Andrews a main candidate to replace Frank at Brentford

Brentford’s set-piece coach Keith Andrews is one of the main candidates to replace Thomas Frank as head coach.

Andrews had been part of Frank’s coaching staff since last year and is well-regarded within the club.

Frank left Brentford after seven years in charge on June 12 to become Tottenham’s new head coach.

Brentford promoted from within last time they required a new head coach, with Frank having been Dean Smith’s assistant.

Andrews is one of a handful of names Brentford are seriously considering, but a final decision has not yet been made.

Andrews is known for being Brentford’s set-piece specialist, but his coaching ability extends far beyond just that. He has been a coach at MK Dons and Sheffield United and also worked as an assistant for the Republic of Ireland U21 and senior sides.

During Andrews’ 16-year playing career, the former midfielder represented the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers, MK Dons, Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers, as well as being capped 35 times by the Republic of Ireland.

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna is among a number of other coaches admired at Brentford.

Scott Parker is not under consideration, contrary to reports elsewhere.

Analysis: Why Andrews?

Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones:

No doubt helped by Andrews’ work on the training ground, Brentford were one of the most dominant teams from set pieces last season. They scored a total of 13 goals from such situations, but the underlying numbers painted an even stronger picture with a tally of 16.71 expected goals created from set pieces – the third highest of any Premier League team.

Andrews was also one of the masterminds behind Brentford’s lightning fast starts last season, as they scored inside the opening 40 seconds of three successive Premier League games in October.

Although it was Andrews’ idea, it appears Brentford are reaping the rewards for the coming together of many of the club’s strategic assets in one play; innovative ideas, an open forum for coaching staff, players ready buy into plans, and the skills available on the field to pull them off. That was led by Frank and keeping that consistency makes sense if they are to head down the Andrews route.