Thomas Frank has paid tribute to the Lewis family after they recently pumped £100m into Tottenham following the shock departure of Daniel Levy
Thomas Frank insists he’s top dog at Tottenham – despite a major off-field shakeup. This week, the returning Fabio Paratici was unveiled as the club’s new joint sporting director alongside Johan Lange. However, Frank has made it clear he’ll still need to ratify all major transfer decisions moving forward, explaining ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Aston Villa : “I’ll always have the final say. You know that but of course, in the end, it’s teamwork.”
It’s highly likely there will be plenty of international deliberation over new signings after the Lewis family injected an initial £100million in new capital into Spurs earlier this month. More cash could yet follow, too. Unsurprisingly, Frank values the reiteration of their long-term commitment to a club that is striving to fulfil its potential as a global force. The Dane added: “First and foremost, I think it’s hugely positive that the Lewis family is clearly showing their interest in doing everything they can to improve the club and back the club as they want us to be as successful as possible. I think that’s a sign of it, that they are injecting cash into the club.”
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Meanwhile, Frank has backed Tottenham’s decision to bring “good guy” Paratici back in an official working capacity just weeks after a judge in Rome accepted a plea bargain, meaning he did not have to serve an 18-month prison sentence for false accounting.
Frank added when quizzed on Paratici’s chequered past: “I think it’s something, of course, I’ve heard about. I don’t know too much about the details but I know Fabio as a good guy from the times I’ve met him. I think he’s got a lot of quality and I look forward to working with him.”
On the field, Frank is bidding to end a managerial hoodoo for the second successive match this weekend. Prior to the international break, he beat Daniel Farke for the first time in six meetings.
In five attempts, Frank has never beaten Unai Emery’s Villa (two draws, three defeats) – it’s the most the Dane has ever faced an opposition manager without victory. The Spurs boss has also won just one of his previous eight top-flight games against the Villains, his joint-lowest win percentage against any Premier League side (12.5 per cent).
His ranks will, however, be bolstered by the return of France international forward Randal Kolo Muani following a dead leg. The Paris Saint-Germain loanee has played just 13 minutes since arriving in N17 but he is now back in training.
Frank explained: “Kolo Muani has trained now for two weeks with the team, so that’s good. He looks better and better, he’ll be in contention for the squad so that’s positive.
“I think Kolo is a very good player and I’m very excited that we managed to sign him. I’m really looking forward to having him play some consistent minutes and hopefully he’ll show what he’s capable of.”
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The clash comes too soon for Dominic Solanke, who is back out on the grass in light training following a minor surgical procedure on his ankle. Frank said of Solanke: “Dom is a naturally fit player. We need to take into consideration that he hasn’t trained with the team since July. It will take him a little bit of time to get up to pace.”
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