Brentford

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Valencia assistant coach Martin Drury will join Mehmet Ali and Neil MacFarlane as Keith Andrews' assistant first-team coaches.

Drury followed Carlos Corberan - whom he previously worked with at West Bromwich Albion - to the La Liga club in January and has spent six months there.

Head coach Keith Andrews said: "We are really pleased to get Martin on board. During the interview process he showed a very high level of competency around coaching.

"He's been on a long journey as a coach and had lots of different experiences, none more so than his most recent job at Valencia.

"I'm really looking forward to integrating Martin into what I see as a really talented coaching staff."

Drury joins Ali, who has spent the last three years as Arsenal Under-21s head coach, and Brentford B head coach MacFarlane who has made the step up to the first team.

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Brentford has unveiled the club's home kit for the 2025-26 season, as the Bees celebrate 100 years in red and white.

According to Brentford, the shirt is "a modern but nostalgic take on the club's iconic stripes" and "the classic collar inspired by the club's original 1925 kit lace design, connects this season's shirt with their rich heritage".

There is a centenary logo on the back of the shirt and a "red & white 1925 & 2025" detail inside the collar.

Steve Watts, Brentford's marketing services director, added: "This season we chose to mark 100 years of both our trademark stripes and our incredible supporters remaining side by side, through the more challenging times, to the Premier League and an exciting future.

"A commitment to affordable football remains at the heart of Brentford's values. We hope frozen adult prices and reduced junior prices enable as many of our fans as possible to enjoy wearing this shirt, which marks a new era for the club."

What do you make of the new kit?

Choose your verdict here

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Brentford youngsters Benjamin Arthur and Julian Eyestone have both signed long-term deals with the club, keeping them at Gtech Community Stadium until 2031.

Both players will join Keith Andrews' first-team squad for the upcoming season after impressing in the club's academy system.

Arthur, an athletic midfielder, and Eyestone, a promising goalkeeper, are seen as key parts of Brentford's future as they continue to focus on developing young talent.

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Former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. On Instagram, Kelleher wrote:

Can't believe I'm writing this right now, and I'm finding it hard to put into words.

I'm absolutely devastated by this news.

All my thoughts and condolences are with Rute and their three beautiful kids and Diogo and Andre's family.

It was such a pleasure to get to know you over these years and to share some special memories on the pitch and even more so off it.

You became one of my closest friends in football. We bonded over all things sports, watching any football match we could find - often your brother Andre's game on your iPad.

I was surprised a lad from Portugal loved sports such as darts, snooker and horse racing so much, and some of my best memories were having a laugh watching them with you.

You were such a fun, genuine, normal down to earth and loving family man and you were always very competitive. I'm gonna miss our pre-match programme quiz.

I feel so blessed and grateful to have seen you on your happiest day, the day of your wedding, and to be able to share in that day with you was special. I'll never forget it.

You were deeply loved by everyone at the club, the city and all over the world.

It's gonna hurt for a long time and I'm gonna miss you so much but I feel so lucky to have got know you and have such a good friend

Love you Diogo.

Watch: Diogo Jota - A Tribute on iPlayer

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Brentford head coach Keith Andrews believes Antoni Milambo can be a key player for the Bees after he joined from Feyenoord.

Andrews said the 20-year-old midfielder, who has signed a five-year contract with an option for a further year, will "complement the midfielders we have in the building".

"Antoni has played a lot of football in the last 12 months and really shot to prominence," Andrews said.

"He's had experience in the Eredivisie, Champions League and most recently the Under-21 Euros with the Netherlands."

The Dutchman made 60 appearances for Feyenoord, who finished third in the Eredivisie last season and made it to the knockout stages of the Champions League, before being knocked out by eventual finalists Inter Milan.

"I love the way that Antoni takes the ball and drives - he has the ability to go past players and he's a goal threat," said Andrews. "He will complement the midfielders we have in the building.

"Now it's just a case of getting him used to the intensity and rhythm of the Premier League and our own intensity levels. I am looking forward to working with him."

Brentford's technical director, Lee Dykes added that the club had been following Milambo "for a few years" and that he is a "skilful, forward-thinking player capable of scoring all types of goals".

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We asked for your views on what Keith Andrews must prioritise in his first few moments as Brentford boss.

Here are some of your comments:

Max: Keith Andrews needs to establish a clear structure and make up for the potential losses of Christian Norgaard and Bryan Mbeumo. Keeping hold of Yoane Wissa would be huge for the club.

Charlie: Most of the transfers in and out of the club will be over within the next week or two. Andrews' biggest task is deciding which coaches should come into the club. Only a thought, but if we could get Ben Mee back as a coach, I think it would be a big help to settle things down.

Magnus: The possibility of signing Daizen Maeda from Celtic is exciting, but we need a centre-back as well, now that Mee is gone. I am not very confident with Andrews, but I hope he is looking at options - possibly Jakub Kiwior from Arsenal as a big money signing?

Maureen: I have every faith that Brentford have picked a good man, and I would like more concentration on the defence.

Nick: Let Mbeumo go and use the money to buy Harvey Elliott. He wants to play minutes, and he'd be the first name on our sheet. Plus, we have Caiomhin Kelleher, Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho at the Gtech Community Stadium already.

Pete: First of all, getting some flexibility back into the tactics, three at the back works well when Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry are fit to play against the top sides. We'll need some goals from midfield to replace Bryan, but most of all will be the combination Andrews finds to replace Norgaard. We have struggled badly without him in recent seasons.

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

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