Brentford are in the middle of a transition that could have destabilised a lesser club. The departure of Thomas Frank to Tottenham and the loss of key players such as Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, Christian Nørgaard and goalkeeper Mark Flekken might have stripped the team of its core. Instead, Brentford’s framework – a blend of data-led recruitment, strong club structures and an emphasis on set-piece efficiency – is holding firm under new head coach Keith Andrews.
Andrews, once Frank’s set-piece specialist, has leaned into Brentford’s awkward, combative style, while injecting his own pragmatic edge. Set plays remain central, with long throws from Michael Kayode and the aerial presence of Igor Thiago, who boasts the league’s highest conversion rate this season. Kevin Schade’s pace, Jordan Henderson’s experience and Yehor Yarmolyuk’s pressing quality have also helped maintain Brentford’s identity as hard-running, physical and resourceful opponents.
Behind the scenes, continuity has come from chief executive Jon Varney and sporting director Phil Giles, who has insisted Brentford can “never be established” at their size and must continually adapt. Ownership changes have brought in new high-profile investors such as Gary Lubner and Sir Matthew Vaughn, but the philosophy of maximising limited resources remains unchanged.
Andrews, the first Irish Premier League manager since Chris Hughton, is showing a steadier public face than Frank but hasn’t shied from criticising “snobbery” around set-piece reliance. He has sought to inspire his squad by inviting figures such as Johnny Sexton and Paul McGinley to share their insights.
Mixed results so far – including a 3-1 win over Manchester United and a draw with Chelsea – underline both the challenges and resilience of Brentford’s approach. For now, they remain what they have been at their best: difficult, awkward and never a side to be underestimated.
