?”
Frank, to his credit, has shown little interest in walking away from Brentford. He told the club’s official website as recently as December that there remains plenty more chapters to be written.
As long as the Bees continue to buzz around the European places, however, Dean Smith’s former assistant will continue to attract admirers.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
