Thomas Frank reveals Premier League rule he would change as honest Tottenham verdict given

Thomas Frank has had a decent start to life at Tottenham (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has revealed he would change the current handball rule and implement a timeout during each half if given the chance.

Managers across the Premier League have expressed their frustration at the current interpretation of the handball rule, with multiple penalties being awarded over the past 12 months. Current rules state a penalty should be awarded if a player "deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, for example moving the hand/arm towards the ball".

It's also a spot kick if a player "touches the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger". Frank now believes something should change. Speaking to BetMGM , the Dane said: "I would take out the handball rule as for me it’s not right. If there’s a handball and it touches your arm in the penalty area, you are giving the biggest chance to the opponent just because it ‘touches’ your arm.

“Of course, if you’re standing on the goalline and you try to save it like a goalkeeper in the old days that’s different but I simply don’t understand how if it just touches a player’s arm, and it touches their arm in certain areas, it gives the opportunity for the biggest chance in the game. It’s a rule that has to be changed to improve the game and make it fairer.”

Frank was also asked if there were any other changes he’d like to see and the former Brentford boss gave an interesting suggestion. “I’d have a timeout in each half,” added the 51-year-old.

“From a coaching perspective, I think it would be lovely to have an opportunity during the game to speak to the players and be able to adjust something.”

Frank made the move from west London to north London over the summer, taking the reigns from Ange Postecoglou despite the club's Europa League success in May. The former Brondby man's first competitive game was the penalty loss to PSG in the UEFA Super Cup final, while in the Premier League Spurs have won two of their opening three games.

“I think it’s been a good start to the season so far – I’ve been really pleased with how the players have approached things since I’ve come into the football club,” Frank said. “We’ve played three games in the Premier League and one in the UEFA Super Cup and I’ve been happy with three of the performances. We weren’t good enough against Bournemouth but overall from where we started to where we are now, I’m satisfied.

“I’m never super, super satisfied unless we have won every game and performed to a really high level – but it’s been a good and positive start, which, for me, is the main thing. Confidence breeds more confidence and you get a lot of positive things out of that which is why it’s always really important to start the season well.

“You get that feeling that you’re on the right track and doing the right things and I think for the most part we’ve done that so far. The players have been fantastic from my first day here and I’m learning more and more about them every day. It’s about how they react to certain situations, what works and what doesn’t and also what they are like as people and also as players.

“I think all head coaches and managers have their own way of doing things and I’m no different. The one thing I always think about coaching philosophy is do what you believe in – I’m me, I can’t be anyone else and I need to do what I believe in both on and off the pitch.

“I need to come across the way I am and I think that’s the best way for players to buy into what you’re trying to get across in the way you do things. That’s not to say you shouldn’t seek inspiration from other people. When I was younger I was definitely looking to other coaches to see how they were doing it to get a bit of help and I still do that now, albeit a bit differently.

“Where I am in my career it’s more looking at others from a tactical standpoint. You might spot a little tweak another coach or manager makes and see if there’s a way you can use that on your team. I think most around the world do that and I guess it’s just how much influence you want from others in terms of what you do.”

So what does success look like this season? Is it qualifying for the Champions League? Is it wining more silverware?

“Success this season is building something that is sustainable and strong. I want us to consistently perform at our highest level each and every game," the Spurs boss admitted.

“If we can do that we will win enough games to get us into a place where we want to be, so that’s the aim. I’ve been in the Premier League for four years now, it’s so competitive and relentless. Every team, player and manager is so good you have to be on it every time you step on the pitch.

“I know everyone wants to talk about the future but, for me, the most important thing is the here and now. It’s easy to talk about the months and years to come – we need to think about what we are building in this moment as that is what we can control.”