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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Jacob Steinberg

Clash of styles awaits as Frank and Maresca face off in growing rivalry

Chelsea settled on Enzo Maresca (right) as their new manager in 2024 after also talking to Thomas Frank, who left Brentford for Tottenham a year later.
Chelsea settled on Enzo Maresca (right) as their new manager in 2024 after also talking to Thomas Frank, who left Brentford for Tottenham a year later. Composite: PA; Chelsea FC/Getty Images

A few managers were in the running when Chelsea were looking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024. It was an extensive process and involved the club talking to Thomas Frank before they settled on Enzo Maresca.

The feeling was that Maresca’s positional game and focus on possession made him most suited to Chelsea’s squad of technicians. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to wait for his next opportunity. Overlooked by Manchester United after they fired Erik ten Hag, it arrived when Tottenham hired the Dane after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.

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