Thomas Frank (ex-Spurs head coach) (17 Viewers)

[Gawain]

It'll be interesting to see how he gets on with the European games, as well as fighting off relegation.

It's curious but even while Spurs' PL results were going to hell under Thomas, their results in the CL were actually very good: Pl. 8, W5, D2 L1 (lost to PSG away), meaning that they actually finished 4th of 36th in the Group Stage:
https://www.espn.com/soccer/team/results/_/id/367/league/UEFA.CHAMPIONS/season/2025

And someone posted a video recently of one of the stats analysts who went with Thomas from Brentford to Spurs, who asserted that the whole Saturday/Tuesday, Sunday/Wednesday grind of competing on two fronts seriously harmed Spurs progress in the PL.

I daresay that Thomas was under pressure from Levy to be competitive in Europe (for obvious financial reasons), but maybe Palace won't push him so hard, both because Europa League money isn't nearly so lucrative as the CL, but also because relegation from the PL would cost them far more than even winning the EL and qualifying for the CL next season?

 

[horshambees]

And someone posted a video recently of one of the stats analysts who went with Thomas from Brentford to Spurs, who asserted that the whole Saturday/Tuesday, Sunday/Wednesday grind of competing on two fronts seriously harmed Spurs progress in the PL.

So the analyst blames the fixture list rather than the squad/toxic dressing room that Thomas inherited ?

How much did he get paid to come up with that assumption ?
Looks like we have improved since he has left.

 

[TW3Bee]

His last home game for us was against Fulham I think
When they beat us 3-2

He cost us that game with his substitutions.

 

[VML87]

Good luck to him! Seeing the videos of us beating city 2-1 reminded me of how good he was. Future HOF?

 

[TW3Bee]

TF well ahead in the popularity contest

View attachment 70272

The usual suspects.

 

[TW3Bee]

I have a bad feeling about this. Thomas might be a great manager if he’s given the time to introduce his own culture. But I don’t think he’s necessarily the guy you want in a relegation dog fight, with the pressure rising and games running out.

It'll be his first experience of ever managing in the premier league zelegation zone

Which, from that point of view, would make it a strange appointment, as he has no experience of being in a relegation fight, apart from Spurs, but with Palace being of a similar size of club, it might just work.

 

[marvelous007]

You could see Thomas revisiting old players not necessarily our players, but a Wissa or a want home Watkins to replace the want away Mateta, from us you could only really see him going for maybe a Jensen as old history together from or Rico.

Not sure Palace could afford Watkins wages.

 

[VML87]

Not sure Palace could afford Watkins wages.

Jensen in the summer though

 

[francistowerssc]

About Thyme too.

What are you on about Rosemary

 

[horshambees]

What are you on about Rosemary

Palace need to pay the bills.
If not the Bay Leafs are coming

 

[ChessingtonBee]

I have a bad feeling about this. Thomas might be a great manager if he’s given the time to introduce his own culture. But I don’t think he’s necessarily the guy you want in a relegation dog fight, with the pressure rising and games running out.

Assuming he hasn’t borrowed Martin Allen’s speedos.

Apart from, perhaps, the remuneration he might be better off at a mid-table Championship club.

 

[Wouldbee]

Apart from, perhaps, the remuneration he might be better off at a mid-table Championship club.

But that's where he's going?

 

[ruislip bee]

Palace need to pay the bills.
If not the Bay Leafs are coming

Well played sir!

 

[Gawain]

So the analyst blames the fixture list rather than the squad/toxic dressing room that Thomas inherited ?

How much did he get paid to come up with that assumption ?
Looks like we have improved since he has left.

No, it wasn't like that. This statto didn't address the toxic dressing room etc. but was making a separate point that the fixture congestion meant TF was unable to do a lot of the general work on the training ground that he would have liked. So that the routine was one continual loop of "Travel-play-rest-prepare for next game-travel-play-rest-prepare etc."

Which is what TF would face again should he get the Palace job, unless he/the club decides to sack off their European campaign to preserve their PL campaign.

 

[ChessingtonBee]

But that's where he's going?

If he lets someone else take the club there then his reputation is not damaged further.

 

[TadB]

For Thomas, this is the hospital pass to end all hospital passes. Bottom of the table with two of their best players agitating to leave the club. Taking over at Palace in the summer would have been a good opportunity, but now? I'd be surprised if he saves them from relegation so where does he go career-wise from there? I wish him good luck as he's a great bloke. He's going to need it!

I am sure he will be very well compensated, however, it turns out. He will end his career far better off than most of us. Nice chap did well for the Bees, but I will not feel sorry for him.

 

[TadB]

Like who? He didnt come in for anyone when he was at Spurs and i dont know why any of our team would want to go to Palace anyway.

Henry for a first team place, & Jenson for a long last contract?

 

[horshambees]

No, it wasn't like that. This statto didn't address the toxic dressing room etc. but was making a separate point that the fixture congestion meant TF was unable to do a lot of the general work on the training ground that he would have liked. So that the routine was one continual loop of "Travel-play-rest-prepare for next game-travel-play-rest-prepare etc."

Which is what TF would face again should he get the Palace job, unless he/the club decides to sack off their European campaign to preserve their PL campaign.

 

[David Brentford]

Tbh I hope Thomas doesn’t take the Palace job. They are a rival and I’d much prefer he went abroad for a good club or international job. I’d like him to succeed but not particularly at Palace

 

[pompeybee]

Having been settled in SW London for many years now, and with a family, the Palace job might appeal just on personal grounds.

Moving round the country every couple of years and/or living in hotel rooms isn't for everyone.

 

[horshambees]

Having been settled in SW London for many years now, and with a family, the Palace job might appeal just on personal grounds.

Moving round the country every couple of years and/or living in hotel rooms isn't for everyone.

But he applied for the Villa and Man.Utd jobs whilst our manager/head coach.
I think he would have been happy to move around a fair bit if he had got those gigs.

 

[Untouchable]

But he applied for the Villa and Man.Utd jobs whilst our manager/head coach.
I think he would have been happy to move around a fair bit if he had got those gigs.

He may have been able to stay put and commute to Villa. That’s what Ezri Konsa did.

Also, what might have been good for him in 2023 etc might not be what he wants in 2026. He’s also significantly more financially secure now so can choose to stay in London if he wants.

 

[Gee Bee]

Henry for a first team place, & Jenson for a long last contract?

Their left back is one of the better players plus they’ve also got Chillwell. Their biggest issue is at CB

 

[TadB]

Their left back is one of the better players plus they’ve also got Chillwell. Their biggest issue is at CB

Well that’s it then, those two will not be going to Palace.

 

[horshambees]

He may have been able to stay put and commute to Villa. That’s what Ezri Konsa did.

Also, what might have been good for him in 2023 etc might not be what he wants in 2026. He’s also significantly more financially secure now so can choose to stay in London if he wants.

I imagine Thomas is not worried about being financially secure rather than being on the outside looking in.
Football coaches want to coach,prove themselves and be back in the dug outs,dressing rooms etc etc.
These guys have massive egos and thats what drives them on.Bigger egos than we will ever know.
Eddie Howe turned Palace down,but Thomas will not (probably) because he wants to get back in.
I spend a lot of time with an ex head coach/manager and he hates not being on a training pitch.

 

[Hippobee]

If TF did go to Palace (and I still think he'll be up against it there) it will be interesting who he picks as his number 2. And if he will allowed to select a backroom team as well - maybe all the mob he took to Spurs from us who also got their P45?

 

[Gee Bee]

If TF did go to Palace (and I still think he'll be up against it there) it will be interesting who he picks as his number 2. And if he will allowed to select a backroom team as well - maybe all the mob he took to Spurs from us who also got their P45?

Cochrane is still part of England coaching set up, not sure if he’s a wider remit for FA

 

[snowstormbee]

If TF did go to Palace (and I still think he'll be up against it there) it will be interesting who he picks as his number 2. And if he will allowed to select a backroom team as well - maybe all the mob he took to Spurs from us who also got their P45?

According to Telegraph Sport, it's taking longer than expected because of the amount of backroom staff TF wants to take to Palace. Wild guess that's all those
he took to Spurs.

 

[Banana]

According to Telegraph Sport, it's taking longer than expected because of the amount of backroom staff TF wants to take to Palace. Wild guess that's all those
he took to Spurs.

This is the Telegraph article. I don't see anything like you have mentioned. Is there another Telegraph story?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/11/12/crystal-palace-sack-pierre-sage-thomas-frank-vitor-pereira/

 

[cliffbee]

No. Spurs was.

Well I said he wouldn't last a year at Spurs and that proved correct. In my view, this is worse in the sense that I see them as odds on for relegation and it seems like a disunited squad.

 

[cliffbee]

Jensen in the summer though

Does he want to play in the Championship?

 

[Banana]

Well I said he wouldn't last a year at Spurs and that proved correct. In my view, this is worse in the sense that I see them as odds on for relegation and it seems like a disunited squad.

The issue is why they are disunited.

Spurs was because everyone knew they didn't give a f*** if they were relegated as they all knew they would be either sold or take the same salary the following year. That doesn't apply to Palace. Expect them to actually give a sh*t.

 

[Banana]

According to Telegraph Sport, it's taking longer than expected because of the amount of backroom staff TF wants to take to Palace. Wild guess that's all those
he took to Spurs.

Can you reference this Telegraph Sport article please. No-one can find it.

 

[Hippobee]

Can you reference this Telegraph Sport article please. No-one can find it.

A quick search says there's something on Football Insider suggesting this, but I couldn't find anything else.

 

[Banana]

So there's this

On Thursday, RoundTable reported that Thomas Frank had agreed terms to become the new manager of Crystal Palace. But why, two days on, is there still no official announcement despite Pierre Sage’s sacking being made official two days ago.
The same problems that were highlighted in that article are continuing to cause delays, as the club navigates a number of potential new employees in the form of Frank’s coaches and analysts.

A deal is still expected to be finalised, and it’s a matter of when, not if, but the delays are being caused by Frank wanting to bring his own staff with him and Palace negotiating contracts with those new coaches and analysts.

From here:
Backroom Staff Causing Delays To Thomas Frank's Crystal Palace Appointment

 

[Bigbee]

who would he want to take with him ?

 

[cliffbee]

The issue is why they are disunited.

Spurs was because everyone knew they didn't give a f*** if they were relegated as they all knew they would be either sold or take the same salary the following year. That doesn't apply to Palace. Expect them to actually give a sh*t.

Mateta and Sarr pretty self-evidently don't give a sh*t as they've already mentally shipped out. Not sure what's left without them is actually good enough to stay up. Beyond Henderson and Wharton they look like bang average players to me. I think they'll finish bottom.
Goal difference is a good indicator of a team's real ability, as the number of points can change quickly early in the season. Palace's GD is terrible which indicates they have huge problems especially in defence.

 

[JCMcBee]

Mateta and Sarr pretty self-evidently don't give a sh*t as they've already mentally shipped out. Not sure what's left without them is actually good enough to stay up. Beyond Henderson and Wharton they look like bang average players to me. I think they'll finish bottom.
Goal difference is a good indicator of a team's real ability, as the number of points can change quickly early in the season. Palace's GD is terrible which indicates they have huge problems especially in defence.

.... I'm sure if any Palace supporters were looking at this... they'd be hoping their new manager can turn things around... just have to find the right man for the job.... that's the difficult part I guess.

 

[Mikey Bee]

Mateta and Sarr pretty self-evidently don't give a sh*t as they've already mentally shipped out. Not sure what's left without them is actually good enough to stay up. Beyond Henderson and Wharton they look like bang average players to me. I think they'll finish bottom.
Goal difference is a good indicator of a team's real ability, as the number of points can change quickly early in the season. Palace's GD is terrible which indicates they have huge problems especially in defence.

We've got super Thomas Frank
He's got nothing that we need
Porous at the back
Wasteful in attack
We're going to a lower league

 

[BURFORD BEE]

We've got super Thomas Frank
He's got nothing that we need
Porous at the back
Wasteful in attack
We're going to a lower league

If you change We've to you've and we're to you're then you have a he perfect song for us to sing to them

 

[VML87]

Does he want to play in the Championship?

TF will keep them up!

 

[Gee Bee]

who would he want to take with him ?

All the ones that went to Spurs and also got binned

 

[Glenisterbee]

I’ve got a friend who is a palace fan up here in North Yorkshire and he is beyond certain that they are in a totally false position and that when TF arrives they will be safe.

 

[VML87]

I’ve got a friend who is a palace fan up here in North Yorkshire and he is beyond certain that they are in a totally false position and that when TF arrives they will be safe.

Defo stay up

 

[snowstormbee]

Can you reference this Telegraph Sport article please. No-one can find it.

I get a brief synopsis of the 'latest' football stories; it was in there.

 

[Greybeard]

Palace face serious problems but they're far from being doomed. Thomas is a very good manager. Id back him to guide then to safety and then, next season, to mid table comfort.