How The Bees Survived The Summer Chaos | Brentford Manager Keith Andrews Talks to Beesotted | Part 1

The season is over

Brentford came within a cat’s whisker of embarking on a European tour next season. It was close, but ultimately no cigar. Yet when you consider that plenty of pundits, bookmakers and rival fans had the Bees tipped for a relegation battle before a ball was kicked, finishing 9th in the Premier League - equalling the club’s highest-ever top-flight finish - represents another remarkable achievement

With the dust settling on the season, Beesotted sat down with Brentford Head Coach Keith Andrews for a wide-ranging and candid conversation recorded at the One Over The Ait pub

At the start of the season, Andrews could barely escape the "free-kick coach" label. Nine months later, he's guided Brentford to another top-half Premier League finish and established himself as his own man in the dugout. This conversation offers a fascinating insight into the thinking, personality and decision-making of a coach who faced plenty of challenges during his first season in charge

Keith discusses Thiago, World Cup call-ups, his journey from pundit to Brentford coach, his passion for Ireland and Irish football, and the pride he takes in helping develop the next generation of players and coaches

He also opens up about Yoane Wissa’s decision not to play for Brentford at the start of the season, dealing with the upheaval and uncertainty that surrounded the club during the summer, the opening-day defeat against Forest that left many supporters fearing the worst, what went wrong away at Fulham, the memorable victory over Manchester United, and his reflections on a first season that ultimately exceeded most expectations

As with any honest football conversation, some questions are answered directly, others are explored in greater depth, and a few remain open to interpretation. But throughout the interview, Andrews provides genuine insight into the challenges, pressures and rewards of leading a Premier League football club with small budget

Part Two will be available shortly on PrideOfWest.London and all major podcast platforms

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