Why future is bright for Brentford despite Thomas Frank exit as new manager search begins | OneFootball

Losing figurehead to Tottenham a huge blow, but Bees have system in place to continue to thrive

Change is coming to west London but, if one club can handle the upheaval, then it is Brentford.

After seven years with the Bees, it was confirmed this week that Thomas Frank would be leaving the club to take over at Tottenham.

To add to Brentford’s loss, Frank is also taking three members of staff with him to make up the core of his backroom team at Spurs.

The prospect of replacing Frank is a daunting one, given the Dane got Brentford promoted to the Premier League and stabilised them there.

The club, however, were bullish in their comments on Thursday night about having continued success with a new man at the helm.

“Just as when a player leaves, it provides an opportunity for someone else to come in and make their own impact,” said director of football Phil Giles.

“We will never forget Thomas, but now it is time to thank him and take the next steps in our journey with a new leader who we believe can be just as successful and influential.”

Exit: Highly-rated England coach Justin Cochrane is following Frank to Spurs

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Brentford’s confidence is justified given they are one of the best-run clubs in the country. Indeed, at the Football Business Awards last month, they won the award for the Overall Football Club of the Year.

Others within the game share a similar view, not least Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who has revealed his admiration for them on more than one occasion.

“I followed them for many years and the things that they do, the structures that they have, the processes that they have, the vision they have,” Arteta said previously. “It’s incredible what they have done with the resources that they have.”

Key to Brentford’s success has been the structure they have put in place. Frank was, undeniably, a key part of that, but there were many pieces that made the club run smoothly.

Frank admitted that himself only last month, praising those above him for enabling the Bees to punch above their weight.

“We all know that we are among the lowest in the division, but the good thing is that strategy from top to bottom, alignment from top to bottom,” said Frank.

“We have top leadership in Matthew Benham, who is a fantastic owner and probably one of the best in the world, good and calm leadership from Phil Giles, Lee Dykes and Jon Varney; all of that is important.”

No more so is Brentford’s collective approach apparent than in the transfer market, where they have a brilliant track record.

No more so is Brentford’s collective approach apparent than in the transfer market, where they have a brilliant track record

Brentford technical director Lee Dykes has spoken in the past about how there are seven stages of recruitment at the club.

The process begins with narrowing down the 85,500 players the club are tracking by using data and scout reports.

Input comes from Frank, Giles and backroom staff - with the ultimate sign-off from Benham - before a player is bought.

“Thomas won’t be involved much in the transfers from a technical point of view,” Giles told Brentford’s website.

“He will be involved in conversations around the squad evolution and the players we want to bring in. He needs to picture in his head how he will weave that player into his plans. Mine and Lee’s job is to do the nuts and bolts of the transfer.”

That robust process is what has allowed Brentford to cope when losing key players. When Neal Maupay left, Ollie Watkins stepped up. When Watkins departed, Ivan Toney became the main man.

In an interview conducted in January, Giles explained how dealing with such situations would give them confidence if Frank ever left.

“I expect it will be difficult,” he said, when asked about the possibility of Frank going. “But we’d have to do it!

“It’s like when you replace a player: replacing Ollie Watkins was a difficult problem to solve, replacing Ivan Toney was a difficult problem to solve; these are difficult problems to solve, but you just have to get on with it, we won’t have a choice.

“I think it’s the same when replacing players and staff: sometimes you can overthink it.

Candidate: Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has been linked with the vacant Brentford manager’s job

John Walton/PA Wire

“At the end of the day, it’s who the best candidate is, is there someone really, really outstanding, and will they make a positive impact at the club?”

Brentford have time on their side as they look to replace Frank, with pre-season still weeks away.

Patience has been a big part of their success, particularly when giving players time to settle. Mikkel Damsgaard, for example, was signed three years ago but only now is he shining.

Similar patience could be needed now as Brentford begin life without Frank, the man who has shaped so much of their success.

Whoever comes in to replace him, though, will be walking into a club with a well-oiled structure that is set up for success. The challenge will be to try and emulate - and even exceed - the work that Frank started.