Contrary to previous reports, it has been revealed by Football Transfers that Thomas Frank is actually Manchester United’s preferred choice to replace Erik ten Hag as manager this summer, rather than Gareth Southgate.
Steve Bates suggests that the Brentford manager has been specifically identified by Old Trafford officials due to his impressive tenure at the Gtech Community Stadium over the past six years.
Frank has garnered praise for his innovative management style during Brentford’s time in the Premier League, particularly for his emphasis on maximizing marginal gains. The team dedicates significant time to various aspects such as positional structure, fitness and recovery, and set-pieces, both defensively and offensively.
Although Frank collaborates closely with the executive structure at the Gtech Community Centre, he remains in the role of head coach rather than manager. Consequently, many decisions, especially regarding transfers, are led by the recruitment department, which employs statistical analysis to identify undervalued players in the market.
While both Southgate and Frank lack experience at the highest level of football, their potential appointments do not instill confidence in their ability to succeed Ten Hag, especially considering the struggles faced by the current manager and his team this season due to an extensive injury crisis.
Bates suggests that Carlo Ancelotti is United’s preferred choice, but a move for the Real Madrid manager is deemed unrealistic. Therefore, if the decision comes down to retaining Ten Hag for another season or bringing in a fresh face like Southgate or Frank, Manchester United must carefully consider whether these coaches can replicate the level of success achieved by Ten Hag during his time at Ajax.