Tottenham Hotspur appear to be on the verge of appointing Thomas Frank as manager, but the proposed appointment led to a disagreement between Arsenal icon Martin Keown and commentator Sam Matterface
Martin Keown clashed with ITV commentator Sam Matterface over Tottenham Hotspur’s bid to appoint Thomas Frank as their next manager. Matterface, who commentates on England games for ITV, was called out by Arsenal icon Keown while on talkSPORT.
Spurs have identified Brentford boss Frank as the leading candidate after sacking Ange Postecoglou last week, despite him guiding the club to Europa League glory. Frank has a £10million release clause in his Brentford contract, and while no official offer has been made, positive discussions over the vacancy suggest Frank is close to joining Spurs.
The Danish coach has earned plaudits for his work with the Bees, who gained promotion to the Premier League in 2021 and achieved top-half finishes in two of the last three seasons. Despite being an Arsenal icon, Keown believes Frank would be the ideal appointment for Spurs and took issue with Matterface’s questioning about the move.
Matterface opened the discussion on talkSPORT: “[Simon Jordan] mentioned that the difference in stepping up from Brentford to Tottenham is going to be a big one,” he began. “Martin, how hard is it going to be for Thomas Frank to be able to do that? Because one of the things [Spurs] said in the statement, ‘It’s crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts.’ That’s not experience that Thomas Frank has got.”
This irked Keown, who compared Matterface to fellow talkSPORT host Jim White. ”Do you know, when I work with Jim, it’s sort of much easier to sense how he feels, but there’s an undercurrent with you, Sam,” Keown said. “I’m feeling that you’re not giving Thomas Frank the respect he’s due.”
Quickly hitting back, Matterface replied: “That’s just absolute nonsense. I’ve got a hell of a lot of respect for Thomas Frank. I’ve met him on several occasions. I think he’s a brilliant interview, a great orator and he knows how to, not just answer a question, but motivate a football team.”
Referencing points Frank had made in a previous interview with the broadcaster, Keown turned his attention back to the Brentford manager. “We talk about strategy, we talk about structure, we talk about ambition, this fella has it all in abundance,” the ex-Arsenal defender said. “He’s going to bring it to the table. He brings that, that’s part of the package.”
Fellow pundit Jordan pushed back on Keown, suggesting that Matterface had asked if Frank would be going into the right environment for him. TalkSPORT host Matterface clarified: “[Frank] said he wants structure, organisation, ambition and culture and I’m asking can he be the one to bring that?” The presenter then rolled his eyes.
Keown continued to build tension by speaking about Matterface’s ITV partnership with his ex-Arsenal team-mate Lee Dixon. “I’m just sensing that you don’t think [Frank] can bring it,” Keown argued. “I enjoy listening to you with Lee Dixon. You ask him a lot of questions. Sometimes I’d like to hear your opinion so be a bit stronger with your opinion!
“I think Thomas Frank is perfect and, you know, Id’v’e gone out of my way to go and get him for Spurs. He’s stable, he’s solid. Look what he’s done at Brentford.”
The 58-year-old then described Frank as the “perfect match” for Spurs. “They cannot miss out on Thomas Frank,” Keown said. “If they don’t get Thomas Frank, I don’t see any success coming to that club.”
However, there was still time for him and Matterface to clash again as the former Arsenal defender argued that Frank could be given time to build his team by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.
“If they gave Ange Postecoglou two years and he won a trophy, you think they’re going to give Thomas Frank three, four years?” Matterface asked. “Already you’re asking for time,” Keown replied. The presenter responded: “You’re asking for time, we’re not asking for time, you are!”
Their bickering continued, with Keown adding: “Give people an opportunity to build an argument. Is that Ok, Sam? Even Jim does that, doesn’t he?”
“You’ve been arguing with yourself,” Matterface contended. “You said that he needs time and then you said that we’re asking for it.”
Concluding the argument, Keown said: “Because you made it sound like that. What I’m saying is that Thomas Frank is the right man for the job and he’ll bring that success to the job. He won’t be fighting for time then, will he? Because he’ll be bringing success to the club.”
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