Former Spurs Manager Thomas Frank Joins BBC’s Star-Studded World Cup Coverage
Thomas Frank is poised to make a swift return to football this summer following his brief and challenging tenure at Tottenham Hotspur. The 52-year-old tactician was dismissed from his post in North London this past February after a mere eight months in charge.
Enduring a torrid campaign, he departed the club with an underwhelming record of 13 victories, ten draws and 15 defeats. However, the Danish coach is now swapping the immense pressure of the dugout for the television studio.
A new role with BBC Sport
Reports from The Guardian indicate that Frank has officially signed a contract with BBC Sport to provide expert analysis for the impending World Cup across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
He will share his tactical insights alongside a heavyweight roster of established names. Viewers can expect to see him debating the finer points of the beautiful game with former England mainstays Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer, as well as ex-goalkeeper Joe Hart and prolific French striker Olivier Giroud.
In a fascinating broadcasting rivalry, the manager who preceded Frank at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has also secured a media gig for the global tournament. Ange Postecoglou is set to cross the television divide to work for ITV. The Australian coach will be providing his own brand of analysis, joining forces with outspoken studio regulars Gary Neville, Ian Wright and Roy Keane.
England’s free-to-air television schedule
Supporters back in the UK are guaranteed comprehensive access to the global spectacle, with all 104 matches scheduled to be broadcast live on free-to-air television. When it comes to following Thomas Tuchel‘s England squad, the broadcasting duties have been divided strategically between the two major networks.
ITV will take the reins for the Three Lions’ tournament opener against Croatia and their final group stage fixture against Panama, alongside any potential quarter-final appearances.
Conversely, the BBC has placed a significant wager on the national team enjoying a deep run in the competition.
They hold the exclusive rights to England’s second group clash with Ghana and will subsequently broadcast their knockout ties in the last-32, last-16 and the semi-finals should Tuchel successfully guide his men through the latter stages.
Ultimately, fans will have their choice of commentary for the grand finale on July 19, as both broadcasters share the rights to the concluding match.
