Thomas Frank has reiterated that he is “very happy” at Brentford and has “unfinished business” with them after being asked about links with Aston Villa.
Steven Gerrard was sacked as Aston Villa’s head coach on Thursday evening after a 3-0 loss to FulhamWith just nine points from 11 games, Craven Cottage ranked them 17th in this table.
Villa’s board are admirers of Frank, who guided BrentfordTo a 13th-placed Finish in the Premier LeagueThey were 10th in this table last season.
The Villa-born 49-year-old played down the connection at his pre-match press conference.
He said: “I understand the bookmakers I’m a good manager. He was joking, but I am very happy here. I’ve said that many times. Brentford has unfinished business for me. I think it’s also (important) to worship the good you have.”
Frank also has been linked to jobs at Leicester City, Southampton BrightonIn recent weeks, Hove Albion.
However, they were asked by The Athletic if speculation around his future was becoming a distraction to him and his players, Frank said he was only focused on Brentford’s next match.
“I can’t speak about the team because I haven’t asked them,” Frank said.
“I prefer, which we do, to only speak about the game against Villa, how we are preparing to do it with this extra challenge of who is taking over. We don’t know what they will do. I prefer to talk about the past rather than my future.
“The only player (who asked about Aston Villa) was this morning with Christian Norgaard. He just said, “Ah there’s links, there’s rumours,’ and I just said, ‘Ah yeah, there are a lot of rumours out there.”
Frank said that being a manager was a “tough, tough business” and said he had some sympathy for Gerrard.
“I watched their game against Chelsea and the way Villa played was very good,” he added. “With the mistake from (Tyrone) Mings after six minutes I was just looking at Gerrard thinking, that is tough.
“I am feeling for him. I’m a head coach and have been for many years, sometimes you need some luck from the football gods.”
(Photo: Getty Images).
