Former Brentford manager Thomas Frank is a leading contender for the Fulham job should the club decide to sack current head coach Alvaro Arbeloa. The speculation emerges as Fulham, winless in their opening six Premier League games, have slumped to the bottom of the table after a late collapse at Ipswich.
Frank is out of work after being relieved of his duties at Tottenham Hotspur in February. The 52-year-old spent nearly nine years in west London with Brentford, first as an assistant coach from December 2016 before becoming head coach in October 2018. He guided the club to its historic Premier League promotion in 2021 and secured two top-half finishes.
Fulham's managerial situation
Fulham appointed Arbeloa as successor to Marco Silva three months ago, but the Spaniard has yet to win a game. Tensions are believed to exist between the manager and some senior players, increasing pressure on the club's hierarchy. A club insider said: "He [Frank] lives in Sheen, south west London and would be a good fit for Fulham, but Crystal Palace are also interested."
Fulham's sporting director, Tony Khan, is understood to have a contingency plan. Frank was also linked to the role in April when Silva's future was uncertain. The club's next two fixtures, at home to Hull and away to Coventry, are seen as key for Arbeloa's future. The club's poor start is showed by the fact they have conceded a goal, on average, every 36 minutes of play this season, a defensive frailty that has contributed significantly to their position.
Brentford's current form
While speculation swirls around their former boss, Brentford are enjoying a strong start to the season. The Bees sit fourth in the Premier League with 10 points from six games and are unbeaten in their last five matches. Their next challenge is a home fixture against Liverpool on Saturday, a key test in their standings push. They will look to continue their positive momentum after a convincing 3-0 victory over Southampton in their last outing.
Frank's potential move to Craven Cottage would be deeply controversial among the Brentford fanbase due to the deep-rooted rivalry between the two west London clubs. Other names previously linked with the Fulham role include former Ipswich head coach Kieran McKenna. Brentford's focus remains on their own campaign, with the squad preparing to face Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium. The club's hierarchy has reportedly begun preliminary discussions regarding a contract extension for current manager Thomas Frank, though these are said to be in the very early stages.
More detail at Hounslow Herald
