The search for the Next Brentford Manager is officially underway. Following Thomas Frank’s high-profile departure to Tottenham Hotspur, the pressing question at the Gtech Community Stadium is who will be the new Brentford manager. The club is reportedly keeping close tabs on two primary targets: Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna and Brentford’s own set-piece guru, Keith Andrews. This intense focus on the Brentford Next Manager has fans anxiously debating whether either candidate can truly continue the superb work of their predecessor.
The challenge is immense. Frank is the architect of Brentford’s modern identity who leaves behind a legacy of innovation and Premier League stability. Now, the club’s hierarchy faces a critical decision. Will they opt for the proven managerial success of Kieran McKenna Brentford, or will the continuity offered by the potential appointment of Keith Andrews Brentford be the favoured path? The decision will define the club’s immediate future and its ability to build on the remarkable foundations Frank laid.
The Race for Brentford Next Manager: McKenna vs. Andrews
The contest to succeed Frank presents a fascinating study in contrasts. Two distinct paths lie before Brentford as they weigh their options for the New Brentford Manager.
Kieran McKenna Brentford: The Tactician Forged at the Top
Kieran McKenna’s rise in the coaching world has been nothing short of meteoric. Forced to retire from a promising playing career at just 22 due to a persistent hip injury while at Tottenham Hotspur, the Northern Irishman immediately dedicated himself to coaching, earning a degree in sports science from Loughborough University.
His formal coaching journey began within the academy setups of clubs like Leicester City and Nottingham Forest before he returned to Tottenham to take charge of their Under-18s. It was here that his reputation as a meticulous and forward-thinking coach began to grow, guiding Spurs’ youth team to an FA Youth Cup semi-final in 2015.
This success attracted the attention of Manchester United, who appointed him as their Under-18s manager in 2016. In his second season, he led the team to the Premier League Northern Division title, earning a promotion to the senior team’s coaching staff. In 2018, at just 32, McKenna became assistant manager to José Mourinho, retaining the role under Ole Gunnar Solskjær and, briefly, Ralf Rangnick. This short tenure exposed him to the pressures and tactical demands of managing one of the world’s biggest clubs.
Kieran McKenna took his first step into senior management with League One team Ipswich Town in December 2021. He had an immediate impact, and in his first full season (2022-23), he guided the club to automatic promotion, finishing second with an impressive 98 points and scoring 101 league goals.
His tactical philosophy, primarily utilising a flexible 4-2-3-1 formation, focuses on dominating possession, building from the back, and fluid attacking movement. His side became renowned for its high-tempo pressing and ability to create overloads in central areas. The following season, he achieved the remarkable feat of back-to-back promotions, leading Ipswich to the Premier League. This achievement, built on tactical versatility and player development, saw him named the LMA Manager of the Year for 2023-24, cementing his status as one of the brightest young managers in British football.
Keith Andrews Brentford: The Specialist with Inside Knowledge
Keith Andrews offers a completely different, yet equally compelling, profile. After a long and successful playing career as a central midfielder, earning 35 caps for the Republic of Ireland, Andrews transitioned into coaching with a clear and analytical perspective honed from years in the professional game and as a respected media pundit.
His coaching career began in earnest as an assistant manager, first at MK Dons for the 2015-16 season. He then became a key part of Stephen Kenny’s international setup with the Republic of Ireland, serving as an assistant for the Under-21s before being promoted to the senior team in 2020. He was part of the coaching team for 40 games, gaining valuable experience in international management.
A spell as assistant manager to Chris Wilder at Sheffield United followed in late 2023 before he was headhunted by Brentford in July 2024 for the specialist role of set-piece coach. Brentford has long been a pioneer in this area, and Andrews was brought in to continue the innovative work of his predecessors, like Nicolas Jover (now at Arsenal).
Keith Andrews made an immediate and profound impact at the Gtech Community Stadium. As the credited brains behind Brentford’s lethal set-piece strategies, his influence went beyond the norm. He masterminded goals scored directly from kick-offs, using novel ideas and detailed planning to exploit weaknesses from the opening whistle. It was achieved through aggressive, pre-planned movements. His philosophy is simple: every dead ball is a chance to score, a mindset that aligns perfectly with Brentford’s analytical culture. The question for the board is whether this tactical ingenuity in a specialised area can translate to the all-encompassing demands of being a Premier League manager.
An Expert’s View on the Next Brentford Manager
Football analysts remain divided on the ideal candidate. The choice between McKenna’s external achievements and Andrews’s internal expertise presents a classic managerial dilemma for the Brentford board.
Speaking to BBC Sport, football pundit Michael Atherton laid out the scenario. “With Kieran McKenna, you get a manager who has built a team to escape a tough division and play an attractive brand of football. His credentials are clear. The main question is how his philosophy would integrate with Brentford’s very specific data-led recruitment and tactical approach.”
Atherton continued, “Keith Andrews offers a seamless transition. He knows the system inside out. He has been part of the success. The leap from a specialist coach to the top job, however, is significant. The pressures of being a manager extend far beyond the training pitch, and that remains an unknown quantity for Andrews at this level.”
Can a New Brentford Manager Continue Frank’s Superb Work?
A palpable sense of anxiety permeates the Brentford fanbase. Gratitude for Frank’s transformative tenure is now mixed with uncertainty about what comes next. The debate is passionate on social media and fan forums.
“McKenna’s record at Ipswich speaks for itself,” wrote one supporter on the “Griffin Park Grapevine” forum. “But Frank was the heart of this club. Can an outsider really replicate that connection and ethos?”
Another fan highlighted the risks of the alternative. “Andrews has been a genius with our set pieces, no doubt. But is the manager’s job the right place to gamble on someone with no senior management experience? It is a crucial moment for the club.”
This apprehension underscores the immense pressure facing Frank’s successor. The new manager will be expected to deliver results and uphold a philosophy that has come to define Brentford.
Thomas Frank goes from the second longest-serving manager at a Premier League club to the newest!
He spent 6 years and 7 months at Brentford before moving to Spurs 🤝 pic.twitter.com/VXT1pXq3CU
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 12, 2025
Beyond the Frontrunners: Other Managerial Contenders
While McKenna and Andrews dominate the conversation, other names have been mentioned in connection with the vacancy. Former Fulham and Bournemouth boss Scott Parker has featured in the bookmakers’ odds, though his more pragmatic style may not align with Brentford’s established identity. The club’s leadership, known for its astute and often unconventional appointments, will undoubtedly have a thoroughly researched shortlist.
The decision now rests with the board. Their choice for the Next Brentford Manager will be a defining moment, signalling the club’s direction in the post-Frank era. The Bees’ faithful, and the wider football world, are watching with intense interest.
