Thomas Frank Reveals He Was Interviewed by Manchester United and Chelsea on the Same Day — With the Future Tottenham Manager Even Speaking to Sir Jim Ratcliffe Inside the British Billionaire’s Garage
Thomas Frank has built a reputation as one of the most respected, forward-thinking managers in English football, but even his rise has rarely produced a story as remarkable as the one he recently revealed: he was interviewed by Manchester United and Chelsea on the exact same day, a whirlwind experience that showcased just how highly he was regarded across the Premier League’s top clubs. In an extraordinary twist, the interview with United didn’t take place in a boardroom, hotel suite, or office — but in Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s garage, one of the most unusual locations ever used for a meeting concerning one of the biggest jobs in football.
Speaking with a level of openness rarely seen among top-flight managers, Frank described the chaotic, surreal, and ultimately career-defining day that saw two of England’s most prestigious clubs attempt to secure his services. His account sheds new light on the managerial recruitment processes of elite clubs, the behind-the-scenes urgency at both United and Chelsea during their respective transitional periods, and the unpredictable journey that ultimately led him to Tottenham Hotspur.
This is the full story of that remarkable day — a tale of timing, ambition, and the fierce competition for one of the most admired coaching minds in the Premier League.
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A Day That Began Like No Other
Thomas Frank admitted that the day in question started under a cloud of secrecy, as both Manchester United and Chelsea sought to move quickly to secure a manager capable of initiating long-term rebuilds. Both clubs were coming off turbulent seasons, each desperate to redefine their identity.
Frank, then the highly praised manager of Brentford, had long drawn admiration from executives across England due to:
His tactical clarity
Player development philosophy
Transformative effect on Brentford
Analytical approach to recruitment
Calm, charismatic leadership
Ability to outperform clubs with significantly larger budgets
This combination made him one of the most in-demand managers in Europe, and his schedule reflected that—so tightly that, on this particular day, both Chelsea and Manchester United ended up booking interviews only hours apart.
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The Chelsea Interview: Professional, Polished, and Predictable
Frank’s first meeting of the day took place with Chelsea, at a more traditional location befitting a top Premier League club. The Chelsea hierarchy presented what he described as a “well-organised, highly polished” meeting that reflected their vision of a project built on youth, high-intensity football, and long-term structural changes.
Chelsea’s approach was detailed, corporate, and intentionally impressive. They outlined:
A three-year squad-building plan
Technical expectations
Data integration
Support structure
A roadmap for academy integration
Frank praised the professionalism of the meeting and acknowledged that Chelsea’s sporting operation seemed eager to convince him that the club was turning a corner after multiple managerial changes. While the interview impressed him, it was, in his own words, “exactly what you anticipate from a top English club—slick, serious, and conventional.”
Nothing could have prepared him for what was coming next.
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The Manchester United Interview: A Garage, A Billionaire, and a Vision
Shortly after finishing with Chelsea, Frank travelled for his next meeting — one that would become the centrepiece of his story. Instead of a conference centre or executive suite, he found himself in a place he could hardly believe:
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s personal garage.
According to Frank, he arrived expecting a typical corporate setting. Instead, he was guided into the billionaire’s garage, where Ratcliffe was waiting beside a collection of classic cars, bikes, and high-performance vehicles.
Rather than being put off by the unconventional setting, Frank described it as “practical, genuine, and strangely intimate.” Ratcliffe, he said, preferred authenticity over ceremony, wanting a real conversation rather than a corporate pitch.
In the garage, among engine oil, vintage number plates, and the echo of decades-old motorsport passion, Ratcliffe laid out:
His vision for Manchester United
The long-term structural overhaul he intended
The importance of culture, leadership, and human qualities
Why Frank’s personality fit the new direction of the club
It was a managerial interview like no other — raw, direct, and deeply personal.
Frank said Ratcliffe spoke with conviction and humility, telling him:
> “We’re rebuilding a football club, not just hiring a manager.”
The garage became symbolic: a place where Ratcliffe felt comfortable, grounded, and able to speak freely. Frank left the meeting saying it was “unexpected, but incredibly honest.”
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A Tale of Two Interviews: Structure vs. Soul
Comparing the two experiences, Frank said the contrast could not have been sharper:
Chelsea Manchester United
Polished and corporate Personal and unconventional
Grid-based presentations Free-flowing conversation
Sporting directors leading Ratcliffe leading personally
Office or meeting room A billionaire’s garage
Heavily data-driven pitch Culture-first and emotional
Frank admitted that while Chelsea’s interview was impressive, United’s was memorable in a way that left a lasting impression. Ratcliffe’s hands-on approach signalled seriousness and intent — proof that the club’s new leadership wanted a manager aligned with their values, not just their tactics.
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Why Frank Ultimately Did Not Choose Chelsea or United
Despite receiving interest from both clubs, Frank surprised many when he later accepted the challenge of managing Tottenham Hotspur, a decision he said was based on timing, familiarity with the project, and a sense of “natural fit.”
At Spurs, Frank found:
A club seeking identity
A stable sporting structure
A squad ready to be shaped
Less chaotic expectations
Greater alignment with his footballing philosophy
He believed he could build something meaningful there without the political pressures and enormous expectations that come with clubs of United and Chelsea’s stature.
Ultimately, the whirlwind day of interviews was crucial to his decision-making. He saw firsthand:
Chelsea’s corporate machinery
United’s emotional reconstruction
Tottenham’s football-first model
He chose the path he felt offered the clearest alignment.
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What the Story Reveals About Premier League Football Today
Thomas Frank’s revelations offer rare insight into the inner workings of top-flight managerial recruitment:
1. Elite clubs are becoming more aggressive in pursuing managers.
Clubs are no longer waiting until the summer—they move immediately when they spot an opportunity.
2. The personalities of owners now play a bigger role than ever.
Ratcliffe’s garage interview highlights how modern club ownership is personal, not purely corporate.
3. Managers are prioritising structure and stability over prestige.
Tottenham—traditionally considered behind United and Chelsea in global stature—won because they offered balance.
4. The Premier League is a battlefield for elite managerial talent.
Two top clubs fighting for the same coach in a single day shows the competitiveness at the top level.
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Conclusion: A Day That Defined a Manager’s Future
Thomas Frank’s story of interviewing with Manchester United and Chelsea on the same day — including a surreal garage meeting with Sir Jim Ratcliffe — is one of the most fascinating behind-the-scenes accounts of modern Premier League recruitment. It reveals not only the chaotic intensity of elite management hiring but also the human element that still exists beneath football’s corporate surface.
Frank ultimately chose Tottenham, but his story shows that on that extraordinary day, two giants of English football were willing to do almost anything to secure him. And in the most unexpected setting — inside a billionaire’s garage — he discovered just how personal the world’s biggest jobs can truly be.
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