Latest news with #MatthewBenham
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'We must give Andrews a chance' - fans on new Bees boss
We asked for your views on the appointment of Keith Andrews as Brentford's new head are some of your comments:Alan: A supporter since 1960 and sceptical for much of that time, but I have total faith in the current management structure and ability - so I back this totally. If it doesn't work out they'll have a plan to Let's all get behind Andrews' new management team. It will be interesting if there are any other internal promotions from the coaching staff. As always, keep the faith and roll on season We must give Andrews a chance to show what he can do as the number one. We talk about the great job Thomas Frank did but, honestly, how many people knew anything about him when he joined Brentford and then became head coach? The management at Brentford know what the club needs and requires, and if Andrews fits the bill, who are we to say no?Gary: Gutted. Total lack of ambition from the club.J: Change is a risk, and so is not changing. I can't think of any owner or directors of a football club better placed to exploit risk than Brentford's. I am very excited about this season coming. I will miss Frank, Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard, but there is some incredible talent in our squad, which is designed for the next three to five years. Just watch!Stephen: Do you honestly think Matthew Benham and Phil Giles would take a punt on Premier League survival by appointing Andrews? The answer is crystal clear. It is now about Keith's relationship with the players and how he can keep the motivation and momentum high after Frank's successful seven-year reign. The have all worked with Andrews for a year. He has seen what works and doesn't work. It is too early to judge.
BBC News
6 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Premier League managerial rookies increasingly rare
Brentford are renowned for their innovative, data-led approach under owner Matthew Benham, often defying conventional wisdom in search of an edge when it comes to recruitment and strategy, and they have certainly bucked the trend by naming the inexperienced Keith Andrews as their boss. He was previously the Bees' set-piece coach and has also worked as an assistant at MK Dons, Sheffield United and the Republic of Ireland but this is his first managerial is increasingly rare for Premier League clubs to opt for a permanent manager who has not taken charge of a competitive senior last man appointed in such circumstances was Mikel Arteta in 2019, though the Spaniard was by that point already a sought-after coach following three years working under Pep Guardiola at Manchester examples have also tended to involve high-profile hired Manchester United assistant manager Steve McClaren in 2001 and Gareth Southgate in 2006, while Gianfranco Zola's managerial career began with West Ham in 2008 - and the likes of Attilio Lombardo (Crystal Palace), Ruud Gullit and Gianluca Vialli (both Chelsea) started as player-managers in the 1990s.A less well-known name is Les Reed, who won one of seven games with Charlton in 2006.A more common path now is for rookies to prove their worth as a recently, Gary O'Neil took the reins at Bournemouth in August 2023 despite no prior experience, getting the job on a permanent basis three months dismissed at the end of the season, he led the side to 15th, earning another shot at management with Wolves.
The Independent
7 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Keith Andrews appointed head coach at Brentford
Brentford have appointed Keith Andrews as their new head coach. The west London club confirmed Andrews had been chosen as the man to succeed Thomas Frank, who has taken up the vacancy at Tottenham left by Ange Postecoglou. Andrews has been working as the Bees' set-piece coach but has now been promoted to the top coaching job. The 44-year-old Irishman began his professional playing career at Wolves, and also played more than 70 matches at both MK Dons and Blackburn. He won 35 caps for the Republic of Ireland and represented his country at Euro 2012. Since moving into coaching he has worked as an assistant at MK Dons and within the Republic set-up. He had been working at Sheffield United until taking up his set-piece role at Brentford last summer. Andrews said he felt 'humbled' and 'honoured' to have been appointed. 'I'm very appreciative of the owner (Matthew Benham), the board and the staff that have supported this decision. It's an opportunity I feel I'm very capable of doing and ready to do,' he told the club's official website. 'I don't know where to start in terms of what's exciting me because there's so much: the potential of the football club, the potential of the players and the potential of the staff that underpin what has brought success to this brilliant football club.' Brentford director of football Phil Giles described Andrews as 'a very good fit' for the job. 'He gets on with everyone, he's very open and he's a learner,' Giles told Brentford's official website. 'Keith is clear in what he wants, he's detailed, and the players and staff like and respect him. He understands the players in the building and the way we've played and trained under Thomas Frank. 'Keith will bring his own evolution but isn't starting from scratch, so hopefully we can make some quick progress. 'He's a very good coach and has clear ideas about how he wants the team to improve. We were looking for somebody not just to maintain what we've been doing but actually try and get better.'
BBC News
10 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'One bad appointment in 10 years' - so is it a case of 'trust the process'?
Keith Andrews becoming our new head coach is a typical Brentford has been key at the club in recent years with Mark Warburton, in 2013, and Thomas Frank, in 2018, also promoted from talk started of Frank moving to Tottenham, I expected assistant Justin Cochrane to be the person who replaced him - until he also moved to north London.I have no idea of Andrews' general coaching or managerial abilities, but nobody can deny he had a successful first season as set-piece coach in conceded the fewest number of goals from set-pieces in the Premier League and scored the joint fifth highest number of goals from then, of course, there was the September run, when we became the first club to score in the opening minute of three consecutive Premier League explained it was Andrews' idea to start fast from the kick-off and he had a different plan for each of the appointment has caused some disquiet on social media from fans who wanted a bigger or more experienced he has held assistant manager roles in the past, he has never had the top job. Obviously given that inexperience - and the probable loss of key men in Bryan Mbeumo and captain Christian Norgaard - there is a risk involved in making him head owner Matthew Benham and director of football Phil Giles have only made one bad managerial appointment in 10 years and they rectified that Brentford fans say everyone should 'trust the process' - and I do - but a good start is vital to ease any pressure from some fans and to give the squad a morale boost after a turbulent do you think about this appointment? Do you trust the process at Brentford or was there a different name you had in mind?Get in touch with your thoughts here Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Claudia Schiffer's film-maker husband in talks to buy stake in Brentford after supermodel seen at Premier League game
CLAUDIA SCHIFFER'S film-maker husband is in talks to invest in Brentford. Matthew Vaughn, 54, is best known for producing Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - the gangland caper that featured former footballer Vinnie Jones. 5 The British producer and director married former supermodel Schiffer in 2002. Schiffer, 54, was spotted in the posh seats at the Gtech Community Stadium alongside their two daughters for Brentford's home defeat to Nottingham Forest in December 2024. Now Vaughn is said to be working with South African businessman Gary Lubner on buying a minority stake in the Bees. Brentford declined to comment. But reports claim owner Matthew Benham would be willing to sell between ten and 20 per cent of his shares for £40million to £80m, valuing the club at £400m. Gambling and statistics mogul Benham has spent more than £100m of his own money transforming Brentford. The Bees have climbed from League One to the top half of the Premier League and opened a new stadium since he took full control of the club in 2014. But Benham is understood to recognise that outside investment will be necessary if Brentford are to continue to thrive and develop. The Bees have already seen boss Thomas Frank leave for Tottenham and are set to lose another star player, Bryan Mbeumo, this summer. Extra cash would give them a better chance of competing with rivals on wages and transfer fees. Why Thomas Frank is the PERFECT manager for Tottenham Vaughn, who also directed Layer Cake and X Men: First Class, would bring some showbiz glamour to Brentford - whose current shirt sponsor is Hollywoodbet. He is also rich. The production company he co-owns with Schiffer, Marv Studios, revealed a profit of £77.4m in its last accounts. But Lubner is a more wealthy and controversial figure. He is the former CEO of Belron, the owners of Autoglass, and is one of the biggest donors to the Labour Party during the leadership of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. In 2023 alone, Lubner contributed more than £4.5m to Labour coffers. 5 5
