December 29, 2024

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 27: Personnel survey the damage at the site of a crane collapse during construction at Itaquerao Stadium on November 27, 2013 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. According to reports, at least two workers were killed in the accident which caused major damage. The stadium is scheduled to host the opening ceremony of the World Cup in 2014. (Photo by Ricardo Bufolin/Getty Images)

Thomas Frank exclusive: Brentford boss refreshed and re-energised as he looks to keep improving with the Bees

Thomas Frank bounds in to the coffee shop full of energy and radiating the positivity we’ve come to expect from the Brentford boss.

Brentford Premier League Goals

It’s two days before the start of the season, Frank has already spent an hour being peppered with questions from the press and with just a week left of the transfer window the future of Ivan Toney is still unclear. However, he is totally at ease and within moments of arriving he is deep in discussion with the owner Mark, a huge Brentford fan, about how good training has looked, whilst inspecting the beans for his macchiato.

Frank has clearly benefitted from his summer off. “It is always too short,” he smiles. But after what he described as the “toughest season” of his career, some sunshine, time with the family and switching off both mentally and digitally, he is ready to go again.

Frank: I'm very happy at Brentford

It is a stark contrast to the last time I had spoken to him. Injuries had decimated his squad and Brentford had one win in 12 matches. When I’d popped in to get my flat white, Mark was seriously concerned Frank might have decided he had taken the club as far as he could.

“I was tired for various reasons at the end of last season,” Frank concedes. “But when we start in two days’ time, I know I’ll feel the buzz again and I’m looking forward to it.

“I’ve learned more and more over the years to try to keep my energy or retain my energy. I think it’s been one of my strengths to have a big engine. I can just go and go and go. But I’m not getting younger.

Frank has been in charge in west London since October 2018

“I’ve been on this hamster wheel for almost six years as a head coach, almost eight years in the club and it’s fantastic, but it’s also relentless.”

Was there not a moment sitting on that sun lounger in Sicily, cocktail in hand, when you thought I am done I need a break or a new challenge? There’s a big pause… I’m definitely thinking about whether I am going to be a head coach for 10 more years or 15 more years. I don’t know.

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