But can he do it in the Champions League? It was one of the grumbles from the Tottenham fanbase when their club appointed Thomas Frank given how his experience of European football extended to little more than a handful of Europa League qualifiers with Brondby more than a decade ago.
It was a nervy big-time debut for the manager, his team retreating into their shells after half-time, looking to hold on to the lead they were presented with at the outset by one of the ultimate goalkeeping howlers.
It was a moment to haunt Villarreal’s Luiz Júnior, who was the greatest danger to his team in front of their goal. Tottenham could get little going as an attacking force. Luiz Júnior had further wobbly moments, although he got away with them.
Villarreal pressed on to the front foot and it was a night when the yellow cards fluttered and the referee, Rade Obrenovic, never gave the impression he was fully in control. Spurs certainly had none of that. Xavi Simons was fortunate to escape a second yellow card just after the hour for a hack at Nicolas Pépé, Villarreal’s former Arsenal winger, who made light of the jeers he heard to produce a man-of-the-match performance.
Another former Arsenal player provided the real sideshow. Thomas Partey, who will appear at Southwark crown court on Wednesday morning to answer rape charges, was brought off the Villarreal bench in the 77th minute and, suffice to say, it was difficult to hear the announcement of his name.
