Thomas Frank wants to take Tottenham back to a level they have not hit since Mauricio Pochettino’s Champions League-chasing side of 2019 – and his message ahead of the new season makes that clear.
Tottenham Hotspur supporters would finally get a glimpse of what is to come in the next three seasons when Thomas Frank’s Spurs outfit takes to the field against Reading on Saturday.
This friendly clash would mark Frank’s first game as Spurs boss and the first time Tottenham would take to the pitch since the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
While the previous League campaign was nothing but horrendous under Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham ultimately ended the 24/25 season on a high, after winning the Europa League and bringing an end to their 17-year wait for a major honour.
Thomas Frank targets 2019-level success for Tottenham
In Frank’s eyes, Ange Postecoglou remains a legend of Tottenham Hotspur, a sentiment that many Spurs fans also share and continue to hold close.
However, when speaking about what he expects from his side next term, Thomas Frank was quick to reference Spurs’ 2019 campaign under former boss Mauricio Pochettino.
That was the season Tottenham reached the UEFA Champions League final, although they eventually fell short against Liverpool.
Frank believes that if his current Spurs squad can compete on all fronts just as Pochettino’s side did during that term, it would be a sign of real progress.
He told football.london: “I think it was extremely positive that they won [Europa League final]. The first aim is that we need to be able to compete in all four competitions. That has to be the aim. I think 2019 was the last time they managed to compete in different competition.”
Spurs squad rebuild key for Thomas Frank to emulate Pochettino
If Frank is to compete just like Tottenham did back in 2019, he would need to strengthen his current Tottenham squad across the board.
The Dane has already begun that process, with the club completing the signings of Mohammed Kudus, Kota Takai and Mathys Tel.
Morgan Gibbs-White is expected to come through the door, although the transfer has been delayed by Nottingham Forest.
While all are promising additions, more reinforcements are still needed on this side, as Tottenham continue to search for a holding midfielder, a forward and potentially a full-back.
Pochettino’s squad back then boasted world-class players in nearly every department, from Harry Kane and Heung-min Son in attack, to Moussa Dembele and Christian Eriksen in midfield, and a solid centre-back pairing of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld. Such quality and depth will be crucial if Frank is to match or even surpass that level.
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