Brentford held talks with Spurs manager ahead of Andrews appointment | OneFootball

Brentford Consider Postecoglou Before Appointing Keith Andrews

Familiar face wins out in Brentford dugout reshuffle

In a curious twist of managerial fate, Brentford quietly approached Ange Postecoglou about the possibility of taking over from Thomas Frank, according to The Athletic. What followed, however, was not a tale of managerial musical chairs, but rather a moment of pragmatic self-awareness from both club and coach.

Frank, having earned plaudits for establishing Brentford as a Premier League fixture, departed for Tottenham, replacing Postecoglou, who had been dismissed just two weeks after leading Spurs to Europa League glory. For Brentford, the prospect of a like-for-like swap was not fantasy. It was actively explored.

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Phil Giles, Brentford’s director of football, reportedly held informal talks with Postecoglou, though no formal interview followed. “Both parties agreed moving forward was not the best option,” notes The Athletic. Postecoglou, still reeling from a chaotic second season at Spurs, may have welcomed the contact but understandably opted for distance.

Continuity over risk

The decision to promote Keith Andrews was not taken lightly. Andrews, a former Republic of Ireland international and Brentford’s set-piece coach for the past season, emerged as the preferred candidate, his internal knowledge and clear rapport with the squad counting in his favour.

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“It’s more risky to go and get a coach we don’t know from a club where the environment might be different or maybe people around them made them successful,” said Giles. “This is actually quite a low-risk appointment because I know how good Keith is.”

Brentford’s new chapter

The West London club, admired for its data-driven recruitment and methodical planning, have long prioritised stability. In Andrews, they appoint someone well-versed in the demands of their model and the rhythms of the squad. With Francesco Farioli having moved to Porto and Postecoglou opting out, Brentford’s next step is rooted not in ambition for ambition’s sake, but in deliberate, coherent evolution.

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Ange Postecoglou? At Brentford? It sounds far-fetched, but according to The Athletic, it nearly happened. That it did not speaks volumes about Brentford’s character. The club did not chase headlines or glamour. They chased alignment, culture, and a coach who knows the training ground like the back of his hand.

Still, it is a moment that leaves supporters stunned. Postecoglou is no lightweight. He won silverware at Spurs and is respected globally. That Brentford considered him is ambitious. That they passed on him shows restraint.

Keith Andrews, in contrast, may not stir the pulses in quite the same way, but there’s something reassuring in his appointment. He knows the squad, he knows the club, and clearly, the players back him. But there is no escaping the fact that fans will need convincing. They were nearly served a blockbuster. What they have now is a blueprint. Let’s see if it works.