Brentford were left to rue the finest of margins on the final day of the Premier League season as a draw with Liverpool condemned them to ninth place and denied them a spot in the Europa Conference League on goal difference. A campaign that began with widespread predictions of struggle instead saw Keith Andrews’ side punch well above their weight, yet the narrowest of gaps separated them from a European debut.
Having been tipped for a difficult season after a summer of upheaval — in which head coach Thomas Frank departed for Tottenham Hotspur and key forwards Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo left the club — the Bees confounded expectations. Andrews, promoted from set‑piece coach with no prior senior managerial experience, led his team to a ninth‑place finish with 39 points. The final‑day stalemate at Anfield, however, meant they missed out on the Conference League by goal difference, a result that left the dressing room in a state of mixed emotions.
“Mixed, mixed,” Andrews said when asked about the post‑match mood. “Definitely disappointment, we know what could have been and we realise that if we had won we would have been seventh, I think, so yeah, fine margins.” The head coach was quick to turn the focus to pride. “I was quick to tell the players how proud they should be of themselves and what we’ve collectively achieved this season, and the staff that have played a huge part this season as well. So we’ll enjoy a bit of a break, players are going to the World Cup, players are going to internationals, and we’ll be striving again next season.”
Transfer speculation and the Brentford model
With the season over, attention turned to the summer window and the inevitable interest in Brentford’s squad. Andrews acknowledged that high‑performing players attract attention — “it is a good problem to have” — but he deflected specific questions about departures and instead underlined the club’s long‑standing transfer philosophy. “In January and around contract renegotiations, we were very keen to keep hold of the group we have rather than look elsewhere first because we’ve got really good players, players that have potential that hasn’t been fulfilled yet, especially when you look at the age profile,” he said.
Brentford’s squad carries an average age of 25.5, a deliberately young profile that fits Andrews’ emphasis on nurturing talent. He described a blend of developing players and “elder statesmen that aren’t that old really in footballing terms, that are very consistent, know the fabric of the club, have that little bit of nous and experience that will help the younger players develop as a collective.” This approach has been central to the club’s recruitment model, which prioritises identifying undervalued young players and giving them a clear pathway to the first team.
Andrews himself was a calculated appointment. Director of football Phil Giles said at the time that promoting from within was less of a risk than looking externally, and the manager has since extended his contract until 2032. On the pitch, Andrews has built on Brentford’s existing strengths while introducing new defensive solidity — the team has become more compact, conceding fewer shots per game, while maintaining their trademark effectiveness from set‑pieces and adding a sharper counter‑attacking threat. His preferred 4‑2‑3‑1 formation allows flexibility between shorter build‑up play and longer, direct balls, with goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and centre‑back Nathan Collins noted for their accurate long passing.
The club has already been active in the summer market, securing the signing of 19‑year‑old Austrian under‑21 international defender Jannik Schuster from RB Salzburg for a fee of around £17 million. Schuster, who fits the high‑intensity style Andrews demands, chose Brentford ahead of interest from other European clubs because of the club’s track record in developing young players. Despite the potential for bigger clubs to test their resolve with bids for key men, Andrews made clear the intention is to keep the current group intact. “The nature of the game is if your players are playing well, there is always going to be interest, so it is a good problem to have. It’s not one I’m going to be addressing today, but I’m sure I’ll be asked about it as soon as we get back in pre‑season.”
