Brentford news: Keith Andrews can be 'top coach' but needs two key things to happen to succeed with the Bees

New Brentford boss Keith Andrews has all the attributes to become a 'top coach' in the future, a former Republic of Ireland international has exclusively told Sports Mole.

Andrews was a surprise choice to take over the reins at the Gtech Community Stadium after Thomas Frank left his role for a fresh challenge at Tottenham Hotspur.

The 44-year-old was working as a set-piece coach under Frank, and his previous coaching experience came as an assistant manager at MK Dons, Sheffield United and with the Republic of Ireland senior and Under-21 sides.

Andrews has inherited a tricky situation, as Brentford have seen key players like Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard depart, while Yoane Wissa is keen to complete a move to Newcastle United.

Meanwhile, on the pitch, Andrews was given a brutal reality check in Sunday's Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest, seeing his team ship three first-half goals in a 3-1 defeat at the City Ground.

Kilbane backs Andrews to be 'top coach'

While there may be question marks surrounding his suitability for the role, former Sunderland and Everton player Kevin Kilbane believes that Andrews possesses the ability to forge a successful career in football management.

"First off, Brentford have put Keith Andrews in a tough position," Kilbane said. "Losing Mbuemo, losing Norgaard, and now Wissa, anyone coming into the coaching role would feel it tough.

"Keith is a top coach, a really impressive guy, someone who is very skilled in the game and can be a top coach. It’s such a tough gig when you have lost your best players."

Kilbane may be confident in Andrews's coaching credentials, but he highlighted two key things that need to happen if he is to have a real chance of succeeding at Brentford.

What does Andrews need to succeed at Brentford?

The ex-Wigan Athletic man feels Brentford need to give Andrews enough time to get his ideas across, and that the new boss needs to be backed with new arrivals before the summer transfer window closes on September 1.

"I just hope that Brentford can give him time," Kilbane added. "Forest away was a tough opener as they had a great season last year. This weekend, it is a home game against Aston Villa, and it is a chance for Andrews to get the team playing more offensively.

"The squad is filled with excellent footballers, and I am sure Keith will look to carry on the good work that Frank did at the club, but I know he will have his own ideas."

"I hope they can get more players in as the window comes to an end because he deserves a chance to show what he can do. The last thing we want as connections with Ireland is for him to lose his job without having a chance to put his ideas across."

Andrews will be looking to claim his first points as a Premier League boss when his team welcome Aston Villa to the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.

Kevin Kilbane was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of NetBet Irish Online Casino