After taking the reins during the summer, new boss Thomas Frank will want to bring added success to Tottenham Hotspur after the Europa League triumph last season.
The Dane has key Premier League experience, spending four years in charge at Brentford after getting the Bees promoted back in the 2020/21 campaign.
However, his appointment is undoubtedly the next step in his career, but his tactical knowledge could see him be a huge hit with the Lilywhites faithful in the years ahead.
The 51-year-old has already made an immediate impact in the role, winning two of his three outings in England’s top-flight – one of which was against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Despite his impressive start to life at the club, Frank will undoubtedly be wishing that he had one former player to rely upon in his hunt for trophies in North London.
Gareth Bale’s time at Tottenham Hotspur
After arriving from Southampton as a 17-year-old, Gareth Bale originally moved to Spurs as a left-back, but that quickly changed during his time in North London.
His trajectory changed massively after transitioning into a more attacking role, with his hat-trick in the Champions League meeting with Inter Milan at the San Siro back in 2010 certainly aiding his claim for a forward-minded position.
In the following campaign, the Welsh international registered 26 combined goals and assists – catching the eye of various sides across Europe, but staying put to continue his impressive development.
The former Saints youngster became settled in a right-wing position, with such a move helping him achieve the best season of his career for goal contributions in 2012/13.
Bale scored 26 times that year, subsequently becoming known for his trademark cut-in off the right-hand side before finding the top corner – which made him one of Europe’s hottest properties.
Real Madrid would win the race for his signature that summer, moving to the LaLiga side for a reported £85m fee – a then world-record fee, overtaking the money forked out for Cristiano Ronaldo a few years prior.
The Spurs star who could be Frank’s own Bale
Whilst Bale was a player who endured huge levels of success at Spurs, his time at the club wasn’t all plain sailing – he nearly departed the Lilywhites back in the summer of 2009.
It was previously reported that Nottingham Forest made a £2m bid for the Welshman, with the hierarchy even accepting the offer to allow him to depart after just a couple of years in North London.
Whilst a deal appeared close at one stage, the player himself, in the end, had a change of heart, deciding to stay and fight for his place in the first-team rather than starting afresh.
The decision proved to be a blessing in disguise for the club and the player himself, with no one anticipating such a rise at the time of his proposed move to the City Ground.
Such a situation has reoccurred over the last couple of years, with full-back Djed Spence a player who looked almost certain to leave the Lilywhites at one point.
Djed Spence – Spurs PL stats (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
25
Goals & assists
3
Progressive carries
3.1
Progressive passes
5.3
Tackles won
2.4
Interceptions made
1.1
Aerials won
1.1
Aerial success rate
60%
Stats via FBref
The 25-year-old joined the club back in the summer of 2022, arriving in a £20m deal from Middlesbrough – even though manager Antonio Conte was against the signing at the time.
He only made six appearances for the first-team, before three unsuccessful loan spells at Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa – with the latter having an option to buy at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
However, the immense injury crisis last season handed the right-back the opportunity to impress – one that he took with both hands – subsequently going on to make 35 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25.
Spence, who’s been labelled “sensational” by one analyst, has played in every minute of Frank’s tenure to date – earning himself a maiden England call-up during the recent international break.
No supporter could’ve predicted such a rise given his lack of action in previous seasons, but it’s safe to say the Englishman now looks a bargain and a player who will play a huge part in any success during the Dane’s tenure.
Should he continue on his current trajectory, there’s no reason why the defender can’t be a part of the 2026 World Cup squad – not to mention further impressing in North London.
His situation is extremely similar to that of Bale, with the Lilywhites once again having another huge talent on their hands, which could see another massive payday in the years ahead.
