Thomas Frank’s first signing as Spurs head coach has reportedly been confirmed.
Frank, 51, was appointed as Spurs’ head coach on Thursday after a successful seven-year spell at Brentford.
A club statement confirming the news read: “In Thomas, we are appointing one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game. He has a proven track record in player and squad development, and we look forward to him leading the team as we prepare for the season ahead.
“Thomas will be joined from Brentford by Justin Cochrane (First Team Assistant Coach), Chris Haslam (Head of Performance & First Team Assistant Coach) and Joe Newton (First Team Coach Analyst), with Andreas Georgson (First Team Assistant Coach) arriving from Manchester United.”
Advert
The club have since been linked with Bees forward Bryan Mbeumo, who has also been the subject of a bid from Manchester United.
But on Saturday, journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that the club have reached a deal with a highly-rated player.
“Mathys Tel will leave Bayern and join Spurs on a permanent deal, agreement set to be reached,” Romano wrote on X.
“€35m fee in addition to €10m loan fee, as BILD @cfbayern @altobelli13reported.
“Tel, set to stay at Tottenham also under new head coach Thomas Frank.”
Of course, Tel, 20, spent the second half of the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Spurs, making 20 appearances and was included in the Europa League final squad, but did not feature in Bilbao.
Tel is currently away on international duty with France at the Under-21 European Championship in Slovakia.
Ange Postecoglou, who Tel worked under during his short spell at Spurs, insisted that the Frenchman could hold his own in the Premier League and dubbed him a "very exciting" player back in April.
“I didn’t actually bring him here just for six months,” Postecoglou said.
“I think he’s very, very exciting. When you meet him, you realise that he has that certain something. He has enormous confidence in what he wants to do."
He added: “Although he is still young, he can physically handle the Premier League.
“He’s a goal scorer, he can hold his own, he’s got the necessary speed. He will play an important role in our end-of-season push and beyond."
Tel clearly made himself at home in North London and gave an emotional interview to Spurs' official website after the side's Europa League triumph, even referring to Tottenham as "everything" to him and the fans.
“This story was incredible for the club, the fans… I’m very happy," Tel said.
"We did it and we deserve it. I’m playing football and playing to win trophies, so I believe in this team, this club and that’s why we did it. This is a big family with the fans, with everyone. It’s not just a club. It’s everything for us. "We have to keep going and win again.”
Who else could Spurs sign this summer?
Of course, Mbeumo is the obvious candidate to follow Frank across London, but he could be joined by Brentford teammate Yoane Wissa.
As reported by The Guardian, there has been 'internal discussions' about a potential move for the DR Congo man, with the Bees reportedly valuing Wissa at around the £40m mark.
Wissa scored 19 times in 35 Premier League appearances in 2024/25 and may also be on Nottingham Forest's list, after the East Midlands side tried to sign him last summer.
Topics: Brentford, Football, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur
Luke Davies