The Daily Star Ireland
Brentford Football Club has confirmed the appointment of Keith Andrews as its new head coach on a three-year contract. The announcement comes after the departure of previous manager Thomas Frank and his assistant Justin Cochrane, who recently joined Tottenham Hotspur. Andrews, who had been serving as Brentford’s set-piece coach since the beginning of the previous campaign, steps into the role with substantial backing from the club’s leadership.
Phil Giles, Brentford’s director of football, outlined the rationale behind the appointment, emphasizing Andrews’ familiarity with the club’s structure and philosophy. His time working under Frank allowed him to understand the existing system, while also forming relationships with both players and staff. The club leadership noted Andrews’ clarity in communication, methodical coaching approach, and potential to build on existing foundations rather than initiating a complete overhaul.
Giles highlighted that the club was not only seeking a coach to preserve past progress but also one who could bring tangible development. Brentford’s approach signals a desire for continuity while embracing subtle evolution, with expectations that Andrews can generate early momentum given his insider perspective and tactical insights.
Career Background and Coaching Pathway
Andrews, a former midfielder who earned 35 international caps for the Republic of Ireland between 2008 and 2012, has been building a coaching profile since retiring from professional football. His early coaching tenure included time at MK Dons before stepping into a national role as assistant to Stephen Kenny with the Republic of Ireland senior team from 2020 to 2023.
After parting ways with the national setup, Andrews spent a brief period with Chris Wilder’s backroom team at Sheffield United. In 2023, he joined Brentford, initially working on set-piece strategy, a role that allowed him to integrate into the club’s technical operations and develop familiarity with the squad’s dynamics.
This latest appointment marks a significant progression in Andrews’ coaching career. He becomes the ninth Irish manager currently working within the English football league system and the sole representative in the Premier League, following Ipswich Town’s relegation and Kieran McKenna’s exit from the top tier.
Current Landscape of Irish Managers in England
With Andrews’ promotion, the presence of Irish coaches across English football’s professional divisions remains active. Among the others holding managerial roles are Conor Hourihane at Barnsley, Brian Barry-Murphy at Cardiff City, Alan Sheehan at Swansea City, and Noel Hunt at Reading. Grant McCann, Martin Paterson, and Dean Brennan round out the list with positions at Doncaster Rovers, Notts County, and Barnet, respectively.
While there was recent speculation linking Damien Duff with a possible role as Andrews’ assistant following his departure from Shelbourne, both sides have since dismissed these rumors. No official statements suggest any imminent additions to Brentford’s coaching team related to Duff.
