‘I’m open’ - Premier League manager shortlisted to replace Erik ten Hag gives cryptic answer on future

Thomas Frank has said he is very happy at Brentford but is ‘open’ to other possibilities in the future.

The Dane was among the names considered to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United last summer, before the Ineos hierarchy opted to stick with their incumbent boss. It’s a decision United executives made again during the October international, despite the Dutchman leading the club to their worst-ever Premier League start.

But Ten Hag’s future does not look secure and amid mounting pressure on the former Ajax boss, Frank has been repeatedly mentioned as a possible candidate to be appointed as United’s next manager. With Thomas Tuchel now out of the running and Maurico Pochettino no longer an option, the Brentford boss is looking like an increasingly viable choice.

Speaking in a recent interview, the 51-year-old said he could be interested in jobs elsewhere if something were to arise.

“I've said many times I'm very happy at Brentford,” Frank told talkSPORT. “Who knows what will happen in the future. Maybe I stay here for many years. I'm open, maybe something happens.

“But first and foremost, very happy, just working very hard every day to make the club better. It's very difficult to predict the future. Who knows what will happen. How many coaches have been at the same club more than six years? Very few.”

Frank has been in charge at Gtech Community Stadium since 2018 when Dean Smith departed to take the Aston Villa manager’s role.

Frank brings his Brentford side to Old Trafford this weekend as Premier League football resumes. The Bees sit three places above United in the table and have earned two more points in the opening weeks of the season. Brentford were a whisker away from winning this fixture last season, until two injury-time goals from Scott McTominay earned Ten Hag a dramatic 2-1 victory.