History of Thomas Frank (football manager) in Timeline

Thomas Frank is a Danish professional football coach, currently managing Premier League club Brentford. Formerly an amateur player, he has risen to prominence through his coaching career, now leading a team in one of the world's most competitive football leagues. His success underscores his tactical acumen and leadership abilities within the sport.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1934: Won Second Division championship

In 1934–35, Harry Curtis won the Second Division championship.

October 1973: Thomas Frank's Birth

In October 1973, Thomas Frank was born. He is now a Danish professional football coach and former amateur player, currently the head coach of Premier League club Brentford.

1995: Started coaching career

In 1995, Thomas Frank began his coaching career with the U8 team at hometown club Frederiksværk.

1998: Moved to Hvidovre

In 1998, Thomas Frank moved to the U12 team at Hvidovre.

1999: BA in Physical Education

In 1999, Thomas Frank was awarded a BA in Physical Education by the Copenhagen Institute of Sports Medicine.

2002: Studied Sport Psychology

Between 2002 and 2005, Thomas Frank studied sport psychology and coaching-based leadership at the Copenhagen Institute of Sports Medicine.

2004: Moved to B93

In 2004, Thomas Frank moved to B93.

2004: Taught at Ishøj Business College

In 2004, Thomas Frank taught at Ishøj Business College.

2005: Studied Sport Psychology

Between 2002 and 2005, Thomas Frank studied sport psychology and coaching-based leadership at the Copenhagen Institute of Sports Medicine.

2006: Moved to Lyngby

In 2006, Thomas Frank moved to Lyngby.

July 2008: Appointment as Manager of Denmark National Youth Teams

In July 2008, Thomas Frank was appointed as the manager of the Denmark national U16 and U17 teams.

2010: Managed Unofficial U18 Match

In 2010, Thomas Frank acted as manager during an unofficial U18 match, covering for Morten Wieghorst.

2011: Led U17 team to European and World Competitions

In 2011, Thomas Frank led the Denmark U17 team to the European U17 Championship finals for the first time in eight years and also to its first U17 World Cup.

July 2012: Promotion to Denmark U19 Manager

In July 2012, Thomas Frank was promoted to the Denmark U19 manager's job, though he later failed to qualify for the 2013 European U19 Championship.

June 2013: Appointment as Brøndby Manager

On June 10, 2013, Thomas Frank was named as manager of Danish Superliga club Brøndby, marking his first position in senior football.

2013: Failed to qualify for European U19 Championship

In 2013, Thomas Frank failed to qualify for the European U19 Championship.

2014: Brøndby finished 4th

In 2014, Thomas Frank achieved a 4th-place finish in the 2013–14 season with Brøndby, high enough to qualify for the Europa League qualification stages.

March 2016: Resignation from Brøndby

On March 9, 2016, Thomas Frank resigned from his position as manager of Brøndby after facing criticism from chairman Jan Bech Andersen on an online supporters' forum.

December 2016: Moved to London

In December 2016, Thomas Frank and his family moved to London.

December 2016: Joined Brentford as Assistant Head Coach

On December 9, 2016, Thomas Frank moved to England to join Championship club Brentford as assistant head coach alongside Richard O'Kelly, signing a 2+1⁄2-year contract.

February 2018: New Contract with Brentford

In February 2018, Thomas Frank signed a new contract with Brentford, which would run until the end of the 2019–20 season.

October 2018: Promotion to Brentford Head Coach

In October 2018, Thomas Frank was promoted to head coach of English club Brentford.

January 2019: Nomination for Championship Manager of the Month

In January 2019, after securing seven points from a possible nine, Thomas Frank was nominated for the Championship Manager of the Month award.

October 2019: Nomination for Championship Manager of the Month

In October 2019, after securing 10 points from five matches, Thomas Frank was nominated for the Championship Manager of the Month award.

2019: Contract length

Thomas Frank signed a contract that was supposed to run until the end of 2019.

January 2020: New Contract Signed

In January 2020, with Brentford in the play-off places, Thomas Frank and his assistant Brian Riemer signed new 3+1⁄2-year contracts.

October 2020: Reached 100 Matches as Brentford Manager

In late October 2020, Thomas Frank reached 100 matches as Brentford manager, holding the highest winning percentage of any Brentford manager with a tenure of 100 matches or more at the time.

December 2020: Won Championship Manager of the Month Award

In December 2020, Thomas Frank won the Championship Manager of the Month award, amidst a 21-match unbeaten run in league matches.

2021: Brentford finished 14th in the Premier League

In 2021, Brentford were placed 14th in the Premier League table, 9 points clear of the relegation zone

2021: Promotion to the Premier League

In 2021, Thomas Frank managed Brentford to promotion to the Premier League after a 2–0 victory over Swansea City in the 2021 Championship play-off final, he was also named the 2020 DBU Coach of the Year.

January 2022: Contract Extensions Signed

On January 21, 2022, halfway through the 2021–22 season, Thomas Frank and his assistant Brian Riemer signed 3+1⁄2-year contract extensions with Brentford.

March 2022: Nomination for DBU Coach of the Year Award

In March 2022, Thomas Frank was nominated for a second successive DBU Coach of the Year award.

April 2022: Nomination for Premier League Manager of the Month

In April 2022, after an unbeaten month, Thomas Frank was nominated for the Premier League Manager of the Month award.

October 2022: Achieved Milestone of 200 Matches

In October 2022, Thomas Frank achieved the feat of having won more of his first 200 matches than any Brentford head coach or manager to also reach 200.