Five Potential Brentford Managers That Could Replace Struggling Thomas Frank

With Thomas Frank under increasing pressure, there are several potential candidates to replace him as the next Brentford manager.

Brentford have slipped to 14th in the Premier League table following a run of bad results. They have lost their last four league games on the bounce, including a 4-1 pasting at home to Wolves last time out.

The Bees are now just four points above 18th-placed Luton Town, and haven’t won since beating the Hatters on 2 December.

As a result, manager Thomas Frank has been under increased scrutiny, which will only grow if they fail to beat fellow strugglers Crystal Palace this weekend.

With the potential for Frank to be leaving the club, we’ve taken a look at who could replace him:

Who Could Be The Next Brentford Manager?

While some of these candidates are more likely than others, these five men have all been linked with Brentford. Some are seasoned Premier League bosses, while others are newer to management.

But all would be interesting appointments at the Gtech Community Stadium if Thomas Frank does depart.

Graham Potter

Although he struggled at Chelsea, Graham Potter is a man with plenty of Premier League pedigree. The former Brighton boss guided the Seagulls to a top-half finish in 2021/22 before being lured to Stamford Bridge.

A great tactician with proven experience in the division, Potter has been tipped for a return to English football. Brentford also play a style not too dissimilar to how Brighton operated under Potter, so the two could suit each other well.

Brian Riemer

Take a look at what Brian Riemer (who was under Frank at Brentford for four years) has done in his 1st full season at Anderlecht:

• Anderlecht gone from 11th to 2nd

• Immediately told a few older players on high wages to leave in the summer as he deemed them not good enough,… pic.twitter.com/AV0lZ7RKCp

— MatchdayCPFC (@MatchdayCPFC) December 28, 2023

Former Brentford assistant Brian Riemer was among the favourites to succeed Frank should his Danish countryman depart Brentford. The pair both earned their coaching stripes at FC Copenhagen, before taking Brentford to the Premier League.

However, with Riemer appointed Anderlecht manager in December, it seems unlikely we will see him in the Premier League any time soon. He’s one to watch for the future, certainly.

But it seems more likely he may earn a Premier League role later into his managerial career.

Kjetil Knutsen

One last Christmas present please Leeds. #LUFC pic.twitter.com/IB1k4nTXXh

— Lord Ash ⛰️ (@Ash__1992__) December 29, 2023

Norwegian manager Kjetil Knutsen has been linked with half the teams in Britain lately. Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and Rangers have all been touted as potential destinations.

But with Leicester flying in the Championship and Rangers appointing Phillipe Clement in October, the shortlist of clubs is shrinking.

Leeds fans have been crying out for the Norwegian after their promotion-chasing form haltered recently. But it seems a Premier League club would be his preferred move.

Currently managing Bodo/Glimt in his home country, Knutsen caught the attention of clubs everywhere with his side’s 6-1 demolition of Jose Mourinho’s Roma in the Europa Conference League in 2021.

Another Scandinavian manager, his style is similar to Frank’s and many believe he would be a great fit for the West London outfit.

Roberto Martinez

Current Portugal manager Roberto Martinez was appointed following his side’s quarter-final elimination to Morocco at the World Cup in Qatar.

Despite links the the Premier League, he is still expected to lead them into the upcoming European Championships in June. Martinez has not managed a club side since 2016 after taking over as Belgium boss after their disappointing Euros.

“There are no ‘favourites’ (for #Euro2024). There’s a group expected to fight for the title: Portugal, England, Germany, France, Spain, Italy. #ENG are very competitive under Gareth.” Roberto Martinez interview 📸 ⁦@MarcAspland⁩ ⁦@TimesSport⁩https://t.co/dAtmxGHM0U

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) December 29, 2023

But he certainly has experience in English football, having managed Everton, Wigan and Swansea. Wigan fans in particular have fond memories of Martinez, who led them to their first and only FA Cup in 2013.

Could wee see the Spaniard as the next Brentford manager?

Gareth Southgate

Last on our list and perhaps a surprise pick is England boss, Gareth Southgate. The Three Lions manager has been in charge of the national team since 2016, taking them to a World Cup semi-final in 2018.

A first major tournament final since 1966 ended in heartbreak at the Euros in 2021. The penalty shootout defeat to Italy left many wondering how much Southgate has left in the tank at international level.

While it’s unlikely he would leave England in the build-up to the Euros, he has been linked with a move to the Premier League when he eventually does leave the national side.

Perhaps one to watch in the summer, he could be a major coup for Brentford, if Thomas Frank can hang on that long.