Thomas Frank makes honest Lionel Messi admission as Tottenham boss feelings on Rodri clear

Thomas Frank has revealed Lionel Messi is the best player he's watched live while the Tottenham boss has also tipped Rodri to become a top coach or manager in the future.

The Dane is currently enjoying some rest bite from the relentless football calendar due to the current international break, although members of the Spurssquad will return to Hotspur Way in the coming days and preparations for Aston Villa on Sunday will start to ramp up.

Frankhas had time to reflect during the short break and interestingly made his feelings known on Inter Miami star Messi. In an interview with , Frank said when asked who the best player is he's seen live: "Messi. Been privileged to watch him I think eight or 10 times.

• Sweden boss explains why Tottenham star Lucas Bergvall was subbed off at half-time
• Thomas Frank dealt fresh injury blow as Tottenham defender limps off on international duty

"Exceptional, I must admit. I actually watched him against I think it was Tottenham, wasn't it? But anyway, he was very, very good, so top player."

Frank was also very honest when asked for the best player he has coached. "That's a very tricky question. I'll mention a few," he said. "Former Spurs player Christian Eriksen I think was a fantastic player. Coached him when he was in my under-17 national team.

"I would say also both Ivan Toney, David Raya, Ollie Watkins are among them, and another one, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the national team, and Andreas Christensen."

Manchester City midfielder Rodri was also tipped to become a future manager by Frank, with the former Brentford man describing the 29-year-old as "intelligent". "It needs to be a midfielder, I think, because normally it's those who most normally become managers," Frank said. "I will name Rodri from [Man] City. Clever midfielder, so maybe he'll be a coach or manager one day.

"I think he's intelligent on the pitch. I think he's also quite intelligent in the press, so yeah, if he wants to go into that circus. I understand some players that don't want to go into it. You know, I'm a little bit from a different background. He's been in it for maybe, that's when he will stop or retire, maybe 18 years, so it's even more when you're a manager or a head coach, and probably not as fun as playing."