Brentford's new boss Keith Andrews is Guinness-loving former Premier League star who suffers no fools
KEITH ANDREWS is a people's person who loves a pint of Guinness and a night out.
But when comes down to business, the new
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New Brentford boss Keith Andrews is ready to prove himself in his first-ever managerial role
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Andrews has replaced Thomas Frank after the Dane joined Tottenham
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That is the view of two of his ex-team-mates who have also observed his coaching abilities first hand.
Andrews, 44, is taking over from
David Dunn played alongside him in Blackburn's midfield in the Premier League while Dean Lewington was a team-mate at MK Dons and later coached there by him too.
And both say Andrews is far from a risky appointment despite never having been a manager - let alone in the top flight.
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Former England international Dunn, 45, told SunSport: 'I read and hear this stuff that he was just their set-piece coach. But he's been doing much more than that.
'I've spent a lot of time with Brentford recently.
'And I've got to know the guys there inside out. They've got everything covered.
'They've spent so much on research and development, finding small fine margins to give them an edge. It's a brilliant club.
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'Keith did the set-piece coach role brilliantly. Look at the amount of goals they scored and how few they conceded from set-pieces.
'But he was also helping the guys in lots of other areas too. He's been coaching for years and along with his playing career fully understands all aspects of the game.'
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Andrews enjoyed a successful playing career and was an Irish international
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Andrews had been set-piece coach at Brentford before his promotion
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Andrews joined Rovers in 2008 after winning promotion with MK Dons in League Two and following his boss Paul Ince to Ewood Park.
The ex-midfielder spent three seasons in the top flight, playing also under Sam Allardyce and Steve Kean.
Dunn added: 'His leadership qualities and work ethic were excellent and he led by example.
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'He was insightful and thoughtful in his views about the game and never afraid to give his opinion. I'm not surprised he's gone on to do well in coaching.'
MK Dons legend Lewington won promotion with Andrews in 2008 as well as winning the EFL Trophy at Wembley - with Andrews scoring in the 2-0 victory over Grimsby at Wembley.
Lewington, who retired this summer at the age of 41 after making an incredible 916 appearances for the club, said: 'Keith was our talisman and captain that season.
'In all honesty he was above our level. He was a Championship-standard player who went on to play in the Prem.
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'He just oozed leadership and professionalism — and speaks concisely and with such great authority.
Keith Andrews' career stats
Wolves, 1999-2005: 72 games, 0 goals
Oxford (loan), 2000-2001: 5 games, 1 goal
Stoke (loan), 2003: 16 games, 0 goals
Walsall (loan), 2004: 10 games, 2 goals
Hull, 2005-2006: 30 games, 0 goals
MK Dons, 2006-2008: 87 games, 22 goals
Blackburn, 2008-2011: 76 games, 5 goals
Ipswich (loan), 2011: 20 games, 9 goals
West Brom, 2012: 14 games, 2 goals
Bolton, 2012-2013: 29 games, 4 goals
Brighton (loan), 2013-2014: 35 games, 1 goal
Watford (loan), 2014: 11 games, 1 goal
MK Dons (loan), 2015: 5 games, 0 goals
Republic of Ireland, 2008-2012: 35 games, 3 goals
Trophies
MK Dons: League Two, EFL Trophy
ROI: Nations Cup
Coaching career
MK Dons, assistant manager
ROI U21s, assistant manager
ROI, assistant manager
Sheffield United, coach
Brentford, set-piece coach
Brentford, manager
'Keith is also passionate and demands high and immaculate standards.
'We used to enjoy some nights out and he loved a beer, especially Guinness, but when it was time to work he was ultra professional.
'When he came back as a coach under Karl Robinson everything had to be perfect. Even the smallest detail was important to him.
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'And he isn't a person who suffers fools gladly. You had to be with him.
'Hopefully Keith will be another successful story for Brentford.'
This is echoed by Dunn, who points to the fact that Frank led the club into the Prem after being promoted from within to replace Dean Smith.
And he said: 'Often people say it's a risk to appoint from within. Blackburn promoted Ray Harford to replace Kenny Dalglish and that didn't work out.
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'But there are equally examples where it did work, no better than the one set by Brentford with Frank.
'Brentford might well be losing quite a few big players this summer and it will be down to their excellent recruitment team there to get the right players in.
'Yet, knowing Keith and his abilities, he has all the attribute to be a success. He knows what it takes and is a great fit.'
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