Keith Andrews faces the media as Brentford head coach

Dublin born Keith Andrews was unveiled to the media on Monday at the GTech Community Stadium accompanied by long serving director of football Phil Giles as Brentford’s new head coach.

Having spent the previous season as Brentford’s set piece coach, the former Irish international who totted up 35 and won FAI player of the year in 2012, becomes the latest to make the jump from support staff to the hot seat.

Andrews said: “Two of three years ago I knew I was ready to be a head coach. Would I have foreseen it being this role at this level? Probably not, realistically, but the path I have taken has been very deliberate to get to this stage.”

Only eight other managers have hailed from the Republic of Ireland, with no other active manager in the league coming from the region. Fans may have been surprised to learn of the appointment due Andrews relative obscurity and having never been a head coach before.

Being an existing member of the backroom staff instead helped Andrews chances, due to the relationships he has built and respect he’s earned from the players.

Pundits and fans have expressed their uneasiness of appointing a head coach with no previous experience in the role. Giles refutes this and said: “There’s always going to be some degree of risk. I think it’s more risky to go and get a coach we don’t know.”

Brentford could undergo some substantial changes this summer, having already signed Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher from Liverpool and now appointing Andrews to take over from Frank.

Potentially on their way out is club captain Christian Norgaard, linked with a move to London rivals Arsenal, and club top scorer last season Bryan Mbeumo, linked with both Tottenham and Manchester United.

Giles does not appear concerned with the changes, telling reporters clubs can not be dependent on just a handful of individuals and departures give opportunities for new talent to showcase itself.

Andrews has four vacant places in his firth team coaching staff as Justin Cochrane, Chris Hallam, and Joe Newton all followed former head coach Thomas Frank to Tottenham. Andrews old job role as set piece coach is also open.

Giles said: “We are looking at all options on the table, externally, internally, exactly how we did the process for Keith and we will make a decision. Hopefully… we will get one of two done this week, potentially.”

Hiring new coaches is Andrews first opportunity to stamp his identity onto this team, and my give us an insight into what his tenure as head coach will look like.

‘Authenticity’ was the key word for Andrews when describing his coaching style, committing to being his true self in his new role and not trying to emulate or copy anyone else, having said: “[There will be] No change in how I deal with people on a daily basis, regardless of the role I am in.”