Thomas Frank is widely praised as one of the finest tacticians in English football right now, and there's a serious case to be made that he is the best all-around coach in the Premier League right now when you combine what he did for Brentford with how he has quickly transformed Tottenham into a more stable - and yet more dangerous - team in 2025/26.
Although the new Tottenham Hotspur coach is mostly praised for being a great tactician, Frank is also a wonderful man manager who relates to his players and carries himself well. Ever calm, Frank is a great diplomat in press conferences and is already working wonders with the burgeoning talents at Tottenham, just as he coaxed career years out of players like Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney at Brentford.
The young players are growing in importance and confidence under the patient and sagely Frank, and he gave Tottenham fans another glimpse of his wise approach to managing players and his attention to detail on Saturday after a tough 2-1 win over a plucky Leeds United on the road.
Frank could be visibly seen, in the pouring rain, going over to young star Mathys Tel and urging him forward to celebrate with the faithful away supporters in the crowd, giving Tel a confidence-boosting moment in the sun.
Mathys Tel deserves more love
It was a beautiful moment that not many other coaches in the world would have done, taking the time and having the presence of mind to help a young player get his shine. And especially Tel, who faced so much unfair criticism this season, including racist abuse after being cruelly scapegoated by a few imbeciles masquerading as Tottenham supporters.
Tel drew the start at striker against Leeds and was one of the best players on the pitch, recording the opening goal in solo fashion before nearly scoring a second off the crossbar with his head. He responded wonderfully to the valid, constructive criticisms of his play to start his first permanent season as a Tottenham Hotspur.
Just like last season, Tel has always worked hard for the team and shown love and respect for the fans, even when they have not always done the same in reciprocal terms. So after this big performance before the October break, it was beautiful to watch Tel having this moment with some true Spurs supporters - and it was just as great to see Frank help be a part of it. He's the right guy to have in charge and just as much of a player's coach as Ange Postecoglou was, if not more.