Brentford Appoints Keith Andrews as Manager, Taking Over from Thomas Frank and Enhancing Set-Piece Strategy

Brentford has appointed former Republic of Ireland international Keith Andrews as the new manager, succeeding Thomas Frank, the Premier League outfit announced on Friday. This move continues the West London club’s practice of promoting talent from within their ranks.

Frank previously transitioned from his role as assistant to manager in 2018 before leaving to take the helm at Tottenham Hotspur. Following his departure, Andrews has now stepped into his first management position after a year spent as the club’s set-piece coach.

Reports indicate that Andrews has inked a three-year deal.

“Keith is an excellent fit for our club,” stated director of football Phil Giles.

“He has strong relationships with everyone, is very approachable, and has a thirst for learning. He possesses a good understanding of our current squad and how we’ve performed and trained under Thomas Frank.”

“While he will instigate his own approach, we aren’t starting over, so we’re optimistic about making swift progress.”

Andrews, who earned 35 caps for Ireland, began his coaching journey as an assistant manager at MK Dons, where he wrapped up his playing career in 2015. He then joined the Ireland Under-21 setup as a deputy to Stephen Kenny.

Kenny took the reins of the senior Irish team in 2020, bringing Andrews along until Kenny’s contract concluded three years later, but Andrews was quickly back in a new role.

In December 2023, Andrews joined the coaching staff at Sheffield United under Chris Wilder, eventually leaving the club at the end of that season to take up his position at Brentford.

“He’s someone we’ve known for a long time and always envisioned in a role here at some point,” Giles remarked during the appointment announcement.

While Frank has taken assistant first-team coach Justin Cochrane, head of athletic performance Chris Haslam, and first-team analyst Joe Newton to Spurs, Andrews chose to remain at Brentford—perhaps a sign of his ambitions at the club.

Though he steps into the role after Frank, who led Brentford to their first top-flight appearance in 74 years and established them as a formidable presence in the Premier League, Andrews is aware that his predecessor also began his tenure relatively unknown.

“I am incredibly grateful to the owner, the board, and the staff for supporting this decision,” Andrews said.

“This is an opportunity I believe I’m well-equipped to handle and ready for. I’m honoured to become the head coach of a fantastic football club that has profoundly impacted me.”