Thomas Frank has shared his belief that Tottenham's owners are "120%" committed to achieving something special at the club after having their resolve tested by an unsolicited bid of £3.3bn. The bid, fronted by former DJ and tech entrepreneur Brooklyn Earick, is the third received by the Lewis family since the departure of Daniel Levy as the club's chairman.
Lewis family has rebuffed three offers
reports the Lewis family, who own and operate Spurs though the investment company ENIC, have also received bids from an Asian consortium of investors and a group fronted by former Newcastle director Amanda Staveley. All three bids have come in the weeks following the departure of Daneil Levy as the club's chairman.
A source close to the Lewis family said: "This unsolicited and unnecessary interest does nothing to change the family's resolve and commitment to do whatever it takes to drive success on the pitch. The club is not for sale."
AdvertisementGetty Images SportFrank shares view on Lewis' family commitment to Tottenham
Speaking ahead of Spurs' Premier League clash with Wolves this weekend, Frank said he believes the club's current owners are fully committed to the project.
He said the Lewis family are: "Very, very invested. 120% committed to the club. They really want to achieve something special," he said. "They want to build, want to add, and I like the phrase, building layers, because you never go straight to the top. You can't jump five steps. That's impossible.
"So building layers is very important. I think that's also more organic and more sustainable over time. But they're very, very focused on what they can do to help the club."
However, Frank did add that he thinks it important for the owners to take a more active role in the leadership of the club. Before Levy's departure, both he and ENIC had been the subject of fan protests. While the club is in a much stronger position financially and commercially, repeated failures on the pitch and a perceived lack of investment into the squad had soured the relationship between the fans and the club. The Lewis' had previously been happy for Levy to front the response, but without him, now is the time for the owners to play a more public role according to Frank.
"If you're an owner or a leader, it's important for people to see you," he said.
Conflicting reports — Are Tottenham for sale?
Earick's group is comprised of 12 entrepreneurs with interests in the NBA and NFL. Further to the reported offer of £3.3bn for control of the club, Earick's group would make £1.2bn available for an overhaul of the club's playing squad. Reports have linked the consortium to meeting with people behind the scenes at Spurs dating back several months. It would appear Levy's departure has prompted Earick's group to again test the resolve of the Lewis family.
A statement by Spurs CEO Vinkai Venkatesham appeared to reiterate the Lewis' stance, despite conflicting reports: "There's been a lot of newspaper articles and a lot of media speculation around a takeover, so I can be really clear on this. So the Lewis family are really clear. They see their involvement in Tottenham Hotspur being long-term and they see their involvement continuing through the generations. We made a statement very late last night and a statement I hope was unambiguously clear that Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale."
Getty Images SportWill speculation affect Frank's Tottenham team?
The vibes around Tottenham have been very good to start the season, as Thomas Frank has led his team to third in the Premier League table, won their first game in their return to the Champions League and progressed to the third round of the Carabao Cup. With the current squad currently performing very well under their new manager, the distraction of a potential takeover, or speculation over the club's long-term future, are unwelcome. Frank's side continue their Premier League campaign when they take on Wolves later this evening, before they make the trip to Norway for a Champions League with Bodo/Glimt.