Keith Andrews, the new Brentford boss, is pleased to be proving doubters wrong after a summer of significant changes at the club. Andrews believes the team's recent performance, specifically the 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Bournemouth, will help dispel the negative "narrative" surrounding Brentford.
The club was tipped by many for Premier League relegation after the departures of key figures like Thomas Frank, Bryan Mbeumo, and captain Christian Norgaard. However, Andrews, who took over as head coach in late June 2025, has guided the Bees to two wins in his first three games.
Andrews emphasized the importance of utilizing the squad early in the season to build fitness and ensure everyone is up to speed. He acknowledged the tough decisions he faced when selecting the team for the Villa game, noting the frustration of those left out and highlighting the squad's overall togetherness.
He expressed particular satisfaction with the performances of players returning from long-term injuries, such as Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey, and Igor Thiago. Thiago marked his return with a goal in the match against Bournemouth. Andrews also praised the team's solid defensive work and focus on the fundamentals, which he believes are crucial for achieving results.
"The reality is there's probably been a narrative around the club in recent weeks and months, which I understand to a point because of the departures of staff and players," Andrews stated. "But people don't realize what goes on on a day-to-day basis".
In the game against Bournemouth, Fabio Carvalho opened the scoring for Brentford, capitalizing on a header from Kristoffer Ajer following a cross from Rico Henry. Thiago, a substitute, then secured the victory with a second goal after a defensive lapse by Bournemouth.
Prior to his appointment as Brentford's head coach, Andrews had a diverse career as both a player and a coach. As a player, he was a defensive midfielder who represented the Republic of Ireland at the international level. He began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers and also played for clubs such as Hull City and Milton Keynes Dons. After retiring from playing, Andrews moved into coaching, serving as an assistant at Milton Keynes Dons and with the Republic of Ireland national team. He also had a brief stint as a set-piece coach at Brentford before taking the helm as head coach.
Notably, amidst the recent changes, Andrews has also had to deal with transfer speculation surrounding players like Yoane Wissa. Andrews recently told Wissa that he couldn't leave Brentford, despite Newcastle's interest and a reported £40 million bid.
