Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has opened up about holding interviews with both Manchester United and Chelsea—remarkably, on the same day in May 2024.
This disclosure came in a recent interview with Danish outlet TV2, tied to the promotion of his upcoming book, Thomas Frank – Diary from the Premier League: The Story of Denmark’s Greatest Coaching Name.
At the time, Frank was still at Brentford, where he had established the Bees as a solid Premier League outfit with back-to-back top-10 finishes.
Key Details from the Talks
Date and Schedule:
The meetings occurred on May 24, 2024, just one day before Manchester United’s FA Cup final win over Manchester City (2-1), which ultimately influenced their decision to retain Erik ten Hag at the time.
Manchester United Interview: Frank met Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club’s co-owner via INEOS, in Ratcliffe’s garage in London. This informal setting underscores the exploratory nature of the discussion amid United’s end-of-season review.
Chelsea Interview:
Hours later, after a short walk through Battersea Park, Frank headed to the upscale Mayfair Hotel overlooking Hyde Park for talks with Chelsea, who were in the process of replacing Mauricio Pochettino.
Outcome:
Neither club pursued Frank further at that stage. Chelsea appointed Enzo Maresca shortly after, while United stuck with Ten Hag until his sacking in October 2024, followed by Ruben Amorim’s arrival. Frank, meanwhile, stayed at Brentford for one more season before moving to Tottenham in June 2025.
Frank’s Reflections In the TV2 interview, Frank described the day as surreal, blending humility with awe at the opportunity. Here’s a direct quote highlighting his mindset:
“Sitting down for interviews with two of the 10 biggest clubs in the world—two hours apart—is pretty unique. I know I didn’t get either of the two jobs, but it was still a huge deal. I remember walking through Battersea Park between the two interviews and thinking:
‘Thomas Frank from Frederiksvaerk [his hometown in Denmark]—am I really experiencing this?'”
He also touched on the emotional pull of leaving Brentford, calling it potentially “the best time of our football careers” due to the unique squad-staff bond, contrasting it with the intense, round-the-clock demands of his current role at Spurs.
These revelations add a fascinating chapter to Frank’s journey from Danish lower leagues to Premier League contention, showcasing his grounded perspective amid high-stakes opportunities.
