Exclusive: Brentford boss Thomas Frank says Christian Eriksen was 'biggest signing' in Premier League club's history
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ByEurosport
Published 16/02/2024 at 18:33 GMT
In an exclusive sitdown interview with Brentford boss Thomas Frank on 'Moments That Made Me', the Dane reflects on how the west London club were able to sign former Ajax, Tottenham and Inter Milan midfielder Christian Eriksen. Frank believes Eriksen was the "biggest signing" in Brentford's history and has been delighted with how he developed since he coached him in the Denmark U17 national team.
Brentford's Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen (R) is congratulated by Brentford's Danish head coach Thomas Frank at the end of the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Brentford at Stamford Bridge
Image credit: Getty Images
Brentford boss Thomas Frank says that Christian Eriksen was the "biggest signing" in the club's history.
Eriksen suffered an on-pitch cardiac arrest playing for Denmark during Euro 2020 in the summer of 2021 and was fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) device.
He was forced to leave his club, Inter Milan, In October due to Serie A's rules around him having an ICD fitted.
Once he recovered, Eriksen began his comeback to professional football and signed for Brentford on January 31, 2022. His first appearance for Brentford came as a substitute against Newcastle United on February 26.
Speaking on an episode of 'Moments That Made Me' ahead of Brentford v Liverpool on Saturday, which you can watch live on TNT Sports and discovery+, Frank speaks of his personal relationship with his compatriot which began many years ago.
"Probably the biggest signing in the modern Brentford history," Frank said of Eriksen.
"I've got a personal connection with him, I coached him when he was 15 or 16 in the Denmark U17 national team for a year.
"A good story as well is that my son called me in October and said 'Dad, you should call him' and I said 'yeah, maybe you're right'.
"At that stage, he hadn't announced what he wanted to do, and then he announced it I think in early December that he wanted to play football again. And then my son called me again and said 'Dad, it's now'. Okay.
"When you see a player who I coached when he was 16, follow, talk with him, see him with the national team and then he walked in the door 14 years later, 30 years old.
"Experienced, confident, humble, a leader in his way. That was a very good experience."
Eriksen spent six months at Brentford before moving to Manchester United.
This season, the 32-year-old has started just nine Premier League games for United and has fallen down their midfield pecking order following the emergence of 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo from the academy.
Frank told Danish publication Tipsbladet earlier this month that Eriksen would "always be welcome back" at Brentford if he wanted to move clubs.
The 50-year-old said: "He will always be welcome back, Christian - always. I think he knows that. And we know that he had a good time here.
"I understood well why he went to United back then, and I've said that publicly.
"I also think he's done well. Of course, he had an injury before Christmas for a while. But if Christian wants, he's very welcome."
Brentford, who are currently 14th in the Premier League table, host Liverpool - live on TNT Sports - this Saturday afternoon.
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