Why Thomas Frank and Brentford are set to take the Premier League by storm

Newly promoted, Brentford, got off to a dream start on the opening night of the 21/22 Premier League season, brushing aside fellow London rivals, Arsenal.

Aside from the romanticism involved, last year’s Championship play-off winners were superior in all aspects of the game, and this was in no way a lucky break. Manager, Thomas Frank, a former sports psychology student is meticulous in his preparations leaving no stone unturned.

Such attention to detail can be likened to the managerial styles of Jürgen Klopp and Marcelo Bielsa respectively, two managers whose records in the English top-flight speak for themselves.

Similarly to the above mentioned, Frank is a true student of the game whose personable nature has allowed him to strike up a close bond with supporters and players alike.

Thomas Frank – Hailing from Denmark

All English Premier League

Hailing from Denmark, his playing career was capped at amateur football; a lack of contacts in the professional game forcing him to pursue his coaching ambitions starting from the ground up.

His journey began in the lower realms of Danish football before eventually honing his skills throughout his country’s national team youth setups.

The Bees’ manager waited until 2013 before taking the step into senior management, starting his journey with Danish first division side Brøndby IF, and it is safe to say he hasn’t looked back.

Frank’s vast experience managing at youth level has translated to his exploits within the realms of first-team football, with the 47-year-old unafraid to hand opportunities to less experienced players.

His time at Brentford has seen plenty of development

Referring back to Brentford, his 3-year tenure at the club has seen a focus on the development of young players, building a core that are yet to reach their prime.

Examples in their current squad include the likes of Bryan Mbuemo (22), Vitaly Janelt (23), Mads Bech Sörensen (22) and Marcus Forss (22) who amongst others, all featured against Arsenal on opening day.

A philosophy such as this is one that reflects that of Brentford as a whole, and one that surely contributed to the decision to appoint Frank, who previously had no experience coaching the English game.

Furthermore, the benefits of the manager’s developmental attitude are not mutually exclusive to his side’s performances on the pitch. Through the evolvement and subsequent sale of players such as Ollie Watkins, Saïd Benrahma and Neal Maupay, Frank has been able to successfully ensure the overall welfare and stability of the West London club.

While Frank’s long term ability at the top level is yet to be seen, a win and clean sheet against an established Premier League outfit is the perfect base to build from.

A positive style of play in conjunction with a promising squad of players make Brentford an exciting prospect to keep an eye on this season.