Aksel Kryhlmand
This blend of tactical nuance and emotional awareness might be exactly what Spurs need to return to the top tier of English and European football
Tottenham Hotspur’s new assistant coach Justin Cochrane has highlighted a striking similarity between newly appointed head coach Thomas Frank and beloved former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, one that could be key to ushering in a new era of success in north London.
A Familiar Face Returns to Spurs
Cochrane, 43, is no stranger to Hotspur. He spent nearly a decade developing young talent in Tottenham’s academy before building a formidable coaching résumé with England’s youth teams, Manchester United, and most recently, Brentford. When Thomas Frank made the switch to Spurs following Ange Postecoglou’s dismissal, it was no surprise that Cochrane was among the first names confirmed for the new-look backroom staff.
Regarded as one of the most progressive coaching minds in England, Cochrane was even tipped to succeed Frank at Brentford before choosing to follow him to N17.
The Pochettino Parallel
In a candid conversation on the Training Ground Guru podcast, Cochrane revealed what unites Frank and Pochettino, their mastery of “soft skills” and ability to forge deep human connections with players. He said:
Thomas Frank is probably the best I’ve seen, and Mauricio Pochettino and Gareth Southgate, at content and connection. They know their tactics, their gameplay, but they also know how to get the best out of people.
He praised Frank’s emotional intelligence, attention to detail, and player-first approach, likening it to the way Pochettino made his players feel seen, understood, and motivated.
Mauricio knew when players needed an arm around the shoulder or a kick up the backside. He was brilliant with them.
This philosophy mirrors Pochettino’s golden era at Spurs, during which he transformed young talents into stars, built a vibrant team culture, and led the club to a Champions League final.
From Youth Development to Elite Coaching
Cochrane’s coaching journey began at Spurs, mentored by Chris Ramsey and John McDermott. His foundational philosophy shifted from simply winning matches to developing top-level footballers with technical and psychological depth.
During that time, he worked across all youth levels, including with players like Marcus Edwards and Noni Madueke.
After stints leading England’s U15s and working as Head of Player Development at Manchester United, he joined Brentford, where he played a pivotal role in developing players such as Bryan Mbeumo and Mikkel Damsgaard.
Cochrane now returns to Tottenham not as an academy figure but as a first-team assistant, aiming to implement a holistic, intelligent, and emotionally grounded coaching culture at senior level.
What This Means for Tottenham
Cochrane’s return, alongside Frank and others like Andreas Georgson and Keith Andrews, signifies a philosophical reset at Tottenham. Rather than rigid systems or flashy signings, Spurs are leaning into a development-driven, player-empowering coaching model.
This blend of tactical nuance and emotional awareness might be exactly what Spurs need to return to the top tier of English and European football. With Champions League football returning and a hungry young squad in place, Frank and Cochrane are tasked with building a new dynasty, grounded in belief, connection, and style.
The comparisons to Pochettino may spark nostalgia, but more importantly, they offer hope that something special could be brewing once again at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.