Most prem managers had a winning record against Ange this season.
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Management So (hypothetically) who replaces Ange then?
- Thread starter Shadydan
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Odds massively shortening since news of Carricks sacking. He's as low as 12/1 now.
Levy on hearing the news
Yeah I know what your saying , was more a bit tongue in cheek that Ange's potential replacement is one of only a handful of managers who didn't manage to beat the worst Spurs team in PL history - obviously a lot more to it then that and if he comes here I wish him the best, but if we are going for a PL manager why not go all out for Glasner?
Good read from the Athletic:
Thomas Frank deserves more credit for making Bryan Mbeumo and Yoanne Wissa Brentford’s post-Toney solution
Even Thomas Frank won’t give himself enough credit.
After two goals from Bryan Mbeumo and one from Yoanne Wissa inspired a 4-2 home win against Brighton & Hove Albion, the Brentford head coach was asked about his strike partnership.
Frank said that their 34 combined goals (18 for Mbeumo, 16 for Wissa) in this season’s Premier League is an “incredible achievement”.
“All the praise to them,” he added, “and of course to my staff, and I think a little bit about the way we play.”
This is Frank’s latest rebuild of Brentford’s front line. In the Championship in the 2019-20 season, the ‘BMW’ trio of Said Benrahma, Mbeumo and Ollie Watkins provided two dribblers and real pace either side of a penalty-box No 9.
Brentford lost the promotion play-off final against west London rivals Fulham, with Watkins and Benrahma leaving for Aston Villa and West Ham United that summer. To replace them, Ivan Toney arrived from Peterborough United and Brentford finally went up.
His target-man profile suited the switch to a more underdog style in 2021-22, Brentford’s debut Premier League season. They adapted, playing less expansively against better teams, setting up in a 3-5-2 with Mbeumo off Toney. Brentford survived comfortably and, in their second season, finished ninth and Toney scored 20 league goals — they were particularly excellent at seeing out wins.
“When you consistently, over the last six seasons, have produced top scorers, there must be something we’re doing right,” Frank said. He pointed out that Liverpool — with Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz — are the only side with an attacking “duo” that betters Mbeumo and Wissa’s goal return.
Scouting and data-led recruitment are what Brentford are often seen as “doing right”. Wissa and Mbeumo are shining examples, plucked for a combined €16.5million (£14.1m; 18.8m) from yo-yoing French sides Lorient and Troyes, aged 23 and 19. Wissa was brought in the summer Brentford were promoted, while Mbeumo joined in 2020 and started the victorious play-off final in 2021.
Frank praised the scouting department when asked about Wissa last matchday, after he hooked in a smart equaliser away to Woolwich following the second phase of a set piece. Praise for himself? Minimal.
“He was a winger back then (at Troyes), but what I liked was he was very good at arriving on the last line inside the box,” Frank said. “That’s why I thought, ‘Yes, that’s the player who will score goals for us’. He’s the second winger I’ve converted to a No 9 with OK success.”
“OK success” is overly humble, considering Wissa and Mbeumo (the first winger Frank “converted”) are Brentford’s leading Premier League scorers. They overtook Toney this season in the scoring charts, while Mbeumo’s two goals against Brighton make him the most prolific Brentford player in a season since Toney two years ago, based on goals plus assists (24 goal involvements, with five penalties). His varied threat is illustrated below.
This was the 18th Premier League match where Mbeumo and Wissa scored — seven of those have been this term, the most of any pair. A good performance from one seems to lift the other. They are at the heart of Brentford’s attacking interplay, as illustrated in the graphic below.
The pair encapsulate the “layers” Frank is obsessed with adding to Brentford. It means slightly more possession, territory and longer passing sequences, especially against opponents on their level.
They rarely play a back five anymore, sticking to a 4-3-3. Nominal winger Keane Lewis-Potter continues to deputise at left-back excellently, and, against Brighton, 20-year-old Michael Kayode (a summer arrival from Fiorentina) took up advanced positions in the right half-space, running beyond Mbeumo.
It elevated their wide threat and created two-v-one overloads — Brentford’s eight completed crosses were the joint-most of any team against Brighton in a Premier League game since November 2023 (13 by Nottingham Forest).
Mbeumo nearly completed a hat-trick from a deep Vitaly Janet cross in second-half stoppage time, only for Lewis Dunk to block the shot.
Kevin Schade’s pace on the left wing was particularly effective against makeshift Brighton right-back Mats Wieffer. That showed three minutes in, when Lewis-Potter’s long pass released him, and he found Wissa with a cutback — the striker shot straight at Bart Verbruggen.
The opener came from a stylish move through the press, as Brighton — who had actively kept an extra defender at the back and struggled to defend aggressively early on — went man-for-man and Brentford exploited them.
Lewis-Potter worked a one-two with attacking midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard (who had plenty of roam to roam because Mbeumo and Wissa were stretching play), then slotted Mbeumo through to score (illustrated below).
Mbeumo was Brentford’s out-ball all game, particularly for goalkeeper Mark Flekken. The 25-year-old forward peeled out to the right, duelling in the air and on the floor against Brighton’s left-back Pervis Estupinan (5ft 9in/175cm to Mbeumo’s 5ft 7in/171cm).
Wissa was the quieter of the two in the first half, though he worked tirelessly to press Verbruggen into poor passes. Mbeumo’s second came from a misplaced pass by the goalkeeper just after the break. Centre-back Sepp van den Berg collected the loose ball, Damsgaard provided the link to Wissa in the box, and Mbeumo only needed one touch to control the lay-off before curling a far-post finish.
Ten minutes later, they reversed roles and hit Brighton on the break. Damsgaard was pivotal again, releasing Mbeumo behind Estupinan. He held the ball for Wissa’s run and found him for a first-time finish (aided by a deflection off Lewis Dunk) to make it 3-1. Three very different goals, all in open play: one through the press, one high turnover, one counter-attack.
Two French-born but African-representing internationals (Mbeumo plays for Cameroon, Wissa for DR Congo), the pair are archetypal of the goalscoring wide-forward roles that have defined the Premier League in recent seasons, rather than traditional No 9s. As a goalscorer, though, Wissa is classic: 12 one-touch finishes this term and all his goals have been in the box (illustrated below).
Frank’s point of style suiting Wissa and Mbeumo is about how Brentford create and exploit space. He still has them press high and often man-for-man, though when leading, they kick long plenty (often setting up to play short and playing over the press) and are one of the league standouts at low-block defending, meaning they rarely face deep defences themselves.
The longevity of Frank means he has had the time and resources to coach multiple systems and varied tactics. Elsewhere, he may not have received the grace and/or patience to rebuild a team that crashed from ninth in 2022-23 to 16th last season, struggling to adapt following the departures of David Raya (to Woolwich), Christian Eriksen (Manchester United) and Toney’s ban before he left.
With a settled forward line, Frank’s success has come from fielding consistent XIs and strengthening relationships. With French and with goals, the pair speak the same language on the pitch. Frank has found his post-Toney solution, and arguably an upgrade — a success of coaching, not just recruitment.
Thomas Frank deserves more credit for making Bryan Mbeumo and Yoanne Wissa Brentford’s post-Toney solution
Even Thomas Frank won’t give himself enough credit.
After two goals from Bryan Mbeumo and one from Yoanne Wissa inspired a 4-2 home win against Brighton & Hove Albion, the Brentford head coach was asked about his strike partnership.
Frank said that their 34 combined goals (18 for Mbeumo, 16 for Wissa) in this season’s Premier League is an “incredible achievement”.
“All the praise to them,” he added, “and of course to my staff, and I think a little bit about the way we play.”
This is Frank’s latest rebuild of Brentford’s front line. In the Championship in the 2019-20 season, the ‘BMW’ trio of Said Benrahma, Mbeumo and Ollie Watkins provided two dribblers and real pace either side of a penalty-box No 9.
Brentford lost the promotion play-off final against west London rivals Fulham, with Watkins and Benrahma leaving for Aston Villa and West Ham United that summer. To replace them, Ivan Toney arrived from Peterborough United and Brentford finally went up.
His target-man profile suited the switch to a more underdog style in 2021-22, Brentford’s debut Premier League season. They adapted, playing less expansively against better teams, setting up in a 3-5-2 with Mbeumo off Toney. Brentford survived comfortably and, in their second season, finished ninth and Toney scored 20 league goals — they were particularly excellent at seeing out wins.
“When you consistently, over the last six seasons, have produced top scorers, there must be something we’re doing right,” Frank said. He pointed out that Liverpool — with Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz — are the only side with an attacking “duo” that betters Mbeumo and Wissa’s goal return.
Scouting and data-led recruitment are what Brentford are often seen as “doing right”. Wissa and Mbeumo are shining examples, plucked for a combined €16.5million (£14.1m; 18.8m) from yo-yoing French sides Lorient and Troyes, aged 23 and 19. Wissa was brought in the summer Brentford were promoted, while Mbeumo joined in 2020 and started the victorious play-off final in 2021.
Frank praised the scouting department when asked about Wissa last matchday, after he hooked in a smart equaliser away to Woolwich following the second phase of a set piece. Praise for himself? Minimal.
“He was a winger back then (at Troyes), but what I liked was he was very good at arriving on the last line inside the box,” Frank said. “That’s why I thought, ‘Yes, that’s the player who will score goals for us’. He’s the second winger I’ve converted to a No 9 with OK success.”
“OK success” is overly humble, considering Wissa and Mbeumo (the first winger Frank “converted”) are Brentford’s leading Premier League scorers. They overtook Toney this season in the scoring charts, while Mbeumo’s two goals against Brighton make him the most prolific Brentford player in a season since Toney two years ago, based on goals plus assists (24 goal involvements, with five penalties). His varied threat is illustrated below.
This was the 18th Premier League match where Mbeumo and Wissa scored — seven of those have been this term, the most of any pair. A good performance from one seems to lift the other. They are at the heart of Brentford’s attacking interplay, as illustrated in the graphic below.
The pair encapsulate the “layers” Frank is obsessed with adding to Brentford. It means slightly more possession, territory and longer passing sequences, especially against opponents on their level.
They rarely play a back five anymore, sticking to a 4-3-3. Nominal winger Keane Lewis-Potter continues to deputise at left-back excellently, and, against Brighton, 20-year-old Michael Kayode (a summer arrival from Fiorentina) took up advanced positions in the right half-space, running beyond Mbeumo.
It elevated their wide threat and created two-v-one overloads — Brentford’s eight completed crosses were the joint-most of any team against Brighton in a Premier League game since November 2023 (13 by Nottingham Forest).
Mbeumo nearly completed a hat-trick from a deep Vitaly Janet cross in second-half stoppage time, only for Lewis Dunk to block the shot.
Kevin Schade’s pace on the left wing was particularly effective against makeshift Brighton right-back Mats Wieffer. That showed three minutes in, when Lewis-Potter’s long pass released him, and he found Wissa with a cutback — the striker shot straight at Bart Verbruggen.
The opener came from a stylish move through the press, as Brighton — who had actively kept an extra defender at the back and struggled to defend aggressively early on — went man-for-man and Brentford exploited them.
Lewis-Potter worked a one-two with attacking midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard (who had plenty of roam to roam because Mbeumo and Wissa were stretching play), then slotted Mbeumo through to score (illustrated below).
Mbeumo was Brentford’s out-ball all game, particularly for goalkeeper Mark Flekken. The 25-year-old forward peeled out to the right, duelling in the air and on the floor against Brighton’s left-back Pervis Estupinan (5ft 9in/175cm to Mbeumo’s 5ft 7in/171cm).
Wissa was the quieter of the two in the first half, though he worked tirelessly to press Verbruggen into poor passes. Mbeumo’s second came from a misplaced pass by the goalkeeper just after the break. Centre-back Sepp van den Berg collected the loose ball, Damsgaard provided the link to Wissa in the box, and Mbeumo only needed one touch to control the lay-off before curling a far-post finish.
Ten minutes later, they reversed roles and hit Brighton on the break. Damsgaard was pivotal again, releasing Mbeumo behind Estupinan. He held the ball for Wissa’s run and found him for a first-time finish (aided by a deflection off Lewis Dunk) to make it 3-1. Three very different goals, all in open play: one through the press, one high turnover, one counter-attack.
Two French-born but African-representing internationals (Mbeumo plays for Cameroon, Wissa for DR Congo), the pair are archetypal of the goalscoring wide-forward roles that have defined the Premier League in recent seasons, rather than traditional No 9s. As a goalscorer, though, Wissa is classic: 12 one-touch finishes this term and all his goals have been in the box (illustrated below).
Frank’s point of style suiting Wissa and Mbeumo is about how Brentford create and exploit space. He still has them press high and often man-for-man, though when leading, they kick long plenty (often setting up to play short and playing over the press) and are one of the league standouts at low-block defending, meaning they rarely face deep defences themselves.
The longevity of Frank means he has had the time and resources to coach multiple systems and varied tactics. Elsewhere, he may not have received the grace and/or patience to rebuild a team that crashed from ninth in 2022-23 to 16th last season, struggling to adapt following the departures of David Raya (to Woolwich), Christian Eriksen (Manchester United) and Toney’s ban before he left.
With a settled forward line, Frank’s success has come from fielding consistent XIs and strengthening relationships. With French and with goals, the pair speak the same language on the pitch. Frank has found his post-Toney solution, and arguably an upgrade — a success of coaching, not just recruitment.
I ve been pro Glasner for a while but I don't think he's coming. That leaves Frank or Carrick now as far as I'm concerned. The only thing that slightly worries me about Frank is I think it could end up like Nuno... I ain't against him.. Don't get me wrong.. I just worry a bit coz I'm old and my heart can't take another season like the old one... Carrick... Second only to Hoddle as the cleverest footballer of recent years... Along with Woodgate as assistant.. Clever defender... If Woodgate and Ledley can't sort our defence, no one can, very difficult decision.
I think Woodgate and Ledley had the advantage of being brilliant defenders wherever they were (apart from Woodgate to RM which we don’t mention!) - far better footballing brains than any of our players at the moment.
View: https://x.com/keen9n/status/1930245409013710879?s=46
Brentford Football Club hiring Assistant First Team Coach in Isleworth, England, United Kingdom | LinkedIn
Posted 10:45:04 PM. Job Title: Assistant First Team Coach Department: First Team Coaching Reporting: Head Coach and…See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn.uk.linkedin.com
Probably means we poached Franks assistant to replace Mason
Am I the only one who is underwhelmed at the prospect of Frank? We can’t do much worse than ange but I think we need someone who is used to handling the resources and prestige of an elite club
Then go for one of the last 8 Man Utd managers ...
People making the case for Frank are no better than those making a case for Ange. He’s proven no more than Ange has. Brentford were 16th last year after 9th the previous season. His football lacks identity at best and is dogshit at worst. Hus squad don’t much worse than our bunch of kids and misfits - and he’s got better forwards.
Contrary to some statements, his team weren’t particularly possession dominant in the championship either. And whatever he’s done elsewhere - Denmark? - counts for less the Ange n Scotland or Japan.
He might turn out great, but there’s no fucking case can be made to support it.
Contrary to some statements, his team weren’t particularly possession dominant in the championship either. And whatever he’s done elsewhere - Denmark? - counts for less the Ange n Scotland or Japan.
He might turn out great, but there’s no fucking case can be made to support it.
Brentford doesn't have the buying power that we have. He works with far less and develops them much better. Under Ange, we've only seen constant injuries. Frank is the right choice for the current young squad we have.
at least in theory, we are in the early stages of building a CL level squad where the core should peak in 5 years time. I don’t want that project to be left in the hands of someone out of their depth again. I want it in the hands of a manager who has done it at an elite club with elite players
I guess the counterpoint to this is that Russell Martin’s Southampton had a distinct identity and looked really good dominating teams in the Championship as well.
The same tactics hipsters that went crazy for Martin, and who were super excited by Carrick's initial success at Boro were also wetting themselves over what Ange was doing at Celtic.
Iraola, De Zerbi, it's all the same stuff generally speaking.
Frank is Levy’s “Data driven” wet dream.
The problem with data driven sports organizations is that they are spreadsheet good and trophy light.
Data driven can raise your average but sport is still sport and talent wins the biggest competitions.
You can be data driven and still have football people making the final call but does Levy get that? Or is he still watching moneyball on repeat in 2025?
Yeah I mentioned him before aswell, hes definitely worth considering in my opinion. Has bags of experience at the highest level as a player too.
Gray, Bergval, Sarr, Tel, Odobert, Moore?
Our average age last season was 24.8, Brentford’s was 25.2.