Keith Andrews' first interview as Brentford head coach

Keith Andrews has spoken for the first time after being appointed Brentford head coach.

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

Asked how he felt about being the man to lead the Bees, Andrews said: "Pretty humbled would be the overriding feeling, honoured that I’m the person that’s been chosen to take the club into the next chapter.

"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."

Andrews continued: “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.

“There are a lot of words that are preached in sporting environments, like culture, and they’re not lived, whereas they are lived here on a daily basis. I think it’s really important to keep that humility that we have as a football club and continue to grow.”

In his previous role at the club, Andrews helped the team secure one of the best set-piece records in the Premier League both offensively and defensively.

The former midfielder revealed what he will be expecting from his side for next season and beyond.

"I want a team that the fans feel represents them and what they want to see on a Saturday," he explained.

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

“We want to have huge moments, huge games, and I think the big one is that we want to have an attitude and a relentlessness of progression. We really need to maintain that, and that’s on a daily basis.

“If you do that, the rest looks after itself.”

On the subject of progression and development, Andrews added: "It’s a massive advantage to know the players inside out, I’ve got a really good connection with the players. The ceiling is massive in terms of what we can achieve and I’ve got so much belief in them.

"I love being on the grass, I love developing young players, I love seeing the growth in young players as players and as human beings. There’s clear alignment between myself and the football club on that.

"There will be a clear plan to try and develop our talented young players and also our older players, because development doesn’t just stop when you get to a certain age; it’s for every single player, and we’ll support them in every single way we can."

Finally, Andrews addressed the Brentford supporters.

“I’m humbled to be the new head coach of an amazing football club that’s touched me in a lot of ways," he said.

"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."

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