While context might be missing in this T20I series – especially for Pakistan, who have a Champions Trophy to worry about – we could be in for some intrigue

Danyal Rasool30-Nov-2024The T20 World Cup is about as far away as it can get. Zimbabwe still have to qualify for it, while ODIs remain Pakistan’s main focus ahead of the Champions Trophy next year, for which they are the official hosts. As such, the ODI series, which they wrapped up 2-1, will carry far greater significance for Pakistan than anything that happens in this T20I series in Bulawayo.Zimbabwe are looking to follow up their T20I dominance in the subregional qualifier with a higher-profile result this time, buoyed by their upset of Pakistan in the first ODI. They did start their five-match T20I series against India with a win earlier this year, and against a similarly experimental Pakistan side, they will fancy their chances of a win or two.Sikandar Raza leads the side in the absence of the experience of Sean Williams and Craig Ervine, while Wessly Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza and Ryan Burl return to the squad after their absence from the 50-over format. While the men’s side took on Pakistan in the ODI series, Madhevere scored a third-innings hundred for Eagles against Rhinos in the Logan Cup. None of the squad has had any T20 exposure since that subregional qualifier, but few will forget what happened in the sides’ most recent – and perhaps most famous – T20I encounter.Pakistan are unsure about their T20I side at present, as indicated by a late announcement on Friday that they were adding three players – Saim Ayub, Aamer Jamal and Abrar Ahmed – from the ODI squad into the T20I series following impressive showings over the past week.Zimbabwe’s batters have had a tough time in T20Is of late•Associated PressAfter Pakistan rested Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi from the tour, white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan is also out for the T20Is, with Salman Agha taking his place as captain. Ayub, who Pakistan initially called into the international set-up owing to his T20 prowess, has gradually become more useful to Pakistan in the longer formats, though his recall – he will start the first game – potentially puts him on the pathway to being Pakistan’s all-format opener.Balance, though, remains an intractable problem for Pakistan. The three-match T20I series against Australia saw them swept aside 3-0, being bowled out in both of the last two matches, after losing nine wickets in a seven-over contest in Brisbane. With Pakistan opting against playing an allrounder in the first game, that issue does persist, with a long tail in a side that features Irfan Khan at No. 7. He has managed just 79 runs across six innings on Pakistan’s tours of Australia and Zimbabwe so far, and Zimbabwe may sense Pakistan’s lower-middle order can be ran through.For Zimbabwe to give themselves the best chance, though, they have significant improvements to make with the bat. They finished with below-par totals in all three ODIs, and the bowlers had to bail them out in the first. No batter has looked in the kind of touch that threatened to control an innings, and wickets in clumps was a regular feature of the ODI series. The bowling they face will be a step-up from anything they have dealt with in the Logan Cup or the regional qualifier last month, and by now, Pakistan understand this is the most obvious vulnerability to exploit.Like the ODI series, though, both sides will ultimately move on from these three games fairly quickly once they are over. But as the Bulawayo crowd demonstrated over the previous three games, Queens Sports Club could be a very enjoyable place to be over the next week or so.

Gio Reyna, Joe Scally and Ricardo Pepi are back in the U.S. men's national team squad for upcoming friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay. Mauricio Pochettino on Thursday announced his roster for the final two friendlies of 2025, and it doesn't include Christian Pulisic, who headlines a list of USMNT stars who have been dealing with injuries.

• Getty Images
  

  Some major returns

  Pochettino's 25-man squad for the November matches features 11 players that were not in the October camp, headlined by the returns of Reyna, Scally and Pepi. Reyna and Scally are back in the team for the first time since the Nations League collapse in March, while Pepi and Auston Trusty return to the USMNT squad for the first time since last November – Pochettino's second camp after taking over the team.

  Reyna's return comes on the heels of a move to Borussia Monchengladbach, where he reunited with longtime friend and former NYCFC youth team teammate Scally in the Bundesliga. Pepi, meanwhile, is back from injury and scoring again for PSV, having recently netted in three of his last four games, including Champions League matches against Napoli and Olympiacos.

  Trusty rejoins a central defense pool that includes Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream and Miles Robinson following the team's recent switch to a three-centerback system.

  There are 11 MLS players, overall, on the roster, and nine are still active in the playoffs.

  Sebastian Berhalter and the Vancouver Whitecaps have already advanced to the Western Conference semifinals, while Ream (Charlotte FC), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Max Arfsten, Patrick Schulte and Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew), Roman Celentano and Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati) and Matt Freese (New York City FC) will all play decisive Game 3 matches this weekend.

  New England Revolution goalkeeper and former USMNT starter Matt Turner was not called-in for this camp.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  Injury absences

  The team has been hit by something of an injury crisis in recent weeks, leading to several notable absences. Pulisic is chief among them, as a hamstring injury sustained in last month's friendly against Australia kept him out of action for AC Milan and, ultimately now, the USMNT. Interestingly, Pulisic has reportedly resumed training and is expected to return to Milan’s squad for Saturday’s Serie A trip to Parma.

  Star attacker Tim Weah is also out, having recently sustained an injury with Marseille, while Cameron Carter-Vickers will be on the shelf for a several months due to an Achilles issue.

  Pochettino opted to leave out several players who have either recently returned or are nearing a return. Those players include Malik Tillman and Johnny Cardoso, while Antonee Robinson, who has battled injury issues for most of 2025, is also out.

  Also missing are regulars Chris Richards and Weston McKennie, who were not named to the squad.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Squad in full

  GOALKEEPERS: Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Jonathan Klinsmann (Cesena), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew) 

  DEFENDERS: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Orlando City), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse FC), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), John Tolkin (Holstein Kiel), Auston Trusty (Celtic) 

  MIDFIELDERS: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Gio Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Tanner Tessmann (Olympique Lyon), Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew) 

  FORWARDS: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Haji Wright (Coventry City) 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  What Pochettino said

  "As we continue to develop our squad and build on the culture we have created, this is another great opportunity for the players selected for this roster to prove they deserve to be on the final list for the World Cup,” Pochettino said. “It's important that they come into this camp prepared to show their qualities on the field and their commitment to being a good teammate. We will keep working on the competitive details in training and have the opportunity to challenge ourselves against two high-quality opponents from South America.”

  Ahead of next year's home World Cup, Pochettino is tasked with helping drive the growth of the sport in the U.S., telling BBC Sport this week that "the motivation is massive. Sometimes you feel that people don't understand too much.

  "You find some coaches that say, 'Oh you know, you need to know the culture of the American player.' I say 'No, I know the most important thing is the culture of football and soccer. We need to translate the culture of football to the American player.' I think after one year we are making great progress.

  "We are building with people that the language of football is only one, and it doesn't care if you are American, Brazilian or English. Our football is to compete in the way that you need to compete, if you want to win."

Chris Sale has been named an All-Star for the second straight year. This is quite the accomplishment for the 36-year old who hadn't been an All-Star since 2018 and missed the entirety of the 2020 season after having Tommy John surgery.

Sale isn't quite where he was last year when he won his first Cy Young, but it's still an impressive showing considering where he was just a few short years ago. Even more importantly, it's a chance for Sale to prove to his youngest kids that he's pretty good. Sale explained what his kids thought of him as a baseball player using a joke he stole from Jake Peavey.

"I remember Jake Peavy telling me one time and I felt like this a few years when I was going through it I remember him telling me when he had three sons at the time he's like my oldest son knew I was a bad—. My middle son knows I played baseball. My youngest son thinks I stink. I stole that joke from him a few years ago. It's cool to let the boys in the house know dad's still got it a little bit."

Peavy retired when he was 35, four years after his last All-Star appearance. By the time Sale retires, hopefully all his kids know he was a bad—.

The Cincinnati Reds took on the Miami Marlins on Tuesday. In the bottom of the first inning Matt McLain hit a home run to give the Reds a 1-0 lead. And yet McLain didn't even get the biggest cheer in the Cincinnati dugout during the half-inning.

That honor went to pitcher Andrew Abbott, who wasn't even scheduled to pitch until Wednesday. The reason? The news reached the dugout that Abbott was going to his first All-Star game.

The news was made official in a tweet from MLB less than an hour later.

Abbott made his MLB debut in 2023 and started 46 games in his first two seasons. This year he is 7-1 with a 2.15 ERA and has thrown one of the only six complete game shutouts in MLB this season. He's given up one or fewer runs in 12 of his 15 starts this year.

Keeper-batter’s first List A century for Durham was followed by Will Rhodes’ maiden List A five-for

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay05-Aug-2025A brilliant century from Ollie Robinson and an excellent all-round effort from Will Rhodes led Durham to a 51-run victory over Sussex in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.Robinson’s counter-attacking century, which was his first List A ton for Durham, supported by a gutsy innings from Rhodes fired Durham to a total of 310 for 7 from their 50 overs, with Archie Lenham the pick of the Sussex bowlers.Sussex’s chase of 311 got off to a poor start as they found themselves 86 for 4 at one point, but middle order runs from Danny Lamb dragged his side back in the game.However, Rhodes secured Durham the opening day victory with his first ever List A five-wicket haul.Sussex won the toss at a sunny Roseworth Terrace and elected to bowl first and they got off to a great start as Alex Lees edged a Fynn Hudson-Prentice delivery behind to Charlie Tear in the opening over.Rhodes and Emilio Gay settled Durham down after the early loss and reached 50 in the powerplay as the former produced a crunching straight drive for four.Rhodes then reached his half-century from 43 balls on his List A debut for Durham, while Gay started to show some aggression as he took the aerial route to find the cover boundary.Gay then tried to launch a Jack Carson delivery down the ground for six, but he was caught well by Ari Karvelas for 34.
Sussex then struck again as Lamb bowled Colin Ackermann for 14 to leave things finely poised.Robinson joined Rhodes at the crease and looked to be proactive as he pulled a Lenham ball for four and he followed that up with a cut shot on the back foot that went for four.Rhodes then hit the first maximum of the day as he gave a Carson ball the treatment with a beautiful slog sweep.Robinson then got his fifty from 47 balls, getting to the milestone with a six, but Rhodes fell four short of his century as Lenham got him caught at deep square. Wickets then came like buses for Sussex as Lamb got Ben Raine for six.
Despite the wickets, Robinson kept the scoreboard ticking over and picked up another maximum as he pulled a Henry Crocombe ball over the ropes.Haydon Mustard, making his first appearance of the season, also looked to move Durham towards 300 as he picked up a couple of boundaries including a lovely cut shot.Mustard then fell for a lively 36, but Robinson reached his century off 78 balls to take his side to a big total.
The centurion fell for 100 exactly, Ari Karvelas picking up the wicket, but Durham reached 310 for seven at the end of their 50 overs.Tom Haines and Danial Ibrahim started Sussex’s chase of 311, but it got off to a bad start as Ibrahim was caught behind off the bowling of Codi Yusuf for two.Durham cranked up the pressure as George Drissell got Tom Clark caught behind for 14.Haines showed a glimpse of some aggression as he reverse swept Drissell for four, however, Tear departed for nine after he pulled a Mitch Killeen delivery straight to Yusuf in the deep.Killeen then struck again as he got Haines for 23 as he chipped one straight to Ackermann at mid-on.Hudson-Prentice was frustrating Durham and he took a liking to James Minto’s bowling as he smashed one over the square boundary and out of the ground.Durham got the big wicket of Hudson-Prentice for 43 as he went for a second run, but a throw came in from Yusuf and Robinson whipped the bails off with aplomb.Oli Carter then hammered one from Drissell down the ground for six and followed that up with a four off Minto.
Danny Lamb then hit Ben Raine for six to boost his team’s hopes and he backed that up with a tidy flick off his legs for four a few balls later.Lamb continued his charge, dragging his side back into the game with some powerful strokes and reached his fifty from 35 balls.However, Carter departed for 38 as Rhodes got him caught behind to halt Sussex’s momentum. Lamb continued his assault on the Durham attack as he pulled a Yusuf ball for four, but Rhodes got another wicket, getting Carson caught and bowled for four.Rhodes got his third, removing Lamb for an excellent 74 to leave Durham on the verge of victory.
Rhodes then wrapped things up for Durham to bowl Sussex out for 259 and he finished with figures of 5 for 30.

Tottenham Hotspur have submitted an official bid for Ferran Torres, with Barcelona chiefs now in a debate over whether to sell the forward.

Spurs’ interest in a new forward may stem from the fact they have struggled in front of goal at times this season, perhaps partially due to Dominic Solanke’s absence, recording an xG of just 0.10 across the entire match in the 1-0 defeat against Chelsea earlier this month.

Not only that, but it would be fair to say some of the summer signings haven’t hit the ground running, with Randal Kolo Muani failing to find the back of the net in his opening eight matches across all competitions.

Pundit Johan Derksen has also been very critical of Xavi Simons, saying: “That Simons, he is physically incompetent. In England, they are all skilled on the ball and can all play football, but you also need physical strength.

“Tijjani Reijnders has that, and so do the guys at Liverpool, but Simons is getting lost in the onslaught. Simply because he is physically incompetent.”

Although it is still early days for Simons and Kolo Muani, it is no surprise Thomas Frank & co want to bring in a new forward this January, and they have now made an official approach for a La Liga star.

Tottenham submit offer for Ferran Torres

According to a report from Spain, Tottenham have now submitted an official offer for Barcelona star Torres, with club chiefs now debating whether to cash-in, given that they could do with generating funds, in light of their financial situation.

Spurs’ proposal amounts to €65m (£57m), which is tempting, but there are hints that the north Londoners may even be willing to offer more, as they are ‘determined’ to get a deal done, even if the La Liga club reject the opening offer.

Barca are yet to make a decision about the Spaniard’s future, but if they do end up being willing to sanction a departure, the 25-year-old could be a statement signing for Frank’s side.

Having initially struggled to make an impact at the Camp Nou, the former Manchester City man has developed year-on-year to become an important player, chipping in with seven goals in all competitions already this season.

Ferran Torres’ goal record by season

La Liga appearances

Goals

2021-22

18

4

2022-23

33

4

2023-24

29

7

2024-25

27

10

2025-26

11

5

Should he continue scoring at the current rate, the Spain international, who has been lauded as “world-class” by Xavi, is on course to have his best season yet, so it is understandable that Barcelona are hesitant about cashing-in.

However, should Tottenham be able to get a deal done, Torres could be the ideal addition to Frank’s squad, not least because the manager’s current options are struggling, with Mathys Tel on just two goals in all competitions this term.

Update on Tottenham's pursuit of Antoine Semenyo Related Tottenham given Semenyo update with sources convinced forward 'will be through the door'

The Lilywhites could sign an attacker in January.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Nov 13, 2025

Celtic have now reportedly been “made aware” of an opportunity to sign Raheem Sterling from Chelsea in the January transfer window, with the winger still frozen out at Stamford Bridge.

It’s a busy time for the Hoops, who were thrown into chaos when Brendan Rodgers made an unexpected decision to resign earlier this season – sparking the return of Martin O’Neill on an interim basis.

Celtic keeping tabs on "brilliant" Serie A gem who starred vs Rangers last season

He’s now struggling for form in Italy.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 12, 2025

Since then, the 73-year-old has turned back the clock to get Celtic back on track and send the rumour mill into overdrive that he could yet extend his second stint in charge of the club.

O’Neill, however, has often distanced himself from the permanent job and candidates such as Wilfried Nancy and Kjetil Nkutsen are beginning to emerge as potential options to take the reins.

The next two weeks should be crucial for Celtic in their managerial search, but it remains to be seen whether they’ll have a new name in charge by the time that the international break comes to an end.

If their search is ongoing, then O’Neill has reiterated that he’ll be happy to stick around until the club no longer need his services – telling reporters: “I will be here as long as the football board wants me, it’s as simple as that.”

Of course, whoever is in charge will have plenty of work to do in the January transfer window, with Celtic in need of reinforcements and a number of potential options already coming to the fore.

Celtic "made aware" of Raheem Sterling option

As Graeme Bailey told 67 Hail Hail, Celtic have now been “made aware” of the chance to sign Sterling in January, as Chelsea continue to give the four-time Premier League winner the cold shoulder in West London.

Without an appearance all season, the former Manchester City winger desperately needs a move this winter, but must face up to the reality of a significant pay-cut if he is to move onto a club like Celtic. As things stand, Sterling earns an eye-watering £16.9m-a-year at Chelsea.

To put that figure into context, Celtic’s record signing, Adam Idah cost them £11m so, in one swoop, Sterling’s wages alone would beat the Bhoys’ record transfer fee and that’s simply not doable in Glasgow. The Chelsea man will need to make a major sacrifice.

There would also be question marks over Sterling’s ability to make an instant impact. Although former Chelsea boss Graham Potter dubbed the winger “excellent” during his time at the club, those days are long gone and he hasn’t played a senior game since a loan spell at Arsenal last season. Even if he were to halve his salary, it would be an expensive gamble for Celtic.

Desmond set to hold talks with "amazing" 4-2-3-1 manager this week

Home side bowled out in 24.3 overs, then blitzed in chase that only last 20.5

Firdose Moonda02-Sep-2025

South Africa 137 for 3 (Markram 86) beat England 131 (Smith 54, Maharaj 4-22, Mulder 3-33) by seven wicketsEngland’s batters lasted more than 100 balls, but not much more. They were dismissed in 147 balls for their fourth-lowest total against South Africa in a display of batting that could best be described as fatigued, perhaps from a month of playing in the Hundred.By the time South Africa’s batters had faced 100 balls, the job was as good as done. Aiden Markram scored the fastest fifty by a South African opener, off 23 balls, and dominated an opening stand of 121 with Ryan Rickelton to take South Africa home and open the series with an emphatic win. They batted for 125 balls.The whole match lasted just 272 balls, perhaps as a nod to the difference in preparation for these two sides for this series to where there are on the road to 2027. While South Africa played a series Australia, England only had an optional training session as they rolled in straight from the Hundred. That may also mean England are just beginning their planning for the next World Cup, while South Africa see themselves as on the path as they seek to adopt a more fearless style of play. England often use that kind of language but their loose drives and soft chips were more reckless than brave against a well-drilled South African attack.Keshav Maharaj, recently elevated to No. 1 on the ICC’s ODI bowling rankings, was the most successful bowler and picked up the third four-for of his career. Wiaan Mulder scooped 3 for 33 to mark only the second time he has taken three wickets in an ODI. South Africa also took all their catching chances, seven in total, after a ragged showing in Australia, and made good on Temba Bavuma’s decision to bowl first.England started off in signature style as Jamie Smith closed out the first over with back-to-back drives off full Nandre Burger deliveries and Ben Duckett pushed one past Lungi Ngidi that went for four. But Burger also found swing and in his second over, Duckett was tempted to play at a good-length ball without moving his feet and nicked off to continue a tough run. Duckett only had one score over 20 in eight innings in the Hundred but concerns about his form seemed immaterial when Joe Root drove Burger for four with a high elbow off the second ball he faced and held the pose for good measure.Runs kept coming in boundaries as Root took two off Ngidi and Smith took advantage of width from Burger. However, Bavuma stuck with his frontline seamers and it paid off. Root prodded at an Ngidi ball and edged behind, Ryan Rickelton diving to his right to hold the ball in his glove but it popped out as he hit the ground. He was able to get both gloves to the rebound and claimed the catch, which was confirmed on replay.Harry Brook responded by tonking Ngidi’s first ball for four and Smith just kept swinging. Corbin Bosch was brought on in the ninth over but was guided past third and then through midwicket as Smith entered the 30s. England finished the Powerplay on 57 for 2, with 44 of those runs in boundaries.The Smith-Brook partnership grew to 38 and the pair were on top of South Africa’s seamers when a moment of misjudgement separated them. Brook hit Mulder into the covers and called for two but the second run wasn’t on, Tristan Stubbs swooped in and threw to Rickelton, who broke the stumps and England were 82 for 3. Still, with Smith batting well, they would not have had many concerns. Smith brought up his second ODI fifty, and second successive one, when he sent Maharaj through the covers for four off the 46th ball he faced.At the end of that over, Jos Buttler hit the ball to the boundary, where Tony de Zorzi dived to stop four and hurt his hamstring in the process. He left the field for treatment, did not field again and was not required to bat.An incident like that could easily have shifted momentum England’s way but the opposite happened. In the next over, Smith flicked Mulder to fine leg, Bosch made good ground to his left and took an excellent one-handed catch and the collapse had begun. England lost seven wickets for 29 runs in 43 balls and almost all of them were avoidable.Jacob Bethell was lured into a drive by a floated up Maharaj delivery, got a thin edge and the ball was parried off Rickelton’s gloves to Markram at slip. He took the catch while almost blindsided by his own keeper. Will Jacks popped a simple return chance back to Maharaj; Buttler was leaden-footed when he drove and inside-edged Mulder to Rickelton and Jofra Archer nicked the next ball low to first slip, where Markram picked up another. Mulder was on a hat-trick but Maharaj cleaned up. He had Adil Rashid trapped in front of leg stump and removed debutant Sonny Baker’s middle stump to dismiss England inside 25 overs.Baker would be the first to attempt to defend their score. Given the opening over on debut, his second ball slid down leg and Markram helped it on its way for four. Baker then overcompensated and offered width as Markram cashed in on the off side. The first over went for 14 runs.Rickelton, who has struggled for rhythm from the Australia tour, could not find any early on in England either. He could not get Archer’s first four balls away and then edged the fifth one in the direction of first slip. Root claimed the catch as he seemed to think he got his fingers under the ball and while some replays agreed, others seemed to show the ball bouncing just in front. Rickelton was given not out. Archer finished the over by hitting him on the pads but England didn’t review. If they had, Hawk-Eye showed the ball would have been hitting leg stump and Rickelton would have been out for a duck.Instead, he watched as Markram continued to show Baker no mercy and took 20 off his second over, including two sixes. Rickelton’s opportunity finally came against Baker in his third over and he just about found his touch. He drove Baker for four, edged him short of slip and then flicked off the pads. Despite his first three overs costing 44 runs, Baker got a fourth over and still could not get it right. He overpitched, Markram drove for four, then down the ground and then over the covers to bring up his half-century off 23 balls, with 44 runs scored in boundaries.Baker’s four overs cost 56 runs and he was taken out of the attack before bring brought back in the 12th over and delivering a boundary-free six balls. His relief was short-lived. Baker’s next two overs cost 18 runs and his final analysis of 7-0-76-0 was the most expensive by an England player on debut.Markram had three figures in his sights but with 11 runs left to win was strongly caught by Smith at cover, who intercepted a ball that was destined for the boundary. Bavuma tried to finish it quickly but was caught at mid-off and Tristan Stubbs’ nightmare run continued as he was bowled for a duck to leave Rashid on a hat-trick. Across all formats, Stubbs has only scored one half-century in 35 innings this year. Dewald Brevis finished it off with a six as England lost for the third successive time to South Africa.

Thomas Frank has lifted the lid on a remarkable moment from his Brentford tenure, revealing he was interviewed for the Manchester United job inside Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s garage — just hours before holding another meeting with Chelsea. The Tottenham boss says he still can’t believe he spoke with two of the world’s biggest clubs on the same day before United eventually chose Ruben Amorim.

Frank reveals talks with Man Utd in Ratcliffe's garage

Frank has revealed that he was formally interviewed by Manchester United during their search for a new manager in the summer of 2024, and the unusual talks took place in Ratcliffe’s garage. It came as the Red Devils were weighing up potential successors to Erik ten Hag before eventually delaying the change until six months later. Frank also travelled across London later that same day to discuss a separate vacancy with Chelsea, who ultimately appointed Enzo Maresca instead.

The Dane, then Brentford manager, had been firmly established as a Premier League success story, having guided the Bees into the top flight and cemented them as a stable mid-table force. His work placed him on the radar of both clubs as they conducted parallel managerial searches ahead of what they hoped would be major rebuilds. But while both sides admired his progression, neither interview resulted in an immediate job offer.

Frank has revealed that the interview with Ratcliffe occurred while Manchester United’s squad were travelling to London ahead of the FA Cup final, which they went on to win 2-1 over Manchester City. That victory gave Ten Hag a temporary lifeline before the club replaced him with Amorim the following November. Frank, meanwhile, remained with Brentford until Tottenham triggered his release clause in 2025.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSpurs boss reveals back-to-back interviews in 2024

Speaking to Danish outlet TV2, Frank described the surreal nature of the day in detail, insisting the experience alone proved just how far he had climbed in his coaching career: “Sitting down to talk to two of the ten biggest clubs in the world – two hours apart – is quite unique.”

Reflecting on the moment he found himself walking between the two milestone meetings, he added: “I know I didn't get either job, but it was still huge. I remember walking through Battersea Park between the two interviews and thinking: ‘Thomas Frank from f*cking Frederiksvaerk – am I really experiencing this?’”

Getty Images SportFrank finally got his big move in 2025 with Spurs

Frank’s account of the day was included in an upcoming book, , which charts his rise from Danish football to managing in Europe’s biggest league. It also details the significance of him becoming someone considered by clubs that dominate the modern game financially and historically. For Frank, the episode symbolised not disappointment, but validation — the proof that his meticulous work had been noticed beyond Brentford’s buzzing west-London bubble.

Chelsea’s interest came at a time when the Blues were again struggling for stability, while United explored several candidates ahead of a transition in leadership after Ineos took a controlling role in football operations. The fact that Frank was seriously interviewed by both within hours of each other underlined his rising reputation. While neither club opted for him then, it cemented his name among the elite managerial conversation.

The following year, Frank finally received his major move. Tottenham parted ways with Ange Postecoglou in 2025 after a 17th-place finish, sparking an overhaul that saw Spurs activate Frank’s clause. The Dane took charge in June and has since overseen a respectable start, with five wins and three defeats leaving Spurs firmly in the top-four race after 11 matches in the league.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Frank's story so far at Tottenham…

Frank’s Tottenham remain unbeaten in Europe and are now preparing for a major test against league leaders Arsenal after the international break. His side have shown promise under his intense, structure-focused style.

As for Manchester United, Amorim is now firmly in post, though their long-term direction under Ratcliffe continues to evolve. Frank’s revelation serves as a reminder of just how close the managerial landscape can shift, and how different the Premier League might look had that interview in a billionaire’s garage ended differently.

For Frank himself, the door to the biggest benches in world football has clearly opened once, and there is little doubt it could open again. Spurs may prove the beginning of a journey that sees his name linked with such jobs for years to come.

Stats highlights from the Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand in Dubai

ESPNcricinfo stats team09-Mar-2025

India’s spinners bowled all the middle overs (11 to 40)•AFP/Getty Images

105 – Partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill in the final, the first century opening stand in this Champions Trophy.1 in 32,768 – The probability of losing 15 tosses in succession, which has happened to India in men’s ODIs now. India have, however, won ten of these 15 ODIs and lost only four times.The 15 consecutive tosses lost by India is the longest streak for any team in men’s ODIs. Netherlands’ 11 tosses lost between 2011 and 2013 was the previous longest.12 – Consecutive tosses lost by Rohit Sharma as captain in ODIs since he last won one against New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup semi-final. He has equalled the longest streak of lost tosses for a captain in men’s ODIs – Brian Lara also lost 12 between 1998 and 1999.5 – Reprieves for Rachin Ravindra through dropped catches in this Champions Trophy, including two against India in the final, the most for any batter in this tournament.Mohammed Shami dropped Ravindra off his own bowling on 28, while Shreyas Iyer dropped him on 29 off Varun Chakravarthy. Ravindra scored only 37 so the drops didn’t cost India a lot.4 – Catches dropped by India on Sunday, the most for them in a men’s ODI knockout game since the four chances they put down against Sri Lanka in the final of the 2005 Indian Oil Cup.Shreyas Iyer couldn’t latch on to this chance from Rachin Ravindra•ICC/Getty Images30 – Overs that India’s spinners bowled during the middle overs (11-40) on Sunday. The previous instance of India going all spin in this phase in men’s ODIs was against Sri Lanka in the 2002 Champions Trophy final, played on the reserve day.91 – Balls that Daryl Mitchell took to bring up his fifty on Sunday – his slowest fifty in ODIs and the slowest by any New Zealand batter in men’s ODIs since Martin Guptill’s 95-ball fifty in 2014 against West Indies.103 for 4 – New Zealand’s total during the middle overs (11-40) in the final after scoring 69 for 1 in their first ten. Only once have New Zealand scored fewer runs in that phase in a men’s ODI since 2013 – 102 for 3 against Pakistan in 2018 in Abu Dhabi.81 – Balls without a boundary for New Zealand between the 14th (Mitchell hit a four off Axar Patel) and the 27th overs (Glenn Phillips hit a six off Kuldeep Yadav).43 – Runs India scored between the 16th and 30th overs of the chase, during which they lost their top three. These are the fewest they have scored in this phase in a men’s ODI since the 42 against Pakistan in 2013 at Eden Gardens.212 – Shreyas Iyer’s batting average against New Zealand spinners in ODIs. His dismissal against Mitchell Santner in the final was his first against them after facing 233 balls. Iyer got out to fast bowlers in his previous eight ODI innings against New Zealand.