When Morten Olsen was Denmark boss searching for young coaches with the energy and innovation to revolutionise his country's development strategy, he liked what he saw in Thomas Frank.
'He has a good nose,' as Olsen puts it. 'Very important in coaching. Always discussing things. Asking, "what do you think" and "what ideas do you have". He was very interesting and did a marvellous job.'
When Brondby flirted with relegation and financial ruin they turned to Frank to restore pride by creating a team around emerging talent.
'Always smiling with a positive mindset,' says Per Rud, then sporting director of the Danish club.