Thomas Frank has lifted the lid on one of the most surreal days of his coaching career: a day he interviewed for two of the biggest jobs in world football only hours apart.
The Tottenham head coach confirmed he held talks with Manchester United and Chelsea on the same day in May 2024. At the time, he was still in charge of Brentford, while both clubs were weighing up managerial changes.
“Sitting down for interviews with two of the 10 biggest clubs in the world – two hours apart – is pretty unique,” he told TV 2 Sport.
“I know I didn’t get either of the two jobs, but it was still a huge deal. I remember walking through Battersea Park between the two interviews and thinking: ‘Thomas Frank from Frederiksvaerk – am I really experiencing this?’”
The TV 2 Sport report, which recounts a story from Frank’s upcoming book, explains how his day unfolded. He first met Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the morning of May 24, 2024, inside the United co-owner’s London garage.
He then made his way to a Mayfair hotel near Hyde Park to meet with Chelsea representatives. Both clubs were deep in transition at the time. The Blues were searching for a successor to Mauricio Pochettino, while United were considering life after Erik ten Hag.
Chelsea eventually chose Enzo Maresca, who arrived from Leicester City. United stayed with Ten Hag a little longer before appointing Ruben Amorim later that year.
Frank, meanwhile, continued his work with Brentford until Tottenham named him head coach in June 2025.
It was a whirlwind chapter in his journey and one that shows just how far the Dane has climbed in the football world.
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