Brentford Set to Hire Set-Piece Specialist Keith Andrews as New Manager, Succeeding Thomas Frank

Brentford have appointed former Ireland international Keith Andrews as their new manager, signing him to a three-year deal to succeed Thomas Frank, as reported by Sky Sports on Friday. This choice continues the club’s practice of promoting from within.

Frank departed to take the helm at Tottenham Hotspur after rising from his former role as assistant manager at Brentford, where he took charge in 2018. Andrews now steps into his first managerial position, having spent the past season as the club’s set-piece coach.

With 35 caps for Ireland, Andrews initiated his coaching journey as assistant manager at MK Dons, where he completed his playing career in 2015. He later joined the Ireland Under-21 setup as an assistant coach under Stephen Kenny.

When Kenny ascended to manage the senior Irish team in 2020, he brought Andrews along, and they remained together until the culmination of Kenny’s contract three years later. However, Andrews quickly found himself in a new role within weeks.

He became part of Sheffield United’s coaching staff when Chris Wilder took charge in December 2023, departing at the season’s end to start his new chapter at Brentford.

“He is someone we have known for a while and always had in mind for a role at some point in the future,” stated Brentford Director of Football Phil Giles regarding the appointment.

While Frank took his assistant first-team coach Justin Cochrane, head of athletic performance Chris Haslam, and first-team analyst Joe Newton with him to Spurs, Andrews chose to stay at Brentford, which may hint at his intended future with the club.

Frank, who led Brentford to the top flight for the first time in 74 years and made them a competitive presence in the Premier League, will be a tough act to follow for the less experienced Andrews, although it’s worth noting that his predecessor also entered the role with limited recognition.