Thomas Frank reveals how he plans to build on Ange Postecoglou's legacy at Tottenham - and hints at Son Heung-min's role amid MLS interest

Daily Mail​

7 days ago

Thomas Frank has revealed how he plans to build on Ange Postecoglou 's legacy at Tottenham - and hinted at a major role for Son Heung-min next season.
Frank made an upbeat appearance on the Men in Blazers YouTube channel and gave supporters an early taster of what he hopes to achieve after taking the job.
The 51-year-old, who spent seven years in charge of Brentford, quickly emerged as Spurs' No 1 candidate to replace Postecoglou after he was sacked despite leading his side to Europa League glory last season - a first major trophy in 17 years.
Keen to hit the ground running, Frank splashed out £55million to sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham. He then presided over a 2-0 victory over Reading in pre-season, before bore draws with League One outfits Wycombe and Luton.
The Dane has also already identified exactly how he will use Postecoglou's eye-catching work over his two campaigns in North London as a foundation.
'First and foremost, I think it's important to say that, Ange and his staff achieved massively by winning the Europa League title,' Frank told Men in Blazers. 'Fantastic.
Frank praised his predecessor's legacy but is keen to strike a greater tactical balance
'First time in 41 years, a European title. I love that. I thought it was a lot of good things that I can use and I can, you know, stand on that foundation and then build from there.
'What I like to add is probably a bit more balance in my view.
'Attacking, defending. and then, of course, I think if you want to achieve something big, we need to be be good in all phases of the game.'
One player set to prove influential under Frank is captain Son, despite him attracting interest from MLS. Mail Sport reported last week that the 33-year-old is wanted by Los Angeles FC, and Spurs would not stand in his way should he choose to leave.
There has been no formal bid tabled but contact has been made.
LAFC are reported to be preparing a deal in the region of £15-20million, which could be enough to tempt Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy into talks.
Son is also in the final year of his contract in Spurs and after scoring 173 goals in his 454 games to date, his status as an undisputed Spurs great is guaranteed.
But Frank showed no indications that Son is on his way out, and revealed he is 'excited' about the role the forward would have next season.
'I think first and foremost, Son's legacy here is remarkable,' Frank added. 'He's been a fantastic player for Tottenham, he is a fantastic player for Tottenham.
'I see a player that that can play a very good role here next season. He's come in, very good mindset, trained very hard, pushed the players. So I'm excited about it.'
Son has been a commercial phenomenon, too, and there is no prospect of him leaving before the pre-season tour to Asia, which features games against Arsenal in Hong Kong on Thursday and Newcastle in Seoul three days later.