Tottenham and Brentford opened 2026 with a dull goalless draw in the Premier League on Thomas Frank’s return to the Gtech Community Stadium.
Spurs boss Frank left Brentford in June after a seven-year spell with the Bees, who he guided from the Championship to the Premier League in 2021.
And the 52-year-old Dane received a warm welcome before kick-off in west London as he walked onto the pitch before the players to a standing ovation.
“It was a very nice moment, definitely going both ways – for me to them, the club and the fans, and them to me,” Frank told Media Sports after the game.
“When you have been here seven years as head coach it is a big thing. We achieved a lot of magic moments together. [It was] a nice moment before the game and then it was business as usual and we tried everything to try and win the game.”
However, Frank’s Spurs failed to impress against his former side, with both teams struggling to trouble the goalkeepers in a bland encounter that lacked quality.
Kevin Schade, who scored a hat-trick against Bournemouth on Saturday, thought he had opened the scoring early for Brentford, but his fifth-minute tap-in was quickly ruled out for offside.
The Bees were the more dangerous of the two teams, but Keane Lewis-Potter, Igor Thiago and Vitaly Janelt failed to convert promising chances.
The goalless draw – Tottenham’s first in 137 Premier League games – means Spurs remain in the bottom of half of the table in 12th, while Brentford stay a point above in ninth.
Tottenham analysis: Lacklustre Spurs fail to impress on Frank’s return
Spurs ended 2025 on a positive note with victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday, but they were unable to start the new year with the same success.
A favourite with Brentford fans, Frank’s failure to put his stamp on this Tottenham team has meant he is yet to win over Spurs’ supporters.
Against his former side, Tottenham were second best all over the pitch and lacklustre going forward, while they had limited opportunities in front of goal.
Archie Gray, who scored his first goal for the club in the win against Palace, came closest for Spurs, but his header from close-range was well blocked by Bees skipper Nathan Collins, while Richarlison had a tame effort saved by Caoimhin Kelleher late on.
Spurs’ designated forwards offered little in attack and their failure to press efficiently allowed Brentford to take charge of possession.
They were unable to call upon Brennan Johnson, who was left out of the matchday squad after having agreed to join Crystal Palace in a deal worth £35m earlier on Thursday.
