Major Development: Man Utd and Chelsea Conduct Manager Interviews Just Two Hours Apart
Thomas Frank Discloses Interest from Premier League Giants
Managerial Pursuits
Thomas Frank, the manager of Brentford at the time, has revealed that he received inquiries from both Manchester United and Chelsea during the summer transfer window of 2024. He held discussions with both clubs within just a few hours.
Frank had built a strong reputation at Brentford, even though the team narrowly avoided relegation that season. He guided the club from the Championship to the Premier League and secured wins over major sides such as Manchester United and Chelsea, despite working with one of the lowest wage budgets in the league.
Crucial Meetings in London
On May 24, 2024, the day before the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City, Frank visited the London office of Manchester United’s co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Shortly after, he traveled to meet Chelsea’s representatives at a hotel in Mayfair.
Frank later described the unusual situation of having interviews with two top clubs only two hours apart. He recalled walking through Battersea Park between meetings and reflecting on how far he had come from a small town in Denmark to major discussions in English football.
Did Manchester United Make an Error?
Manchester United went on to win the FA Cup final. Frank was one of several candidates considered for the job should the club have chosen to replace Erik ten Hag. Others on the shortlist included Thomas Tuchel, Roberto De Zerbi, Graham Potter, Marco Silva, and Mauricio Pochettino.
Despite the trophy, Ratcliffe decided to keep Ten Hag and handed him a new contract. However, by October 2024, Ten Hag was dismissed.
Ruben Amorim took over afterwards but has struggled to deliver consistency. Even after a recent unbeaten run, Amorim’s Premier League results do not compare favorably to what Frank achieved with fewer resources at Brentford.
Thomas Frank vs. Ruben Amorim in the Premier League
| Stat | Thomas Frank | Ruben Amorim |
|---|---|---|
| Club(s) | Brentford, Tottenham | Manchester United |
| Games | 38 | 38 |
| Wins | 16 | 12 |
| Draws | 10 | 9 |
| Losses | 12 | 17 |
| Goals For | 63 | 51 |
| Goals Against | 45 | 60 |
| Goal Difference | +18 | -9 |
| Points | 58 | 45 |
Chelsea’s Successful Bet on Enzo Maresca
Frank’s conversation with Chelsea came shortly after Mauricio Pochettino left the club. Pochettino had developed Cole Palmer well and secured a sixth-place finish in the 2023–2024 season, but the club wanted more. Chelsea appointed Enzo Maresca, who lacked Premier League experience but has since justified the decision.
Maresca guided Chelsea into the top four and claimed both the Conference League and Club World Cup titles. He handled the large group of young signings brought in through an unsettled transfer strategy, using a different approach than Frank was used to at Brentford.
Earlier this month, Maresca earned a narrow 1–0 win over Tottenham, a result that added pressure on Frank in his new role with the club.