Insider Warns Crystal Palace Against Hiring Former Tottenham Manager Thomas Frank
Crystal Palace has been advised to seek alternatives for their next manager following the candidacy of Thomas Frank to replace Oliver Glasner at Selhurst Park. Analyst John Wenham has expressed strong concerns regarding Frank’s suitability, deeming his potential appointment as a significant regression for a club that has recently enjoyed considerable success.
Glasner has announced his exit from Palace at the conclusion of the current season, marking the end of a trophy-laden term that has elevated the club’s ambitions. Under his leadership, Palace secured the FA Cup in the 2024-25 season, captured the Community Shield, and is set to contest the Conference League final on May 27, with Europa League participation guaranteed regardless of the outcome. Glasner’s tenure has set a high standard of achievement across multiple competitions.
Given this backdrop, Wenham’s disbelief at the prospect of Frank taking over is wholly understandable. His record at Tottenham illustrates significant challenges, resulting in just thirteen wins, ten draws, and fifteen defeats over 38 matches. During Frank’s time, Tottenham exited both domestic cup competitions, and the team faced serious relegation risks before the board decided to make a change. His points-per-game ratio of 1.29 during his eight-month stint highlights one of the most disappointing managerial performances at the top level in recent history.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Wenham stated:
“It would be a really poor appointment. They were heavily linked with Andoni Iraola; to then hire Frank would be such a backwards step. Palace should be building on their trophy-laden few years, likely to include a Conference League win and Europa League football. Why appoint a manager who has proven he cannot compete on one front, let alone four?”
Wenham’s Perspective Highlights Concerns
The comparison drawn by Wenham is notable. Under Glasner, Crystal Palace has shown it can compete for trophies, win in Europe, and generate real momentum. The idea of entrusting that progress to a manager who could not prevent a high-profile team like Tottenham from flirting with relegation raises questions.
While Frank has demonstrated his capabilities at Brentford, achieving success with fewer resources over an extended period, Crystal Palace represents a different set of expectations. Wenham’s assertion that bringing Frank on board could lead to a swift decline reflects a common sentiment that he may need to rebuild his reputation at a less prominent club before being considered for a team with ambitions of European success.