Ange Postecoglou linked to big-money club as Tottenham announces new coach

Reports from the UK state Ange Postecoglou's next job may be with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli.

According to The Telegraph, Al-Ahli's current manager Matthias Jaissle might be on the move to Europe and the Asian Champions League winners may be on the hunt for a new coach.

Jaissle has reportedly been linked to Bundesliga team RB Leipzig and should he go, Postecoglou is believed to be Al-Ahli's target as replacement.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Why this photo could spell the end of an iconic Smith chapter

READ MORE: To hell and back: Near-death moment Garside almost repeated

READ MORE: Ciraldo calls for Origin shake-up after Burton's Blues snub

The Saudi Arabian club has the likes of Liverpool attacker Roberto Firmino and former Leicester and Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez in the team, and won the AFC Champions League trophy in May after defeating Japanese side Kawasaki 2-0 in the final.

Yet they finished fifth in the Saudi Pro League, 16 behinds champions Al-Ittihad, who boasts former Real Madrid goal scoring machine Karim Benzema.

Postecoglou is tipped to receive offers from several clubs all over the world.

If he does go to Al-Ahli, it would be a return to Asian football for the Australian manager after he won Japan's top flight with Yokohama.

Elsewhere, Tottenham hired Thomas Frank as head coach after the Danish manager ended his nearly decade-long stay at fellow Premier League team Brentford.

Tottenham said Frank's contract runs until 2028.

“In Thomas we are appointing one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game,” the club said in a statement. “He has a proven track record in player and squad development and we look forward to him leading the team as we prepare for the season ahead.”

Frank joined Brentford in December 2016 and has been manager since 2018. He has established a reputation as a tactically flexible and shrewd coach who has improved players, especially those of a lower profile or who have not performed at other clubs.

Thomas Frank is the new man for Tottenham. CameraSport via Getty Images

At Tottenham, he will have a squad of higher quality — albeit one that finished below Brentford in the Premier League last season — and will be managing in the Champions League for the first time. One of his first games will be against Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup.

In that sense, it’s a slight gamble from Spurs. Indeed, Frank has never won a trophy in his managerial career.

However, having had Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho at the helm for spells since 2019, even those managers with elite-level pedigree have found it tough to lead Tottenham to success and Frank at least has plenty of Premier League experience.

Brentford has played in the top flight since 2021 and consistently punched above its weight, with Tottenham pointing to Frank's ability to get his former team “significantly outperforming expectations for an extended period of time.”

Brentford director of football Phil Giles said Frank's “wisdom, coaching ability and emotional intelligence have helped transform the club.”

“He forged a special connection with our fans, helped develop and improve players, and was instrumental in implementing the culture that has seen Brentford go from strength to strength,” Giles said.

“We will never forget Thomas, but now it is time to thank him and take the next steps in our journey with a new leader who we believe can be just as successful and influential.”

Tottenham said Frank will bring several of his backroom staff with him from Brentford, including assistant coach Justin Cochrane, with set-piece specialist Andreas Georgson also joining from Manchester United.

Click here to read article