Thomas Frank responds to Manchester United manager links after Erik ten Hag sacked
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Thomas Frank expressed that he feels “extremely content” at Brentford, but he hasn’t completely dismissed the idea of moving on from the club in the future if a compelling “opportunity” arises, especially following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal from Manchester United.
Since leading Brentford to the Premier League, Frank has earned a reputation as one of the most creative coaches in Europe. He was said to be among several managers who had discussions with United during the summer as the club explored possible successors for Ten Hag.
Instead, United chose to support Ten Hag by activating a one-year contract extension. However, the team's performance did not get any better, and the Dutch coach was let go on Monday after the club experienced its worst beginning to a Premier League season.
United's football operations team also engaged in conversations with coaches like Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino before deciding to continue with Ten Hag. However, both coaches have now accepted new positions in England and the United States, respectively.
Frank is among several candidates being considered for the United position as the club looks for a permanent replacement. Ruud van Nistelrooy is stepping in temporarily as the coach in preparation for Wednesday's Carabao Cup match against Leicester.
Frank, who is 51 years old, is the second longest-tenured manager in the Premier League, following Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The Danish coach mentioned that he is concentrating on Brentford as the team prepares for their Carabao Cup match against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night.
When Frank was asked about his potential interest in the Manchester United position, he responded thoughtfully, saying, "It's a sensitive topic. I have a significant duty to Brentford and to our fans, as well as to our owner, Matthew, our leadership team, and the staff. My main priority right now is to focus on doing our best and winning against Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup."
"I've mentioned numerous times how satisfied I am here. This club is truly one of the finest in the world. The future is uncertain, but for now, I couldn’t be happier in this place."
Frank was questioned about whether there were specific roles in football that would be hard to decline. He was also asked if, after six incredibly successful years with the Bees, he felt entitled to consider conversations with other clubs if the chance presented itself.
“I can’t really comment on that since it’s just a theoretical scenario,” Frank mentioned. “I aim to be open about everything. Let me emphasize again: I’m truly happy here and I envision being here for many years to come.”
“Sure, I've mentioned that if a potential opportunity arises that catches my interest, I'm open to considering it. However, at this moment, I'm genuinely content where I am.”
"It's challenging to concentrate when there are so many questions coming my way. My main goal is to concentrate on Sheffield Wednesday and on securing a victory. But I understand that this is just part of the process."
Frank expressed his sympathy for Ten Hag, noting that the intense pressure and high expectations at major clubs can sometimes overwhelm managers.
"I definitely empathize with Erik," he remarked. "He’s an excellent coach with a successful career. He accomplished a lot at Manchester United, winning two trophies in just two years."
The world of football is constantly evolving, and that's completely understandable. Top clubs face enormous expectations, but it's important to stay grounded. Right now, three teams—Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool—seem to be leading the pack.
"As a head coach, you can't help but empathize with those who lose their positions. It's just how things go in this line of work. There are others who are more qualified to evaluate someone's progress. He had a solid first year, but unfortunately, he dealt with quite a few injuries."
