Champions League
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Published on Apr, 26 2024
In the calm oasis of Brentford's Jersey Road training ground, amidst the flurry of a Premier League season, Thomas Frank exudes a certain serenity uncommon in the high-stress world of football coaching. His demeanor, jovial yet focused, belies the tumultuous journey Brentford has endured this season. His comments, light-hearted about needing sunshine and a cold pint, mask the deeper challenges faced and lessons learned in a season he describes with a succinct "Tough!"
The recent emphatic 5-1 victory over Luton, Brentford’s largest in the Premier League, marked a bright spot in an otherwise grueling series of matches. This victory, a beacon of their potential, came during a crucial period which saw the Bees solidify their standing, moving ten points clear of the relegation fray. This resurgence in form was not just a relief but a statement, affirming their place in the top flight for a fourth consecutive year.
The season's narrative, however, wasn't always so promising. Between mid-November and mid-March, the Bees suffered through a dire stretch, losing 14 of 18 league games. Despite this, they remarkably never fell below 16th in the standings. This resilience is a testament to Frank’s philosophy that focuses heavily on process over results, on continuous development over sporadic success.
“Losing is just a result on the scoreboard," Frank muses, emphasizing the importance of performance and player development over mere outcomes. It’s a belief deeply ingrained in his coaching DNA, shaped by years of experience and a profound understanding of football’s unpredictable nature.
Interestingly, a statistical anomaly highlighted Brentford's season of 'what could have been'. They sat eighth in the Expected Points table, suggesting their performances merited far more than the 35 points they had amassed. Frank acknowledges the role of luck and errors in football, pointing out the fine margins that often dictate the fate of a game. His team, adept at creating chances through meticulously crafted plays, sometimes faltered defensively, turning potential wins into frustrating draws or losses.
The litany of injuries that plagued key players added another layer of adversity. From seasoned defenders to dynamic forwards, the injury toll was extensive, with several players missing significant portions of the season. Yet, Frank's focus remained unshaken, his strategy adaptive, switching formations and strategies to best utilize the available roster.
As Brentford gears up for their upcoming match against Everton, with the return of many first-team players, there’s a palpable sense of optimism. The tactical flexibility to revert to a preferred 4-3-3 formation heralds a return to their distinctive style of play, one that optimizes their strengths and embodies Frank’s tactical acumen.
Reflecting on his tenure, now the longest for a Brentford coach since the late 1950s, Frank sees this season as perhaps his most challenging yet most enlightening. The adversity faced has not only tested his resolve but has also underscored the brutal, unforgiving nature of Premier League football, a reminder that nothing can be taken for granted.
As Brentford looks to the future, with plans for new signings and further strengthening their squad, Thomas Frank remains a beacon of calm in the storm. His leadership, emphasizing steadiness and growth amid the relentless ebbs and flows of football fortunes, continues to guide Brentford through one of the most competitive landscapes in sports.
But he does not dwell on their misfortune in that department. Again, it is about staying calm; frustration is wasted energy.
"You're always dreaming about your strongest 11! In certain spells, you're thinking 'come on, give us a bit of luck here'.
"I'm pretty good at saying, if a player is injured, don't think about it; just think about the next player in line and make sure he can prepare in the best possible way. I just focus on which players I have available."
Returning players mean Frank has been able to play a 4-3-3 formation in recent weeks, as opposed to the frequently used 3-5-2 during the height of the injury pile-up.
"There's no doubt I'd prefer to play a 4-3-3, but we've shown we can play a lot of different systems and I don't think there's one that's better than another, depending on the players.
"I probably still prefer to play 4-3-3, but we need to have the right players available to do it. A big part of the season, we were without our two best full-backs and without our two best wingers, so it's very difficult to go 4-3-3 as they are crucial to that system.
"It's very pleasing that, finally, we have got close to a fully firing squad."
As the interview draws to its conclusion, it is time to zone in on Frank himself.
The 50-year-old has been head coach at Brentford for five-and-a-half years now - the longest-serving chief since Malky MacDonald's reign from May 1957 to January 1965 - and in his time, the Bees have, arguably, never been up against it as much as they have this term.
Does he believe he has grown as a result?
"It's been probably the biggest test so far," he admits. "Now, of course it's tough, especially the second spell where we didn't win in nine. But you know that can happen in football and it's not only to me or this club. You see it in every league across the globe.
"Back in Brondby, I decided not to win the first eight games, just to test the waters of the chairman and everyone in charge at the club! Then I did the same here, where I lost eight out of 10. That's really tough because you are new at the club.
"There's only one thing to do: stay calm - or as calm as you can be - do what you believe in, keep the energy, keep the belief and keep going.
"You learn every year and just get more experienced. We are quite process-driven, so we do the same every day, every week, more or less, with small tweaks. That helps a lot, especially when it goes down, that we keep doing what we believe in.
"But that takes something because the emotions go up and down and there is all the influence you get from people on the outside. I absorb all the emotions from everyone and just need to keep it down."
Another win would complete the job for Brentford and allow them to fully plan for next season, which they have already started doing, with the club record signing of Igor Thiago from Club Brugge to be completed on July 1.
"We are getting closer and I'm looking forward to that," Frank adds.
"One of the strengths of this club is that there are always two pathways; one where we need to perform now and then the longer-term development and planning. I know when we get there, we will really look forward to it because I love that planning part.
"But with four games left, we want to finish on a high. We want to finish with momentum. It's one game at a time and hopefully we take another win against Everton on Saturday."
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