As a Brentford fan, it’s hard not to draw comparisons between our new head coach Keith Andrews and the man he succeeds — Thomas Frank. In his first press conference yesterday, Andrews struck a tone that felt instantly familiar: calm, intelligent, and above all, humble. It was the kind of introduction that reassures you we’ve made a decent choice — not just in footballing terms, but in character.
That said, this is football — and until a ball is kicked and there are points and wins on the board, some fans will remain cautious. Right now, it’s words. Soon, it’ll need to be results. But if Andrews’ first showing is anything to go by, he’s more than ready for that challenge.
When asked if he could have imagined himself in this position a couple of years ago, Andrews’ answer was telling. “Probably not,” he admitted. But that wasn’t said with self-doubt — it was said with a grounded awareness of the journey he’s been on. He explained that his move into head coaching had been “deliberate,” referencing his five years with the Republic of Ireland’s senior and U21 squads. There’s a clear sense that this is a man who’s prepared, who’s waited for the right moment, and who understands that leadership is earned, not gifted.
When asked about his philosophy, he kept it simple and real: “I’ll be me.” It’s that authenticity that made Frank loved, and it’s already visible in Andrews. He didn’t come with a buzzword-laden “project.” Instead, he talked about working with individual strengths, building relationships, and progressing what’s already in place. He spoke of “loving” how this Brentford team plays — a subtle but important statement that he respects the culture rather than wanting to overhaul it.
Phil Giles, who we are not used to seeing much in the public gaze, revealed the club had looked internally first before assessing external candidates — a very Brentford approach. Andrews apparently made a strong impression from the start. He already knows the squad, the structure, the style — and perhaps most importantly, the staff. Continuity matters, especially for a club like ours, and this appointment respects that. None of us are taking anything for granted and there’s a steep learning curve undoubtedly ahead… but what’s the point in looking at the negatives right now.
The ‘told you so’ band may still have their finger-wagging righteous moment but, in my opinion at least, that sucks as a starting position now the decision has been made to hand the role to Andrews. It smacks of sabotage whilst kissing the badge.
He’s not rushing things either. When asked about filling the four vacant coaching roles, Andrews and Giles both said the plan was to move thoughtfully. A set-piece coach is a priority — that’s a nod to the fine margins we’ve built success on — but beyond that, it’ll be step-by-step. Again, it’s reassuring to hear a measured tone rather than wholesale change for the sake of change. There is, on the face of it, zero panic at Jersey Road.
What stood out most was how he spoke about Thomas Frank… Manners. “He has my admiration and respect,” Andrews said, noting the close bond they formed in their year together. There’s no sense of trying to step out of Frank’s shadow — instead, Andrews seems to embrace the legacy while also being confident in his own direction.
There’s a quiet strength to Andrews that Brentford fans will already be relating to. He’s not flashy. He’s not selling a dream. He’s just honest, smart, and clearly deeply committed to what this club stands for. Again, I admit that no balls have been kicked as yet, but if his press conference was anything to go by, we’ve found someone who can carry the Brentford identity forward — not by copying what came before, but by building on it with a continuation of Frank’s humility.
The pre-season friendlies will certainly be more fascinating than usual this summer… they will provide our first glimpse of life under Andrews and the quicker we can move the focus to on the field matters the better.
Dave Lane
And his hair is as lush as Thomas Frank’s…….