Thomas Frank Man United stance revealed as search for Erik ten Hag replacement begins

Brentford manager Thomas Frank admitted he would be reluctant to leave Brentford for any club - including Manchester United - just days before the Reds sacked Erik ten Hag.

Ten Hag's reign as United manager ended on Monday afternoon in the wake of Sunday's 2-1 defeat to West Ham United. The Dutchman was appointed in April 2022 and won the League Cup and FA Cup in his first two campaigns at Old Trafford, but United's dismal form in both the Premier League and Europa League this term had made his position unattainable.

A club statement issued on Monday afternoon confirmed Ruud Van Nistelrooy would take over the reins as interim manager while a permanent replacement for Ten Hag is sought. However, Frank, who has been at the helm at Brentford since October 2018, has emerged as one of the early frontrunners to succeed Ten Hag at Old Trafford.

READ MORE: LIVE Ten Hag sacked reaction

READ MORE: Ten Hag sacked

But earlier this month, he told the Sports Agent podcast why he wouldn't be in a rush to leave West London if interest emerged from other Premier League clubs.

"If I ever leave Brentford, in the future it will happen. Who knows what will happen in the future," said the 51-year-old Dane. "I am probably at one of the best clubs in the world, end of discussion, in terms of alignment, leadership, culture, everything. Why should I ever leave this place? But things can happen.

"You can want new inspiration, maybe you find another inspiration at your club and you stay for, you never know. For sure if I ever got the offer to go to a big club and I decided to go there, it would probably not make my life better.

"I think we all know that. Maybe it is a challenge you need to try. I don't know. It is not something I am thinking about. You don't know how it would be if you walked into another job. Maybe it will be even better than it is here. I don't know that.

"I am just looking at the exposure on certain managers. I don't think that is part of the football they love. I am happy here. What will happen in the future will happen and we will take it from there."

Frank signed a new deal with Brentford in 2022, tying him down until June 2027.