Ruben Amorim should learn from Thomas Frank!

28/08/2025 07:58:00 ChampionChatter

Thomas Frank, Tottenham’s new manager, is emerging as a symbol of flexibility in contemporary football, contrasting sharply with the rigid approach of coaches like Ruben Amorim at MU.

Within just a few games, Frank has proven that altering tactics is not a sign of weakness but a hallmark of a coach who adapts to secure victories.

The strength of adaptability

In only his first three official matches at Tottenham, Thomas Frank demonstrated astonishing flexibility. In the UEFA Super Cup against PSG, he deployed a 3-5-2 formation, emphasizing set pieces and long balls from the goalkeeper to neutralize the opponent. Against Burnley, who played with a five-man defense, Frank switched to a 4-3-3 to exploit ball possession and fluid movement across three lines, leading to a 3-0 win. The highlight was the 2-0 victory over Man City at Etihad, where he applied high pressing to exploit the opponent’s advanced midfielders.

Frank’s flexibility extends beyond formation changes. He tailors his style based on the opponent’s traits and the players at his disposal. “I know my objectives, but I have to work with the current squad, adjusting according to their quality and capabilities,” Frank explained. At Brentford, he used 3-5-2 (53 matches), 4-3-3 (51 matches), and 4-2-3-1 (22 matches), adapting to the game context and scoreline. This contrasts with Ruben Amorim, who remains fixed on a 3-4-2-1 setup at MU despite lacking the right players. “Constant changes will worsen things,” Amorim said in December 2024 when criticized for not modifying tactics. Frank, however, views adaptability as the core of coaching, helping Spurs keep clean sheets in both Premier League games, accounting for one-third of their total clean sheets (6) last season.

The victory against Man City clearly illustrates Frank’s skill. Brennan Johnson’s opening goal came from a swift combination, with Pedro Porro passing to Pape Sarr before Richarlison assisted. The second goal resulted from intense pressing, as Sarr stole the ball from goalkeeper James Trafford, creating an opportunity for Palhinha’s long-range shot. “We played proactively, pressed high, and always aimed for a third goal,” Frank proudly stated. This tactical flexibility allows Spurs to maximize their resources, even without James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski due to injuries.

Tactical flexibility is fundamental to Thomas Frank’s coaching philosophy.

Amorim should take lessons from Frank.

Frank’s success is not only due to tactics but also how he builds team morale. At Spurs, he quickly wins players over with clear plans for each match. Cristian Romero, the newly extended captain, leads the defense with strong tackles, making a mark against City with six ball recoveries, three interceptions, and two tackles. Joao Palhinha, loaned from Bayern, has become a bargain with eight duels won and four tackles.

Frank creates a tightly collaborative environment, unlike his predecessor Ange Postecoglou, who often watched matches calmly. He constantly communicates with assistants like Matt Wells (defense), Andreas Georgson (set pieces), and analyst Joe Newton. During the City match, when Djed Spence missed a chance from a long throw-in, Frank and Georgson openly showed their disappointment, reflecting their attention to detail. This cooperation extends behind the scenes, where Frank is praised by Hotspur Way staff for remembering everyone’s names and caring for them. “He’s truly an exceptional person,” a staff member remarked.

In contrast, Amorim struggles at MU because of his rigidity. His insistence on the 3-4-2-1 formation despite lacking suitable players has caused players to lose confidence, especially during MU’s poor start to the season. Frank’s flexible approach not only helps Spurs win but also gives a sense that each match has a unique plan, making players fully committed. “Players need to see that the coach knows how to help them win. That’s the essence of coaching,” Frank emphasized.

Despite a strong start, Frank faces challenges with squad depth. Missing Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White, along with Son Heung Min’s departure and Maddison’s injury, forces Spurs to rely on newcomers like Mohammed Kudus and Palhinha. Fans are unhappy with chairman Daniel Levy, repeatedly calling for his resignation during the City match, believing the management does not adequately support Frank. “He’s doing everything possible but needs reinforcement,” a fan said.

Frank acknowledges this is a "honeymoon" period and failure is inevitable. “Our success will be defined by how we handle adversity,” he said. With ambitions to compete in the Premier League and Champions League, Spurs need to strengthen their squad with quality signings like Savinho from Man City to improve depth. Otherwise, the risk of repeating the 2023-24 season, when Ange Postecoglou started well but declined due to lack of resources, is high. Frank cannot do everything alone.

Vu Manh

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