Thomas Frank believes he can push Brentford even harder and reach “the next level” after replacing Dean Smith as head coach.
The 45-year-old Dane has been a key part of the club’s progress since joining as assistant in 2016 and is now relishing the chance to take charge.
Frank, who was boss at Brondby, always intended to return to a top job and believes he has found the perfect role at Griffin Park following Smith’s departure for Aston Villa.
“I am in a very privileged position because I know every staff member, every player, the two sporting directors, the owner, and they know me,” he said.
“The philosophy and the strategy are aligned and we know which direction we want to go. Now it’s up to me to push it to the next level.
“Myself, Dean and Richard (O’Kelly) discussed a way of playing and had the same philosophy. Then in the background I am very detailed and structured in the way I see training and developing a style of play.
“I like to dominate on the ball and press very aggressively when we don’t have it. That’s what we’ve been doing the last three years and we have been taking small steps, adding small details.
“But I would like to push the level of these two main aspects even harder.
“I will be the same in the way I approach people. That’s who I am. Of course (as head coach) you pick the team. We did that together and the final decisions were Dean’s.
“Those will be my decisions now and that will be a massive difference from my previous role.”
Frank is now looking to add his own assistant coaches and is looking for people he can trust, after developing close relationships with Smith, O’Kelly and the rest of the Brentford staff.
“We are good people and have a unique togetherness, and I think that can push us even further,” he said. “It’s one of our main qualities.
“One of our biggest strengths is we have that clear strategy. The second thing, that’s pretty rare in football, is that the people in charge are taking calm, non-emotional, good decisions. That is very difficult to do in football.
“Because we have that cleverness and calmness, we have a top opportunity to push forward and go to the next level as soon as possible.
“If every department here does a bit extra every day it will provide the opportunity to do that.”