He, for me, is the early front-runner for ‘Supervisor of the Season’. That is in stark distinction to the swathes of different Premier League managers which have already left their positions up to now this time period: Graham Potter, Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Vitor Pereira, Enzo Maresca, and Ruben Amorim.
Following their 2-0 defeat away to Chelsea on Saturday, the Bees sit comfortably in 7th within the desk – having been as excessive as 5th in current weeks.
Pre-season predictions and a gradual begin
Brentford had been among the many pre-season relegation favourites after a mass Summer time exodus that additionally included the departure of their highly-rated supervisor, Thomas Frank.
And these predictions seemed wholly justified as Andrews’ aspect had been already 3-0 down at half-time of their first-league fixture of the brand new marketing campaign. They’d go on to lose this one 3-1 and had been additionally defeated by the identical scoreline away to rivals, Fulham, on September 20th. This left them 17th within the desk at this level – their lowest EVER Premier League place. However since then, issues have solely bought higher…
Keith’s early days
Keith Andrews had a modest playing-career – beginning his journey at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Management, nonetheless, got here at a young age for him when he captained them at simply 20-years-old – nonetheless a membership document as their youngest ever skipper. He would go on to seem for Wolves within the Premier League for little or no time however rose to prominence as a goal-scoring midfielder for League Two outfit MK Dons.
His type prompted a £1million-pound transfer again to the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, who had been managed by his former MK Dons boss, Paul Ince. Ince clearly felt he may get the easiest out of Andrews at any degree. Two years of normal soccer at Rovers was adopted by a profitable mortgage spell at Ipswich City within the Championship in 2011-12.
That is the place I bought my very own first-hand glimpses of Andrews in motion as he plundered 9 targets in simply 20 matches from central midfield, showcasing a knack for arriving within the field on the good second. His affect on the group was additional cemented when he was handed the captaincy by then Ipswich supervisor, Paul Jewell, who known as the Irishman “terrific” and made a number of makes an attempt to signal him completely.
Quick-forward to his ‘teaching’ profession, which began again at MK Dons as Assistant Supervisor to Karl Robinson in 2015. He additionally labored as an Assistant to Stephen Kenny for each the Republic of Eire Below-21 and senior set-ups. Following a brief stint as a part of Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United backroom workers, he was appointed as Brentford’s ‘set-piece’ coach in July 2024.
Brentford’s Director of Soccer, Phil Giles, mentioned on the time: “He’s somebody we have now identified for some time and at all times had in thoughts for a task in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later.”
Giles himself is well-known for his ‘data-driven’ selections, long-term imaginative and prescient, and profitable footballing methods which have introduced nice stability to the West-London membership.
His appointment of Andrews as ‘set-piece’ coach instantly reaped the rewards within the 2024-25 season. Brentford had been the third prime scorers within the league from attacking ‘set-pieces’ (13), in addition to having the very best defensive document from ‘set-piece’ targets conceded (simply 3).
Andrews was praised for his progressive kick-off routines, too, being credited as a key a part of Brentford’s run of (extraordinarily) early targets in September 2024. Extremely, they turned the first-ever Premier League aspect to attain inside 40-seconds in three consecutive matches.
He was already ‘set’ for the subsequent step…
Large challenges within the first managerial job
Andrews was promoted to Head Coach at Brentford in June 2025, as he changed ‘Tottenham Hotspur-bound’ Thomas Frank. Frank was a vastly standard supervisor on the membership throughout his reign from 2018 to 2025, which clearly included their promotion to the Premier League in 2021. Taking up from such a extremely revered and profitable supervisor was the primary main hurdle.
Added to this, he misplaced the providers of Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United and Yoane Wissa to Newcastle United instantly. The 2 strikers had scored 39 Premier League targets between them within the 2024-25 season. Changing that form of firepower gave the impression to be an unimaginable job for Andrews, however you wouldn’t comprehend it with their ‘goals-for’ column solely bettered by Arsenal, Man Metropolis, Man United and Chelsea up to now this season. They’ve even scored two greater than the present champions, Liverpool.
And if that wasn’t sufficient to take, they bought their ever-present Captain Christian Norgaard to Arsenal, too. The midfielder had made almost 200 appearances throughout six seasons for Brentford; one other participant that the Gtech Group trustworthy will miss significantly.
Earlier supervisor Frank had Brentford ending within the following locations within the Premier League: thirteenth, ninth, sixteenth and tenth. An excellent monitor document that added even better stress to the incoming Andrews.
Lastly, the spectacular type of the promoted sides this season – particularly Sunderland and extra just lately Leeds United has been a refreshing change. Final season, the low factors tally of Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester meant that nobody else was ever in severe jeopardy of getting dragged right into a dogfight. Andrews has not been capable of depend on the failings of others this season.
These elements spotlight the spectacular begin that Andrews and his Brentford aspect have made in opposition to the percentages…
The secrets and techniques to his success
Gone Below the Radar: Brentford clearly have nice stability from prime to backside on the membership. That is instantly evident from the truth that a change of supervisor has finished little to derail them. From the skin, there have been few expectations on Andrews – however from inside, they confirmed nice belief in him. That is the proper platform for him to thrive in. His success up to now, and Frank’s struggles at Tottenham Hotspur, spotlight the distinction in management and construction at these golf equipment general, not solely from the Supervisor’s enter.
Unbelievable House Type: They’ve made the Gtech Group Stadium a fortress this season. From their 11 residence matches up to now, it’s 7 wins and only one defeat. They’ve amassed 24 of their 33 factors. The stadium holds simply over 17,000, and solely Bournemouth’s floor holds fewer. However they’ve clearly been unaffected by the ‘trendy stadium syndrome’ which has burdened groups similar to Southampton and West Ham United lately. The gamers appear to relish enjoying at House and are backed by a educated and passionate fanbase who perceive the optics.
Igor Thiago goalscoring: The lack of Mbeumo’s and Wissa’s 39 Premier League targets appeared to depart a chasm of their assault – however step ahead, Igor Thiago, who has already netted 16 instances this season. He’s simply 4 targets behind Erling Haaland. Final season, he was scoreless in eight video games – however he’s hit the bottom operating this yr. He’s an absolute powerhouse up entrance for the Bees and fits the physicality of the Premier League completely. He has a relentless work ethic and a behavior of discovering the again of the online repeatedly. A Brazil call-up is definitely simply across the nook.
Kelleher and Henderson: Very like the striker scenario, dropping Mark Flekken in-goal may’ve spelt catastrophe for Brentford – however the acquisition of Caoimhin Kelleher has been a masterstroke. A goalkeeper who by no means let Liverpool down in high-profile matches, and at 27 years previous, he was able to be the #1 someplace. His and Brentford’s ambitions have been matched impeccably. He’s an excellent shot-stopper, a penalty-saving skilled, and has completed distribution together with his toes; an actual all-rounder.
The Liverpool hyperlinks proceed with Jordan Henderson. A lot maligned for his temporary stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq, the previous Reds legend has had a renaissance at Brentford. Sure, he’s 35 now – and doesn’t play each minute of each recreation anymore – however his affect and influence on this Brentford aspect has been magnificent and completely justifies his current choice in Thomas Tuchel’s England squads. His three targets and one help are a good return for the veteran midfielder, which included the fantastic through-pass for Thiago to attain the opener in opposition to Manchester United.
Lengthy Throws & Set-Items: In fact, ‘set-pieces’ had been at all times going to function right here for Keith Andrews – and particularly the lengthy throws which have created three targets for them this season. They haven’t been as prolific as final season in assault on this sense, however they do nonetheless have the second-best defence when coping with ‘set-piece’ targets in opposition to.
Michael Kayode is a buccaneering full-back, however he additionally has a rocket of a protracted throw, averaging 33.2 metres. Even when they don’t straight lead to a aim, they definitely trigger unease in Premier League backlines in opposition to all visiting opponents.
Different Contenders for the award
The apparent selection would, after all, be Mikel Arteta – particularly if he brings residence a number of items of silverware. Pep Guardiola at Man Metropolis can by no means be fully dominated out, however he’s having a more durable time than traditional. Unai Emery at Aston Villa is a really in a position operator and has remodeled them into real High 4 contenders once more. Then comes an honourable point out for Regis Le Bris at Sunderland, with them sitting fairly in ninth place with 33 factors – already eclipsing the entire promoted sides from final season.
Keith Andrews just lately received the battle in opposition to Le Bris of their league recreation, 3-0, as he makes an attempt to take Brentford to at the very least a top-half end. In many individuals’s opinions, he simply wants to remain as much as obtain success. That is nearly secured already, however the Premier League is a relentless beast that may swallow anybody up if the requirements slip simply barely.
I hope that his first season in administration continues to be a profitable one – and if that’s the case, he should certainly stay within the dialog for Premier League ‘Supervisor of the Season.’
Do you agree?
