THOMAS FRANK has never been sacked before — but knows that proud record is at “risk” now he is working for Daniel Levy.
The Dane became the 14th permanent manager of chairman Levy’s quarter of a century running Spurs when he succeeded Europa League-winner Ange Postecoglou last month.
He was finally unveiled 36 days on from his appointment and hit with questions on a number of burning issues.
What is going on with captain Son Heung-min? What about Cristian Romero? And where are we at with the pursuit of Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White?
He remained tight-lipped on a number of “good questions”, as he put them, and certainly went nowhere near any potential incoming transfer business.
It felt quite a guarded first session with the media from the former Brentford boss.
But one answer that did reveal the wit and charm he so often displayed at the Gtech came early on, when asked if Levy’s trigger-happy record with managers worried him.
After all, Spurs had sacked five bosses during Frank’s near seven-year stint with the Bees. The 51-year-old replied: “Only five? I like to challenge myself.
“I have the privilege of having never been sacked before. That is one of the reasons why I took the job. I get a little bit more risk in my daily life!
“Coming to a big club, there are pressures. We need to perform, because it is ‘we’. It’s me, it’s the staff, the players and everyone — we need to do that together. I like the ambitions.
“Everything I do, every decision I’ve made so far, is for the long term.
“It’s not about surviving one game or one year or 18 months or whatever the average is. It’s for the long run.”
Frank started his managerial career at Boldklubben of 1893 II back in 2004 before taking over the youth side of Lyngby BK in Denmark.
He then worked his way up the youth sides in the Denmark set up until he was appointed as Brondby IF manager in 2013.
After three years at the club he made the switch to England and took over Brentford and helped the club reach and stay in the Premier League.
Levy ruthlessly sacked Postecoglou last month despite the Australian landing the club’s first trophy in 17 years by beating Manchester United in Bilbao to win the Europa League.
Postecoglou paid the price for an awful Premier League campaign which saw the club finish 17th.
And Frank stressed how he must make a squad robust enough to fight on four fronts this season, including the Champions League.
Levy said last month that winning the Europa League was not enough, that he has set his sights on winning the Prem and Champions League.
Though there was no timeframe put on that lofty goal, some may argue it is unrealistic, given the competition Spurs are up against.
Title-winners Liverpool splashed out £100million on Florian Wirtz, while Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal are all investing heavily.
Spurs paid West Ham £55m for Mohammed Kudus and are willing to exceed that with Gibbs-White. Even so, Levy’s target is a stretch.
Frank said: “I share his ambitions for the club. A club of this size should have that ambition. How far away we are is very difficult to say.
“But we should throw it forward and go for it. No doubt that needs to be the aim for the future.
“What are the odds for us winning the Premier League this season? I’m not allowed to gamble either . . . so I think we’re probably not favourites.
“Probably three teams at least are ahead of us — but we will do what we can to build a strong and competitive team.”
Frank still has a number of players working their way back from injury but revealed playmaker James Maddison, who missed the end of the season with ligament damage, is closest to returning and is “part-training with the team”.
Asked about the pursuit of fellow No 10 Gibbs-White, Frank replied: “I will not speak about players who are not mine.
“I think I have two exceptions, and they are getting older… Ronaldo and Messi.”
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