Thomas Frank makes 's***' Erik ten Hag comment ahead of Man Utd audition
Manchester United are admirers of Brentford head coach Thomas Frank, but the Dane has leapt to the defence of Erik ten Hag ahead of their Premier League showdown this weekend
by Dan Marsh · The MirrorThomas Frank has hit out at the criticism which has been levelled at Erik ten Hag ahead of Brentford 's meeting with Manchester United on Saturday.
Ten Hag has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks after overseeing just two wins from United's opening seven Premier League fixtures. It had been reported he could lose his job during the international break, though he has seemingly been given a reprieve following a meeting involving the club's top brass last week.
While two of the top candidates touted as potential Ten Hag successors in Thomas Tuchel and Gareth Southgate are now off the market, Frank is viewed as a serious contender for the job if the Dutchman is unable to turn results around in the coming weeks.
United chiefs will get a chance to watch Frank firsthand this weekend. However, the sought-after Brentford coach has defended his opposite number ahead of their clash.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Dane said of Ten Hag: "Incredible the amount of scrutiny he faces – as a head coach we acknowledge how it is to be like this – clearly he’s a good coach – when a team wins the head coach is great, but if a team lose then the head coach is s***."
Frank has won plenty of admirers during Brentford's stint in the Premier League and came close to pulling off a memorable upset at Old Trafford last season before two late, late goals from Scott McTominay rescued Ten Hag, who was under pressure at the time.
Among Frank's admirers is Manchester City chief Pep Guardiola. And the manager of United's arch-rivals is convinced that one day soon Frank will be given a top job by one of Europe's elite.
Join the debate! Do you think Frank would be a good choice for Man Utd? Let us know here.
However, while Frank, who is now in his sixth year at the helm of the Bees, insists he is happy, he refused to shut the door on a potential move in the future in an interview with talkSPORT.
"I've said many times I'm very happy at Brentford. Who knows what will happen in the future. Maybe I stay here for many years. I'm open, maybe something happens."
When pressed on speculation linking him with the United job, he replied: "Every club, every coach, all kinds of situations. I have this nice little principle that I never speak about players that are not in my club because I don't know them well enough. And I don't speak about speculation either way."
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