Brentford have appointed former Republic of Ireland international Keith Andrews as their new manager on a three-year deal, according to Sky Sports.
The 43-year-old replaces Thomas Frank, who recently departed to take charge at Tottenham Hotspur, in what marks a continuation of the club’s preference for internal promotions.
Frank’s own journey with the Bees began as an assistant before stepping into the managerial role in 2018.
Now, Andrews follows a similar path, having served as Brentford’s set-piece coach for just one season before being handed the reins in what will be his first full managerial role.
Andrews, capped 35 times for Ireland, transitioned into coaching after hanging up his boots in 2015 at MK Dons, where he began as an assistant manager.
He later joined Stephen Kenny’s coaching setup with Ireland’s Under-21 side and followed Kenny to the senior national team when the latter was appointed manager in 2020.
Both men remained in charge until Kenny’s contract ended three years later.
However, Andrews didn’t remain out of work for long. He joined Chris Wilder’s backroom staff at Sheffield United in December 2023, but left at the end of the campaign to return to Brentford and take over the top job.
“He is someone we have known for a while and always had in mind for a role at some point in the future,” said Phil Giles, Brentford’s Director of Football.
While Frank took several key backroom staff, including Justin Cochrane, Chris Haslam, and Joe Newton, with him to Spurs, Andrews stayed behind, a decision that now appears to have positioned him as Frank’s natural successor.
Frank, who famously led Brentford into the Premier League for the first time in 74 years and made them a steady force in the top flight, leaves behind big shoes to fill.
But much like Frank when he first took over, Andrews enters the role with limited experience but a strong sense of familiarity with the club’s philosophy.
