Thomas Frank has revealed that he held constructive talks with Tottenham Hotspur’s owners following Daniel Levy’s sudden departure and hopes that he will be given a say in the club’s long-term strategy.
Frank insisted it has been business as usual since the ruthless removal of Levy as chair last week and the decision by the Lewis family, who own Spurs, to put a new leadership team in place. Change has come quickly, but Frank is confident that the transition will be smooth over the next few months.
“I’ve spoken to a few from the Lewis family and Peter Charrington, the new non-exec chairman,” said the head coach. “I also spoke to him before – he was on the board. So there’s been good, constructive conversations and I feel the backing and they’re happy.
“I think it’s fair to say things have gone quite quickly, so I’m also quite convinced that the next couple of months I will be more aware of the future plans. Hopefully we will make them together. I think that’s the best way to do it. Everything I sense, I feel and I’ve been told is positivity and backing.”
Frank was only appointed by Spurs in June, meaning he had little experience of working with Levy. “It’s not that Daniel was out there on the training pitch or in the meeting rooms,” the former Brentford manager said. “It is basically business as usual for me. I don’t think it has changed too much for me personally so far. Of course there are people who have worked with Daniel for so much longer. It is most likely more different for them.”
Members of the Lewis family are expected to be in attendance when Spurs visit West Ham on Saturday evening. There has been talk of greater transparency from the board and a bigger focus on sporting success. “It’s very important to be transparent and to be clear,” Frank said. “What we are dealing with, what is the ambition, can we adjust expectations, are we on the same page, what is the strategy, are we aligned – that’s absolutely crucial.
“That was pretty clear since I’ve been appointed and through the transfer window, what are the targets, how did we want to do things, so that’s been good and I expect it to be good.
“I think we all want to win as much as possible. I’d say we had a fine window and I’m pretty sure we know where we are in the food chain and what we’re competing against. From now we need to build and compete.”
Frank said there could be debuts in attack for Randal Kolo Muani and Xavi Simons against West Ham. He added that Kolo Muani has not been signed because of concerns over the ankle issue that will prevent Dominic Solanke from making the trip to the London Stadium.
Frank also backed Mohammed Kudus to deal with a hostile reception from the home crowd when the winger faces West Ham for the first time since leaving them last summer.
