Guardiola tips Thomas Frank for a big job

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes it is only “a question of time” before Brentford manager, Thomas Frank makes a bigger switch away from the London club.

The Bees were guests of Manchester City at the weekend and gave a good account of themselves as the game finished in a narrow 2-1 win for the defending Premier League Champions.

The Cityzens have not exactly caught the eye in the campaign and purchases of Man City tickets are on the rise, with many now eager to see if they can win the league five times in a row.

After the game, Guardiola, who is a master tactician himself, had sweet words to say about his opposite man in the dugout and thinks he will be with one of the top sides soon.

Man City found a way to beat stubborn Brentford

In Manchester City’s sternest test of the new season so far, Brentford took the lead at the Etihad Stadium inside just 30 seconds courtesy of a Yoane Wissa header from close range, capitalizing on a mistake at the back for the Premier League champions.

Erling Haaland, who has been scoring aplenty this season, would help Manchester City take the lead via two strikes in quick succession inside the remainder of the first half before the hosts would see out the contest to extend their 100% start to the new campaign.

After an eventful first half, the second half did not produce any goals as the Bees made things difficult for the champions in their backyard. It goes to show that Brentford are not a team to toy with judging by their style of play and workrate in games of this magnitude.

Guardiola wowed by Frank’s ability

Following the fine contest between the two teams, Pep Guardiola was left in awe of his managerial counterpart once again, speaking highly of a coach that has caused Manchester City so many problems since he led the Bees to the topflight.

Speaking highly of the Brentford boss after City’s 2-1 win over the Bees on Saturday afternoon, Guardiola predicted that the Danish coach is only a “question of time” away from making a significant move in the game.

“It’s a question of time, he will get it,” Guardiola responded when asked whether he is surprised that a ‘bigger club’ within the European game has not already taken advantage of Frank’s abilities.

“I don’t remember in eight, nine years a team that played like Brentford in the first 30 minutes. We were not our best and they deserve to be 0-2. Every time they had the ball they created the chance. Long balls, win duels, and short passes break the lines.

“Extraordinary team, we have suffered since they were promoted, all the games against Thomas have been difficult. They were really good and we were lucky. The second half was our best and we created a lot of chances and we could score more.”

On what the Bees offer, Guardiola added: “Huge list. They are good in high pressing, second ball. Defend deep, so compact. Transition, Wissa, they are really good.

“This season high pressing, they play short passes, set pieces, every corner is a headache. Every throw-in, every free kick. Every department, all the things they do. 

“It’s the manager they have. Thomas is one of the best,” Guardiola concluded

In recent seasons, several English top-flight clubs have been looking in the direction of Thomas Frank, especially Liverpool following the decision of Jurgen Klopp to leave the club after nearly a decade there. In the end, the Reds settled for Arne Slot who has endured a strong start to life on Merseyside despite their shock 0-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest at home. 

In his words after the game, Frank said: “50 percent of me is very frustrated we didn’t get something out of the game; 50 percent is extremely proud of the team, the players and the club.

“The performance today was, overall, much, much better than two years ago.

“The first 25 minutes we were close to world-class… not many teams come here and have more possession, shots on target, xG.

“Second half they got a little bit more on top, but we stayed in the game and had two opportunities. The fans should be very proud.”

Tough times for Brentford ahead

Brentford and Frank will be pleased with their performance at the Etihad but they have a lot of things to worry about at the moment going forward.

During that game in Manchester, Wissa limped off in the first half after a challenge by midfielder Mateo Kovačić and it has been confirmed that he will now be unavailable until November.

Frank stated: “Wissa is, unfortunately, not good news: it looks like an injury that will be a couple of months.

“It’s very frustrating. We talked about our many injuries last year, I hope I don’t have to talk too much about it this year, I maybe already have.

“We were unlucky with Igor [Thiago], unlucky with [Aaron] Hickey; we’ve then had two contact injuries with Mathias Jensen and Yoane Wissa, so that’s very frustrating.

“But that’s part of football, we move on, and we will find solutions.”

He added: “It will leave a big hole. Everybody was saying we bought Igor Thiago to replace Ivan [Toney] – but we still had Wissa; we bought Igor Thiago to build the squad and provide competition in the squad.

“Wissa had a very good season last year and I thought he has started the season very well this year, with three goals in four games, that’s a very good number.

“He’s just been very important for us and that’s going to leave a hole. But, again, I will find a solution.”

Wissa has scored three times and made one assist in the Premier League this season and as Frank rightly said, a huge gap has been left behind. It will be difficult for the Bees without the Congolese and that means Bryan Mbeumo remains their goalscoring outlet until Wissa returns.

In terms of games he will be missing, Wissa will be absent in the London derbies against Tottenham and West Ham United; the game with Wolves (H), and the trip to Manchester to face United. Frank will now hope Mbeumo stays fit to help his side stay competitive until Wissa returns to the fold.