Tottenham Hotspur Aims for Four Titles Under Thomas Frank

Tottenham Hotspur’s new manager, Thomas Frank, has expressed confidence that the club is poised to compete for four trophies this season. In an interview at the club’s training ground in north London, Frank stated, “That’s one aim, and that is to prepare the team and the players to be able to do it in every title bid.”

With the summer transfer window closing on September 1, 2023, Frank acknowledged the importance of squad depth. He remarked, “I think we have a good squad. I want good enough players that are robust so we don’t need too big a squad. So that’s always a fine balance.”

Tottenham will compete in the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup this season. Their participation in the Champions League comes after winning the Europa League last season, marking the club’s first trophy in 17 years. Despite their success in Europe, Spurs experienced a turbulent league campaign last year, finishing a disappointing 17th in the Premier League, which resulted in significant changes within the club, including Frank’s appointment after leaving Brentford.

Frank, who has not yet managed in a full European campaign, was chosen for his record at Brentford, where he consistently exceeded expectations. The club describes him as “one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game.” Early signs of success under his leadership include winning both of their opening league matches, with a decisive 3-0 victory against newly promoted Burnley and a 2-0 win over Manchester City.

In his first competitive match for Spurs, Frank’s team drew 2-2 with Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup, ultimately losing in a penalty shootout. Notably, the team appears more defensively solid, despite retaining the same back line from the previous season.

Frank described his initial experience at Tottenham as “super exciting” and acknowledged the heightened attention that comes with managing a club in the “Big Six.” “There is more attention on Tottenham than I was used to at Brentford,” he said. “But I would like to say that it’s not affecting me too much, because I just try to focus on what’s happening out there on the pitches.”

As the Champions League draw approaches, Frank expressed optimism about the matchups, stating, “I hope for a good draw.” He added that facing FC Copenhagen would be personally fulfilling, given his roots in Denmark. In a fortunate turn of events, Spurs were indeed drawn against FC Copenhagen, along with other notable teams such as Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, and Villarreal.

In the League Cup, Tottenham will host League One side Doncaster Rovers in the third round, a favorable opportunity to rest key players. Frank emphasized the need for squad rotation throughout what is anticipated to be a demanding season, noting, “No team can win big things with only playing 11 or the same 11 players.”

This summer, Tottenham bolstered their squad by signing forward Mohammed Kudus from West Ham and defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich. The club also added Kota Takai, a young defender, although he is not expected to feature prominently in the first team.

With injuries to attacking midfielders James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, Tottenham has sought to strengthen its roster. Despite two unsuccessful attempts to sign England internationals Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, Frank remains optimistic about enhancing the squad before the transfer deadline.

Additionally, the club’s Asian fanbase, largely thanks to former captain Son Heung-min, remains a crucial aspect of Spurs’ global identity. Following Son’s move to Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC earlier this month, Frank acknowledged the potential impact on support in Asia. “I understand that. But I hope the fans we have now are super excited about Spurs in general, no matter what nationality is playing in the team,” he said.

Tottenham’s pre-season tours have increasingly focused on Asia, with visits to South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and Australia in recent years. Frank emphasized the importance of engaging with fans across various regions, stating, “We want all the fans we can get, we want it from all parts of the world.”

As Tottenham embarks on a new chapter under Thomas Frank, the club aims to make a significant impact across multiple competitions, fostering hope among fans for a successful season ahead.