Can Spurs Shine in the Champions League Under Thomas Frank?
Tottenham Hotspur are back in the UEFA Champions League for the 2025/26 season, and this time, they enter the competition with a fresh identity under new head coach Thomas Frank. The Danish tactician, best known for transforming Brentford into a well-drilled and highly competitive Premier League side, now takes on the challenge of guiding Spurs through Europe's most elite tournament. But can his forward-thinking approach carry Spurs into the latter stages of the competition?
A Fresh Start Under Frank
After a string of managerial appointments that failed to deliver long-term success, Spurs' decision to appoint Thomas Frank signals a shift towards stability and tactical clarity. Frank is known for fostering team unity, nurturing talent, and executing pragmatic yet progressive football. His work at Brentford earned widespread admiration, not just for results but for the infrastructure he built and the football culture he cultivated.
At Spurs, he inherits a squad filled with quality and potential. Key figures like James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, and Cristian Romero offer a solid spine, while emerging talents such as Pape Matar Sarr and Destiny Udogie bring youthful exuberance. If Frank can integrate these players with his tactical style, as well as new signings like Mohammed Kudus, Spurs might surprise Europe's elite.
Spurs' European Pedigree
While Tottenham Hotspur famously reached the Champions League final in 2019 under Mauricio Pochettino, their record in Europe's top club competition remains inconsistent. They failed to progress to the knockout stage in some campaigns and have, at times, looked out of their depth. Frank, though, might be the calming presence needed to approach these big nights with composure.
His Brentford team often excelled against bigger sides by pressing smartly, remaining compact in shape, and exploiting space in behind. Translating that to the Champions League stage will require tactical refinement. Still, Frank also knows this is a Spurs team that won the Europa League last season, so the experience to perform in such competitions is there.
Tactical Approach for Europe
One of Frank's strengths is his ability to set his team up to frustrate possession-heavy sides. In Europe, where tactical battles define most ties, his compact 3-5-2 or flexible 4-3-3 systems may give Spurs the edge in tricky away legs. Midfield control, an area Spurs have struggled with in recent years, could be improved with smart recruitment and player development.
However, much of what happens will depend on the draw. If Spurs come up against Europe's leading outfits, it could make reaching the next round a tough ask. While Champions League betting online indicates Spurs are considered dark horses, they'll need to get into a good run of form and manage their fixture schedule.
Conclusion
No one expects Tottenham Hotspur to become a dominant force in Europe overnight, even though they famously won the Europa League last season. However, under Thomas Frank, the club has a chance to establish an identity and to become consistent performers. While winning the Champions League might be a stretch in 2025/26, having a good run would be a huge positive, especially in Frank's first season in charge.
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