Keith Andrews Reveals Ireland Task Saw Him Develop Brentford Ambition

For many, Keith Andrews being promoted to Brentford manager last summer was among the most surprising appointments in Premier League history.

The London club had just one manager since their promotion to the division, with Thomas Frank bringing them up from the Championship before helping establish them as a stable top flight club. The Dane was always likely to be poached by a bigger club, ending up at Spurs last summer.

Brentford then made the rather unorthodox decision to promote from within, with set-piece coach Andrews graduating into the top job. It would be his first managerial role, having previously acted an assisted with Ireland at senior and U21 level.

Keith Andrews Says Ireland Task Drove Brentford Ambition

Keith Andrews lacked in managerial experience, but the Brentford hierarchy clearly felt that the had the qualities necessary to succeed in the job.

As it turns out, the Dubliner himself had long eyed Brentford as a potentially good fit for him.

Speaking to The Athletic, Andrews revealed that he first studied Brentford during his spell with Ireland, something that made him want to work with the club at some point.

I had studied the team, how they play. I did a study on their throw-ins when I was working with Ireland.

I had read numerous articles about Brentford, like we all do, and was intrigued by it and the goodness I felt that came from it — the authenticity around it. It was all those factors that made me want to come if the opportunity ever arose…

There were a lot of question marks around the club in the summer. Would this be the end of this chapter? Where would go from this point?

You’re going to be in good hands as long as you’ve got really good people making common sense decisions, with a medium- to long-term approach.

Keith Andrews has certainly defied pre-season expectations at Brentford, with many tipping the club for relegation. Instead, he has them in the race for European football as they enter the final weeks of the campaign.

With a shortage of managers from this country at the top level in recent times, it is fantastic to see a coach from Ireland shine in the most competitive league in the world.

Tags: