Brentford

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

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Keith Andrews becoming our new head coach is a typical Brentford appointment.

Continuity has been key at the club in recent years with Mark Warburton, in 2013, and Thomas Frank, in 2018, also promoted from within.

When talk started of Frank moving to Tottenham, I expected assistant Justin Cochrane to be the person who replaced him - until he also moved to north London.

I have no idea of Andrews' general coaching or managerial abilities, but nobody can deny he had a successful first season as set-piece coach in 2024-25.

We conceded the fewest number of goals from set-pieces in the Premier League and scored the joint fifth highest number of goals from them.

And then, of course, there was the September run, when we became the first club to score in the opening minute of three consecutive Premier League matches.

Frank explained it was Andrews' idea to start fast from the kick-off and he had a different plan for each of the opponents.

Andrews' appointment has caused some disquiet on social media from fans who wanted a bigger or more experienced name.

While he has held assistant manager roles in the past, he has never had the top job. Obviously given that inexperience - and the probable loss of key men in Bryan Mbeumo and captain Christian Norgaard - there is a risk involved in making him head coach.

But owner Matthew Benham and director of football Phil Giles have only made one bad managerial appointment in 10 years and they rectified that rapidly.

Longer-term Brentford fans say everyone should 'trust the process' - and I do - but a good start is vital to ease any pressure from some fans and to give the squad a morale boost after a turbulent summer.

What do you think about this appointment? Do you trust the process at Brentford or was there a different name you had in mind?

Get in touch with your thoughts here

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Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

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Keith Andrews only joined Brentford last summer, when he was appointed set-piece coach, but the Irishman has succeeded Thomas Frank as their head coach.

The 44-year-old has no previous managerial experience, though he has served as part of the coaching staff at MK Dons and Sheffield United, plus the Republic of Ireland Under-21 and senior sides.

But his work at Brentford has clearly impressed the club hierarchy, including a notable improvement in their record at defending set-pieces. The Bees conceded just three top-flight goals from set-plays in 2024-25 (excluding penalties), at least three fewer than any other club.

That was a substantial reduction from their previous three Premier League seasons. The west London club conceded nine such goals in 2023-24 and 12 in both 2021-22 and 2022-23.

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Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

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Keith Andrews will become the first permanent Premier League manager from the Republic of Ireland since Chris Hughton left Brighton in 2019, and only the seventh in the competition's history.

Hughton, Mick McCarthy, Owen Coyle and David O'Leary, who were all born in the UK, are classified by Opta as being from the Republic of Ireland since they won caps for the country as players.

Excluding caretakers, and managers from Northern Ireland, Andrews will be just the third Irish-born boss to lead a Premier League club, alongside Joe Kinnear and Roy Keane.

Andrews and Keane have a bit of history, with the Manchester United legend making a disparaging remark about the Dubliner when he was named the Republic's assistant manager in 2020.

Keane spent a year and a half as a Premier League manager, winning 15 of 53 games with Sunderland, so Andrews could prove a bit of a point if he lasts longer with the Bees.

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On Thursday, we published your thoughts on a difficult summer of change at Brentford given the departure of Thomas Frank for Tottenham and key players linked with moves away from west London.

Today, we hear from you on how the Bees can still move forward this season.

Here are some of your comments:

Kim: A bit dumbstruck after such a positive season, however the club are shrewd and not governed by sentiment. I believe the best will be done and having followed Brentford for over 40 years I won't be going anywhere. New challenges? We'll meet them head on and it will be a tough season but I've always been entertained by the Bees and love the spirit of this club.

Paul: As it stands, we have a new £30 million striker starting this season, two established full-backs to return after a season out and two exciting young signings. This is without the likely additions. Brentford have a process. It works - we will be fine.

Geoff: We have an exceptional group of youngsters at the club who can step up. So player sales do not worry me too much. We will also have money to spend on reinforcements.

Tim: The owner knows a thing or two. He will have planned for these exits and will not let the club down.

Len: Very disappointed that Frank left the club and now players are deserting the club. It's going to be a long hard season unless Brentford sign a qualified coach not Frank's assistant and they need to replace outgoing players. The Brentford project could go backwards unless issues are sorted out sooner rather than later. Bryan Mbeumo for £60 million? We'll spend that on quality players. Don't bank it and sit on it.

Brentford have broadly agreed a deal to sign Feyenoord's 20-year-old attacking midfielder Antoni Milambo, who is a Netherlands Under-21 international. (Mirror), external

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We asked if you are worried for next season after losing manager Thomas Frank to Tottenham and seemingly captain Christian Norgaard to Arsenal, all amid the uncertainty over Bryan Mbeumo's move to Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Ben: Absolutely, petrified. I would feel better if there was some good news for the fans to counteract the losses. But the lack of rumours even linking us to ready-to-go replacements is concerning. We can't only rely on giving first chances and prosperity to fill such big gaps.

Jason: I was one of the people shaking buckets to save Brentford way before most people's time. I trust the club but I'm increasingly nervous. Announce a new manager and let's start the rebuild.

Anne: It is inevitable I suppose. We've almost been a victim of our own success in the Premier League. I'm very sad to lose these players and manager and staff, but change in all walks of life is inevitable. The coming season is certainly going to be a challenge. Can't say I'm looking forward to it, but I'll still be there supporting the team I've supported for more than 55 years.

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Wellsers: It's going be a tough season for the Bees after being stripped of key players and of course their manager. Never a club to 'splash the cash,' but they'll need to spend big to have a chance of staying in the Premier League. A thin squad has now got even thinner - with extra bodies in defence, midfield and up front urgently needed. A couple of injuries early on next season could very well see the Bees in a relegation battle by Christmas.

Connor: Not sure what the plan is, but so far as a window it's pretty devastating. If we end up losing Nathan Collins or Yoana Wissa it feels like we're hitting self destruct. If we invest heavily to replace Norgaard, and line up a decent replacement on the wing then we'll be okay. Next year is all about survival. Big season for Kevin Schade to be the main man in the wings.

Keni: I'm nervous but I am willing to trust the club's leadership. The radio silence makes it harder, but I can remember playing in the Fourth Division less than twenty years ago. Under Benham and Giles we've grown a huge amount so I am going to keep the faith while keeping my fingers crossed.

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Brentford's summer activity has probably come as a rude awakening to fans.

Following a successful Premier League season, in which the Bees finished 10th, the vultures have circled.

Thomas Frank has departed for Tottenham, Arsenal have agreed a fee for Christian Norgaard and Manchester United are continuing their keen pursuit for Bryan Mbeumo.

That could mean Brentford lose their manager, captain and star player in a matter of weeks, who have a combined tally of 755 games between them.

Does that make you worried for next season? Or was it expected and you trust the club's model to build again?

Let us know your thoughts

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We asked for your views on how costly losing key midfielder Christian Norgaard would be and how Brentford will cope with so much change in personnel - with forward Bryan Mbeumo potentially on his way to Manchester United, plus a new head coach being appointed.

Here are some of your comments:

Mike: I'd rather lose Mbeumo than Norgaard. When Christian doesn't play, we don't win - the stats have shown it over and over again. Losing Thomas Frank was always going to make next season tough, but losing him and Norgaard would make me VERY concerned.

Ray: It is one thing to lose your manager, another to lose most of the training staff and undoubtedly your most prolific goalscorer - but now the captain too? We've got to be careful we don't sabotage all the years of building. Also, £10m is an insult, but Arsenal insulted us with the David Raya deal.

James: That's cheap! The captain is the manager on the pitch, and with the manager gone we need continuity. Norgaard is vital to Brentford - more so now when the club is in a state of flux.

Ian: I do think losing Mbeumo - and it looks like Norgaard and Collins too - and only replacing Frank with Keith Andrews will sadly bring an end, for now, to the Bees' stay in the Premier League.

Sanjay: We cannot lose him. He has been such an invaluable member of the team and is tough and strong on the pitch. The fans will say to Christian: "Please stay!"

Steve: Losing Norgaard would be far worse than losing Bryan. He does the hard yards and dirty work that lets others play around him. His experience in the changing room would be just as big a miss as his presence on the pitch. The new manager can't be happy about potentially losing a senior member of the team.

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Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

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Our Brentford fan writer Ian Westbrook analysed the importance of Christian Norgaard when the captain signed a new deal in April...

Norgaard has played a vital role in his almost six years at the club, making nearly 200 appearances in all competitions and being named captain in the summer of 2023.

His importance to the side can be shown by the fact that we failed to win any of the four Premier League games he missed last season, and only won two of the seven in which he was absent in the last campaign.

He is the glue that holds the side together in his defensive midfield role, protecting the defence, winning tackles and setting up attacks.

This season, he also become a more regular goalscorer - with the six he scored the best return of his career and a third of his entire total of 18 for the club.

We are a much weaker team without him.

Read Ian's piece in full here

With Arsenal are interested in Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard, we want your views on the situation.

Sources have indicated the Gunners are exploring a deal worth an initial £10m, with a possible £5m in performance related add-ons.

Norgaard, whose deal with Brentford expires in 2027, joined the Bees in 2019 and has become a key player for the club.

With the exit of head coach Thomas Frank - who looks set to be succeeded by Keith Andrew - and interest in other key players, including Bryan Mbeumo, a move away for Norgaard could be another blow in a summer of managerial and possible squad upheaval.

What do you think? How costly would losing Norgaard be? And can Brentford cope with this much change in personnel?

Let us know here

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With Manchester United having submitted an improved offer for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, we asked both sets of fans on our club pages how much they thought he was worth.

Here are some of your comments:

Brentford fans

George: Nothing less than £80m. The reason why is simple - the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United have shovelled out far, far more for players who are far, far worse. While he is at his most effective alongside strike-partner Yoane Wissa, only Mohamed Salah is more deadly when cutting onto his left foot at the edge of the box.

Brian: £60m might be the lowest option, but I think £40m-50m would be closer to his price. He's had a good season but I think he's never going to do it again. He's a good player but not a great one - take the money and run.

Vince: More than £60m compared with other market deals. He's a talented forward who runs and works so hard for the team. He has a brilliant temperament and doesn't see red mist and get sent off like Matheus Cunha. He has one year left with a further one-year option on his contract.

HerzyBee: Mbeumo's overall contribution puts him in the top five for most relevant stats for a striker - he works incredibly hard and defends well, and scored 20 goals - five more than £62.5m Cunha. Pay up, United.

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Man Utd fans

Barry: Leave it at £60m and if they say no then walk away. We have fallen into this trap lots of times and we pay far too much just for flops.

Tony: He's a slightly-better-than-average player worth about the £50m mark. Then, as with every other player United are interested in, the selling clubs apply an erroneous 'United tax', increasing a player's value by about 20%. The £50m player suddenly becomes a £60m player.

Jacob: For a man who has scored 20 goals in the best league in the world, £60m would be a steal. Anything there or thereabouts would be a good deal on United's part.

Chris: Proven in the Premier League makes him worth £60m, but having just one big-return season so far makes any more a risk. Also, he is out for critical period at Africa Cup of Nations - potentially a month.

Matthew: I feel £60m is more than enough for Mbeumo. He's brilliant for Brentford, but part of me feels he got a little lucky last season and scored more goals than he should have (20 goals from 12.3 xG). It may be another case of a player underperforming at United compared with their old club.

What did the top three results of our polls say?

Bees fans: £60m-70m - 42%; £70m-80m - 23%; £60m - 18%

United fans: £60m - 54%; £60m-70m - 27%; Wouldn't buy him - 16%

Brentford, Everton, West Ham and Fulham are considering a move for Ipswich's 21-year-old England Under-21s winger Omari Hutchinson. (Mail), external

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The future of Brentford's talismanic forward Bryan Mbeumo is still up in the air.

After scoring a career-best 20 goals for the Bees in 2024-25, the 25-year-old has understandably attracted interest.

The latest on his situation sees fellow Premier League side Manchester United submitting an improved bid of more than £60m.

United already had a bid rejected for the striker earlier this month of £45m plus up to £10m in add-ons.

It is also understood new Tottenham manager Thomas Frank was keen to be reunited with Mbeumo, while there has also been interest in the Cameroon international from other Champions League clubs.

While most Brentford supporters will be hoping to keep hold of Mbeumo, if the Bees are to sell, how much is he worth?

What fee should the club accept to let him go?

Make your choice here

And let us know why

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Nottingham Forest's match against Brentford on the opening weekend on the Premier League has been moved to Sunday 17 August at 14:00 BST, both clubs have confirmed.

The match at the City Ground was originally meant to take place on the Saturday at 15:00 BST, but due to The Hundred taking place at Trent Bridge on the same afternoon, the match has been ammended.

The match will be televised on Sky Sports.

Tottenham have lost ground in the race to sign Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo following Manchester United's improved bid, and will now target Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze. (Talksport), external

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Keith Andrews was a combative, box-to-box midfielder, who spent 16 years playing in English football for 12 clubs including Wolves, MK Dons, Blackburn Rovers and Brighton.

Some 85 of his 412 professional appearances came in the Premier League and he earned 35 caps for the Republic of Ireland, including playing at Euro 2012.

Andrews ended his career in 2015 at MK Dons and moved straight into the role of first-team coach at the club, assisting Karl Robinson.

He became Stephen Kenny's assistant with the Republic of Ireland Under-21s in 2019 and then the senior side from 2020 until Kenny's departure in 2023.

Andrews then spent the 2023-24 season as Chris Wilder's assistant at Sheffield United as the Blades were relegated from the Premier League.

In July 2024, he was appointed Brentford's set‑piece coach - succeeding Bernardo Cueva who moved to Chelsea..

Should he succeed Thomas Frank, this would be the Irishman's first managerial role.

How do you feel about Keith Andrews being frontrunner for the Brentford job?

Make your selection here

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It has been one week since Thomas Frank left Brentford, so we wanted to know who you would like to see fill his boots at Gtech Community Stadium.

Ange Postecoglou, Kieran McKenna, Francesco Farioli and Keith Andrews are the main names doing the rounds, but is there anyone else currently going under the radar?

Here are some of your thoughts:

Connor: Farioli or Postecoglou would be the best options, in my opinion. Both have been at big clubs and both have challenged for titles. If we ever want to challenge for something more than mid-table, we need someone with a bit of oomph about them. If it's Keith Andrews, Scott Parker or Kieran McKenna, I will riot.

Chris: Personally I would love to see Lee Carsley at the helm. He has been our manager previously (albeit on an interim basis), has a great track record of developing young players and might be tempted once the current European Under-21 Championships have concluded.

Fred: Kjetil Knutsen or Farioli for me. I'm not convinced with Andrews and I just think it's really uninspiring.

Rod: I think we should promote from within. Neil MacFarlane assisted by Sam Saunders, Kevin O'Connor and Keith Andrews.

Charlie: Damien Duff hasn't been mentioned yet. He's done very well as a coach, including a very successful time at Celtic, and he's now doing well as a manager. He won everything as a player and I think he would be a very good choice if we don't promote from within.

Andy: Would be a great symbol of intent if we could lure Edin Terzic to West London. A good track record of developing young players and upsetting more established teams.

Jimmy: Someone call Cesc Fabregas, PLEASE! The fit is perfect and he can bring Nico Paz with him.

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