Keith Andrews – From Set-Piece Coach to Brentford Head Coach
Keith Andrews is a former Republic of Ireland international midfielder who, in June 2025, was appointed head coach of Brentford. His rapid rise from set-piece coach to first-team manager marks a significant step in a coaching career that began behind the scenes.
Born in Dublin and developed through the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy, Andrews played for a host of English clubs over a 16-year professional career. He earned 35 senior caps for Ireland and represented the nation at UEFA Euro 2012. Since retiring, he has built a reputation as a thoughtful and methodical coach, with a particular focus on set-piece organisation.
His appointment at Brentford came after Thomas Frank left for Tottenham Hotspur. The club highlighted Andrews’ communication skills and clarity of ideas as key reasons for giving him the top job, just 11 months after he joined the backroom staff.
Who Is Keith Andrews?
Keith Joseph Andrews is an Irish football coach and former player, born on 13 September 1980 in Dublin. He played as a defensive midfielder throughout his career. After retiring, he transitioned into coaching, working as an assistant with the Republic of Ireland, MK Dons, and Sheffield United before joining Brentford.
Keith Joseph Andrews, born 13 September 1980, Irish former defensive midfielder, now Brentford head coach.
Over 400 appearances for clubs including Wolves, Bolton Wanderers, Hamilton Academical; 35 caps for Republic of Ireland.
Appointed Brentford head coach on 1 July 2025 after Thomas Frank’s departure; contract until 2032.
Gained attention in 2026 for visiting Macclesfield’s dressing room post-match in a show of sportsmanship.
Key Insights
- Andrews transitioned from a solid Premier League and Championship midfielder to a highly regarded coach.
- His appointment as Brentford head coach surprised many, coming so soon after Thomas Frank’s departure.
- He joined Brentford as set-piece coach in July 2024 and was promoted to head coach just under a year later.
- The Macclesfield dressing room visit in 2026 demonstrated his sportsmanship and boosted his public image.
- His long-term contract (7 years) indicates strong club belief in his project and stability.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Keith Joseph Andrews |
| Date of Birth | 13 September 1980 (age 45) |
| Nationality | Ireland |
| Playing Position | Defensive Midfielder |
| Senior Clubs | Wolves, Bolton Wanderers, Hamilton Academical, and others |
| International Caps | 35 (Republic of Ireland) |
| Coaching Role | Brentford Head Coach |
| Appointment Date | 1 July 2025 |
| Contract Expiry | 30 June 2032 |
Which Clubs Did Keith Andrews Play For During His Career?
Andrews’ playing career spanned over a decade and a half, taking in multiple clubs across the English football pyramid. He began as a youngster at Wolves and went on to represent sides such as Hull City, MK Dons, Blackburn Rovers, West Bromwich Albion, and Bolton Wanderers.
Early Career at Wolves
Andrews joined the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy from Dublin schoolboy side Stella Maris in 1999. He made his first-team debut in March 2000 at the age of 19. Over six years at Molineux, he made 72 league appearances, though much of his time there included loan spells.
MK Dons, Blackburn Rovers, and the Premier League
After a one-season move to Hull City in 2005, Andrews joined MK Dons in 2006. There, he helped the club win promotion from League Two under manager Paul Ince. When Ince moved to Blackburn Rovers in 2008, Andrews followed. He later signed for West Bromwich Albion in January 2012 and also had a loan spell at Ipswich Town.
International Career with the Republic of Ireland
Andrews earned 35 senior caps for the Republic of Ireland and scored three goals. His international debut came in November 2008 in a 3–2 friendly defeat to Poland, a match in which he found the net. He was part of the Ireland squad at UEFA Euro 2012.
While Andrews is widely reported to have played for Bolton Wanderers and Hamilton Academical, some sources, including his profile on Brentford’s official site, do not explicitly list every club spell. Career summaries from sources like extratime.com and oncloudseven.com confirm his involvement with Wolves, Hull City, MK Dons, Blackburn Rovers, Ipswich Town (loan), West Bromwich Albion, and Walsall.
When Was Keith Andrews Appointed Brentford Head Coach?
Keith Andrews was appointed Brentford head coach in June 2025, following the departure of Thomas Frank to Tottenham Hotspur. The announcement was made by the club on its official website, with director Phil Giles praising the Irishman’s clarity and communication.
How Did He Become Brentford Head Coach?
Andrews had joined Brentford only in July 2024, taking the role of set-piece coach. His work on both attacking and defensive restarts was quickly noticed. According to the club, the defensive side of set plays had been “very good” under his guidance. When Frank left, the board felt Andrews was the right internal candidate to maintain continuity and tactical identity.
What Is Keith Andrews’ Coaching Style?
Phil Giles described Andrews as a coach with “very clear ideas,” a strong communicator, and someone whose ideas were detailed and respected by players and staff. The clearest publicly documented tactical emphasis is set-piece optimisation, particularly on the defensive side. Sources do not yet outline a full tactical blueprint for his broader open-play style, meaning deeper claims would be inference rather than directly sourced fact.
According to Transfermarkt, Andrews’ contract at Brentford runs from 1 July 2025 until 30 June 2032, a seven-year deal that signals strong long-term faith from the club’s hierarchy.
What Is Known About Keith Andrews’ Personal and Early Life?
Born in Dublin on 13 September 1980, Andrews grew up in Ireland before moving to England as a teenager to join Wolverhampton Wanderers. He attended school in Dublin and played for local side Stella Maris before being scouted by Wolves.
Family Background
Publicly available information about Andrews’ family, including his spouse, children, or wider upbringing, remains limited. The search results used for this article do not provide reliable or confirmed details about his personal life beyond his birthplace and early club affiliations.
At present, verified biographical information about Keith Andrews’ family members is not available in the published sources reviewed. Any claims about his spouse, children, or personal relationships would be unsubstantiated and are therefore excluded from this article.
Keith Andrews Career Timeline
- : Born in Dublin, Ireland
- : Joins Wolverhampton Wanderers academy from Stella Maris
- : Makes senior debut for Wolves at age 19
- : Moves to Hull City
- : Joins MK Dons, wins promotion from League Two under Paul Ince
- : Follows Ince to Blackburn Rovers; makes international debut for Republic of Ireland against Poland
- : Signs for West Bromwich Albion; represents Ireland at UEFA Euro 2012
- : Becomes assistant to Stephen Kenny with Republic of Ireland senior team
- : Joins Sheffield United coaching staff under Chris Wilder
- : Appointed set-piece coach at Brentford
- : Appointed Brentford head coach after Thomas Frank’s departure
Established Facts and Areas of Uncertainty
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Birth date (13 September 1980) and nationality (Irish) | Long-term success of his coaching tenure at Brentford |
| Playing clubs: Wolves, Hull City, MK Dons, Blackburn Rovers, West Bromwich Albion, and others | Specific tactical evolution over future seasons |
| 35 senior caps for Republic of Ireland; played at Euro 2012 | Personal life details beyond publicly known (e.g., exact family composition) |
| Official appointment as Brentford head coach (June 2025) | Future international coaching ambitions |
| Contract length: until 30 June 2032 per Transfermarkt | Full tactical blueprint for open-play style |
Why Keith Andrews Matters in 2025–2026
Keith Andrews represents a modern trend of former international players stepping into top-level coaching. His appointment at Brentford came after Thomas Frank’s departure, and early analysis highlighted his ability to maintain the club’s identity while adding flexible defensive tactics. The viral Macclesfield moment humanised him and boosted media coverage. His long-term contract signals stability, but questions remain about his ability to handle high-pressure Premier League expectations.
For context on the league he operates in, see the English Football League Tables in Order – Latest BBC & EFL Standings.
Sources and Key Quotes
Keith Andrews was appointed Brentford head coach in June 2025 following the departure of Thomas Frank.
— Brentford FC
Keith Joseph Andrews (born 13 September 1980) is an Irish football coach and former player who played as a defensive midfielder.
— Wikipedia
Great from Keith Andrews, just comes across as a very likeable down to earth guy.
— Facebook / TNT Sports, on the Macclesfield dressing room visit
What’s Next for Keith Andrews?
The 2025–26 season will be the first full test of Andrews’ leadership at Brentford. Media and fan interest will follow his tactical refinements and his reputation for sportsmanship. Longer term, some observers have speculated about a potential future role with the Republic of Ireland national team, though no concrete plans have been announced.
For a broader view of the competitive landscape, also see the Eintracht Frankfurt vs Tottenham Stats – Head-to-Head Record and Results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Keith Andrews
Is Keith Andrews related to the singer Keith Andrews?
No, Keith Andrews the footballer is not related to the musician of the same name. He is a former professional footballer from Ireland.
What position did Keith Andrews play?
He played as a defensive midfielder during his career.
How many goals did Keith Andrews score for Ireland?
He scored 3 goals in 35 appearances for the Republic of Ireland national team.
Did Keith Andrews play in the Premier League?
Yes, he played for Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.
What did Keith Andrews do after retiring?
He moved into coaching, starting as an assistant manager before taking the Brentford head coach role.
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