Thomas Frank’s Spurs Rebuild Begins

With Thomas Frank officially installed as Tottenham’s new head coach, a wave of change is sweeping through Hotspur Way, and attention now turns firmly to the Dane’s transfer priorities, key squad decisions, and how he’ll handle stars like Son Heung-min and Cristian Romero.

New Era Underway at Spurs

Frank arrives from Brentford after a celebrated spell in west London, replacing Ange Postecoglou following the Australian’s Europa League triumph, Tottenham’s first trophy in 17 years. While that success offered a celebratory send-off, it also raised expectations. Now Frank must not only meet them, but raise the ceiling further.

His arrival has already brought a reshaping of the backroom staff. Chris Haslam, a familiar figure from Brentford, has joined as head of performance and first team assistant coach, and Frank is busy forming new relationships across the club.

But perhaps the most crucial relationship, beyond the pitch, is the one with Johan Lange, the club’s technical director. The two Danes previously shared an office at Lyngby in Denmark, and now find themselves reunited with a very different remit: rebuilding a Premier League club for a top-four push and Champions League competitiveness.

Transfer Needs

The early consensus is that Spurs will need at least three major reinforcements this summer:

1. A wide forward: With ongoing uncertainty around Bryan Mbeumo, Richarlison and even Son, Tottenham may require firepower on the flanks. Frank is known to favour dynamic attacking transitions, and a direct winger could be high on the wish list.
2. A central midfielder: Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr offer variety, but injuries and inconsistency have plagued the midfield. Frank may push for a versatile, press-resistant playmaker.
3. A centre-back: With Cristian Romero’s temperament a topic of constant discussion, and questions around Micky van de Ven’s long-term partner, another defender could be essential.

There’s also chatter about a goalkeeper signing, not to replace Guglielmo Vicario, but to challenge and cover in cup competitions as Spurs prepare for a heavier fixture load.

Son Heung-min, Staying or Going?

Perhaps the biggest question mark surrounds club captain Son Heung-min. The South Korean international has not been publicly referenced by Frank in early communications, a notable omission that hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans or media.

Reports indicate Son is more open than ever before to exploring a move away, potentially to Saudi Arabia or back to Germany. That uncertainty, combined with his age and high wages, means Tottenham must tread carefully. Losing Son would be seismic, both commercially and on the pitch, and could force a dramatic retooling of the forward line.

The Romero Dilemma

Cristian Romero’s role is another delicate subject. Vice-captain and central to Spurs’ defence, the Argentine’s on-field leadership is offset by frequent lapses in discipline. Frank is known for demanding organisation and composure, both of which Romero delivers inconsistently.

Expect an early sit-down between the pair, especially if Spurs are to build a new backline around him. Whether Romero is seen as a cornerstone or a liability could shape the entire summer strategy.

UEFA Quotas and Registration Puzzles

One of the early challenges Frank faces is navigating UEFA’s homegrown registration rules. With European competition returning, Spurs must ensure they meet squad quota requirements, and that could influence signings, especially in marginal or developmental roles.

This includes decisions on fringe academy graduates, potential returns for former players like Kyle Walker-Peters, and whether certain homegrown players are retained or sold.

Frank’s pre-season begins in a fortnight, and the pressure is already building to finalise the first wave of transfer business. Working alongside Lange and new CEO Vinai Venkatesham, Frank has the full backing of Daniel Levy, for now.

But with fan patience thin, top-four ambitions growing, and key players potentially departing, the honeymoon period may be short.

As Alasdair Gold’s Q&A hinted, everything, from Son’s decision to the next marquee signing, will shape how Tottenham navigate this critical summer. For now, the Thomas Frank era is underway. What happens next may define Tottenham’s next decade.