Premier League Giants Clash in Epic Two-Hour Manager Hunt Battle

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has disclosed that he was courted by both Manchester United and Chelsea during the summer transfer window of 2024, holding discussions with each English powerhouse within hours of each other.

Frank was managing Brentford at that time and had built an impressive standing despite the team finishing merely two spots clear of relegation that campaign. The Danish tactician had guided the humble club, which he famously described as a "bus stop in Hounslow," from the Championship into the Premier League, consistently achieving remarkable victories (including wins over United and Chelsea) while working with one of the league's most modest salary budgets.

On May 24, 2024, just one day prior to the FA Cup showdown between Manchester United and Manchester City, Frank met with Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe at his London garage. Just hours afterward, he traveled across the city to engage with Chelsea officials at the prestigious Mayfair Hotel.

"Being interviewed by two of the world's top 10 clubs—within a two-hour window—is quite extraordinary," Frank shared enthusiastically during a conversation with TV 2.

"While I didn't secure either position, it remained an incredible experience. I recall strolling through Battersea Park between those meetings and reflecting: 'Thomas Frank from bloody Frederiksværk—is this actually happening to me?'"

Should Man Utd Have Appointed Thomas Frank?

United emerged victorious in that FA Cup final. Frank wasn't the sole contender on the club's list of potential replacements for Erik ten Hag; Thomas Tuchel, Roberto De Zerbi, Graham Potter, Marco Silva and Mauricio Pochettino were also allegedly being evaluated.

Nevertheless, Ratcliffe decided to retain Ten Hag following his cup triumph, even extending the Dutchman's contract that summer. Come October 2024, he was dismissed.

Ruben Amorim took over the struggling giant but has found it extremely difficult to maintain any steady run of positive outcomes. Despite a recent stretch of five games without defeat, Amorim's Premier League statistics are inferior to Frank's during the corresponding period, even though the Danish manager was working with significantly limited resources at Brentford throughout most of this timeframe.

Thomas Frank vs. Ruben Amorim in the Premier League

Chelsea's Risk on Enzo Maresca Proved Successful

Frank held talks with Chelsea three days following Pochettino's departure from the big-spending London outfit. The Argentine had utilized Cole Palmer's exceptional abilities to elevate the Blues to sixth position in 2023–24, but this performance fell short of expectations. Enzo Maresca, who secured the role over Frank despite lacking the Dane's Premier League credentials, has validated his selection.

The unpredictable character of the former Leicester City coach's inaugural season may overshadow his accomplishment of returning Chelsea to the Premier League's elite four. Maresca has also secured the Conference League and Club World Cup for a club that measures achievement through trophies, managing the collection of young talent imposed by an erratic transfer approach that contrasts sharply with the system Frank had grown accustomed to at Brentford.

Maresca achieved personal satisfaction over Frank recently with a convincingly narrow 1–0 triumph against Tottenham Hotspur in north London.