Brentford

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport

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Brentford are closing in on a fourth signing of the summer according to multiple reports, with 20-year-old Antoni Milambo expected to join from Feyenoord in a £17m deal plus add-ons.

The Netherlands Under-21 international played in a variety of positions last season, though predominantly on the right of a midfield three before settling in the middle of that trio from the beginning of April, soon after Robin van Persie became head coach.

Milambo became the youngest player in Feyenoord's history as a 16-year-old in 2021 but it is only in the most recent season that he became a first-team regular. He started nine of Feyenoord's 10 Champions League fixtures, scoring in away wins over Girona and Benfica, and his heat map for 2024-25 shows plenty of involvement in attacking midfield areas.

Regarded as a good ball-carrier, Milambo finished the season with seven goals and seven assists in 42 games. That ranked him joint-first for goal involvements among under-21 players at Dutch top-flight clubs.

Keith Andrews will lead Brentford into the new season and he says he not "fazed" by the role given the journey he's been on to get there.

So what should be the first job or two on his slate? A certain signing? Improving a certain player? Selling someone?

Tell us what the key early tasks are for Andrews here

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Brentford director of football Phil Giles has confirmed captain Christian Norgaard is close to joining Arsenal.

BBC Sport revealed last week that the two Premier League clubs had agreed a fee, believed to be up to £15m inclusive of add-ons, for the Denmark midfielder.

And Giles admits he expects Norgaard to complete his move to the Emirates Stadium.

"We have been in conversations with Arsenal for the last week to 10 days – as it stands it hasn't been completed yet but it is heading in that direction," Giles told BBC Sport.

"If that happens for him then fantastic, he's earned it. He's been a brilliant captain for us. Let's see how that story ends but we are pretty open about that interest there."

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Brentford director of football Phil Giles says the club will only sell Bryan Mbeumo if the "deal is right" and hasn't ruled out the forward staying.

Cameroon international Mbeumo is the subject of serious interest from Manchester United, who have had two offers rejected for the forward - the second of which was worth up to £62.5m.

Mbeumo wants to join United and is understood to have expressed that point of view to the London club.

And speaking to BBC Sport, Giles said: "There's not so much (progress with Mbeumo).

"He had a fantastic season, we expected big interest in him, we have had big interest in him.

"He has his ideas about where he wants to take his career, of course he does – he is well within his rights to do that.

"We are in constant dialogue with him and representatives about that. As it stands at the minute we don't have an agreement in place for him to leave.

"It is not impossible he is still a Brentford player next season if we agree he is going to stay.

"It has to be the right deal for Brentford, any club will tell you that. If it's not right deal why would we do it?

"He is certainly one of our best players, if not our best player, and we need our best players. There's no harm in keeping your best players."

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We asked for your views on the appointment of Keith Andrews as Brentford's new head coach.

Here are some of your comments:

Alan: A supporter since 1960 and sceptical for much of that time, but I have total faith in the current management structure and ability - so I back this totally. If it doesn't work out they'll have a plan to change.

Ian: Let's all get behind Andrews' new management team. It will be interesting if there are any other internal promotions from the coaching staff. As always, keep the faith and roll on season 2025-26.

Colin: We must give Andrews a chance to show what he can do as the number one. We talk about the great job Thomas Frank did but, honestly, how many people knew anything about him when he joined Brentford and then became head coach? The management at Brentford know what the club needs and requires, and if Andrews fits the bill, who are we to say no?

Gary: Gutted. Total lack of ambition from the club.

J: Change is a risk, and so is not changing. I can't think of any owner or directors of a football club better placed to exploit risk than Brentford's. I am very excited about this season coming. I will miss Frank, Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard, but there is some incredible talent in our squad, which is designed for the next three to five years. Just watch!

Stephen: Do you honestly think Matthew Benham and Phil Giles would take a punt on Premier League survival by appointing Andrews? The answer is crystal clear. It is now about Keith's relationship with the players and how he can keep the motivation and momentum high after Frank's successful seven-year reign. The have all worked with Andrews for a year. He has seen what works and doesn't work. It is too early to judge.

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Matthew Upson, who played with new Brentford boss Keith Andrews at Brighton in 2013-14 - and under him when the Irishman began his coaching career at MK Dons in 2015 - says he understands why the Bees have promoted him to head coach.

Upson told BBC Sport: "An appointment like this is a rarity and a risk - but it's exciting. It's got everyone talking about it.

"It's a real acceleration of Keith's career, but I know him well and I can understand why he has got this opportunity.

"Following on from Thomas Frank, there is probably going to be a point where the team is going to have a wobble, a dip or a drop-off in results.

"What happens then is going to be interesting, and it comes down to what the expectations are for Keith, really.

"Even Frank has had wobbles in the past, when the team went through really bad spells. It also looks like Bryan Mbeumo is going to go, which is a blow.

"It is a really interesting appointment but, having played with Keith and seen him as a coach - very much in his early days - I can see why he has got this chance.

"As well having good opinions, he is an impressive communicator in how he gets his ideas across. That is a very strong skill that he has, which will help him as a manager.

"If you can get the players on board with you, that is half the battle."

Read more about Andrews' rise to Brentford job

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

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Brentford are renowned for their innovative, data-led approach under owner Matthew Benham, often defying conventional wisdom in search of an edge when it comes to recruitment and strategy, and they have certainly bucked the trend by naming the inexperienced Keith Andrews as their boss.

He was previously the Bees' set-piece coach and has also worked as an assistant at MK Dons, Sheffield United and the Republic of Ireland but this is his first managerial role.

It is increasingly rare for Premier League clubs to opt for a permanent manager who has not taken charge of a competitive senior game.

The last man appointed in such circumstances was Mikel Arteta in 2019, though the Spaniard was by that point already a sought-after coach following three years working under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Other examples have also tended to involve high-profile individuals.

Middlesbrough hired Manchester United assistant manager Steve McClaren in 2001 and Gareth Southgate in 2006, while Gianfranco Zola's managerial career began with West Ham in 2008 - and the likes of Attilio Lombardo (Crystal Palace), Ruud Gullit and Gianluca Vialli (both Chelsea) started as player-managers in the 1990s.

A less well-known name is Les Reed, who won one of seven games with Charlton in 2006. Sammy Lee's reign at Bolton in 2007 was similarly brief.

The list below excludes managers who initially proved their worth as a caretaker, which is now an increasingly common path for rookie bosses and minimises the risks for clubs.

Most recently, Gary O'Neil took the reins at Bournemouth in August 2022 despite no prior experience, getting the job on a permanent basis three months later.

Although dismissed at the end of the season, he led the side to 15th, earning another shot at management with Wolves.

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New Brentford boss Keith Andrews says he feels "humbled" but "very capable" after being formally announced as head coach.

The 44-year-old, who originally joined the club as a set-piece coach in July 2024, was confirmed as Thomas Frank's replacement on Friday.

It is the first time Andrews has held a managerial role having previously been on the coaching staff with Sheffield United, MK Dons and the Republic of Ireland.

"Pretty humbled would be the overriding feeling and honoured that I'm the person that's been chosen to take the club into the next chapter," he told club media, external.

"I'm very appreciative of the owner, the board and the staff that have supported this decision. It's an opportunity I feel I'm very capable of doing and ready to do.

"I don't know where to start in terms of what's exciting me because there's so much - the potential of the football club, the potential of the players and the potential of the staff that underpin what has brought success to this brilliant football club."

"It's an amazing place to be and I've felt that for 12 months now. That will remain. It's really important to me to have that vibe around the football club, that energy.

While some may see it as a risk, Andrews' appointment represents continuity for the club who also hired from within when promoting Frank from assistant to head coach.

In his set-piece role, the former midfielder helped the Bees at both ends of the pitch, with their three goals conceded from set-pieces in 2024, the fewest in the top flight.

"I want a team that the fans feel represents them and what they want to see on a Saturday," Andrews added on what supporters can expect from his side.

"We want to play winning football, we want to be competitive, we want to have an edge and we want to play dynamic, relentless football, but we want to be organised.

"I love it here, I love coming in every single day, and I will give absolutely everything to continue the success of this football club."

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

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

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

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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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