Just moments before the final whistle signalled the close of the 2025/26 campaign, Brentford stood on the brink of an unprecedented achievement: a place in European competition. They were locked in a 1-1 stalemate with Liverpool at Anfield, aware that a single extra goal would elevate them to seventh place and secure a Europa League berth. In the tenth minute of stoppage time, Mikkel Damsgaard slipped the ball to Vitaly Janelt on the left edge of the penalty area.
Janelt delivered a first‑time, curling cross that drifted perfectly into the heart of the box. Kevin Schade was in position, but Dango Ouattara arrived first and inadvertently deflected the ball away from goal.
Keith Andrews, overwhelmed, dropped to his knees, clutching his head. The conclusion of his inaugural season as head coach could not have been more dramatic. "That moment summed up the journey we embarked on last season – from our shaky start to the way we grew into a cohesive unit," he reflected three months later. "Everyone was fully invested, giving their all.
Missing out on Europe was disappointing, but it also stoked our hunger for the next season. While on holiday I felt immense pride in what we accomplished, and the next question was instantly clear: how do we improve and where do we go from here?" Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Andrews promised progress for 2026/27, calling the previous season a "baseline" and vowing to keep pushing.
Two weeks later, back at Brentford’s training base, he described the rare opportunity to step back and analyse the campaign in detail. "You get a chance to think more deeply than the weekly grind allows – to scrutinise training methods, preparation routines, squad dynamics and every small area where we can gain an edge. I didn’t need massive meetings to outline the next season; the ambition was already palpable in the day‑to‑day atmosphere.
You could smell it, feel it." The first major staff change arrived on 12 June, when former Republic of Ireland teammate Damien Duff was appointed as Andrews’ assistant. "Damien is an incredible daily support. In a role that demands impact and responsibility, he delivers exactly what we need," Andrews said.
The summer transfer window brought a different rhythm compared to the frantic activity of 2025. While star forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard departed for Manchester United and Arsenal respectively, and Yoane Wissa’s eventual move to Newcastle unfolded over several weeks, the club avoided headline‑grabbing sales this season.
The only notable exits were centre‑back Ethan Pinnock, who featured in just four Premier League games last term, and midfielder Frank Onyeka, who left for Coventry for under £12 million after two seasons on the periphery. Instead of splurging, Brentford focused on adding depth.
The club ranked eighth‑lowest in Premier League spending, allocating £112.5 million on incoming talent. "Last season we sometimes lacked senior experience and flexible options during games," Andrews admitted.
"Our players gave everything, but at times they needed a little extra support." He praised the precision of the summer signings: Jannik Schuster, a youthful centre‑back who has settled quickly; Callum Wilson and Jaidon Anthony, both seasoned Premier League performers who bring on‑field quality and off‑field leadership; Mamadou Sangaré, an eye‑catching acquisition who has made an immediate impact; and Malick Diouf from West Ham, a signing that delighted the club’s hierarchy. "We have bolstered an already strong squad, retained the core we wanted, and I’m extremely pleased with the deals we completed," Andrews asserted. Improvement remains the mantra, and Andrews is candid that the next step is to break the European ceiling.
"Naturally the next goal is to reach Europe again," he said, acknowledging that this will dominate press‑conference questions for months. What does that ambition look like in practice?
Andrews points to individual development. "Take Michael Kayode – he had an outstanding season, now we aim to make him even better.
When every player improves, confidence spreads and the whole team lifts." He also highlighted tactical evolution. On set‑pieces, Brentford now sees itself as a genuine threat, seeking to dominate both offensively and defensively. In open play, the aim is to create chances through varied approaches rather than relying on a single pattern.
Defensively, the team will balance high‑pressing intensity with the ability to sit deep, absorb pressure, and launch swift transitions, all while defending the box with collective aggression. These ideas began to materialise from the opening weekend of the new season. Brentford hosted Tottenham Hotspur at the Gtech Community Stadium and delivered a commanding 3‑0 victory, narrowly missing a fourth goal when Igor Thiago’s penalty struck the left‑hand post.
Sky Sports analyst Jamie Redknapp praised the performance, noting the players’ ability to cover each other's positions, the bravery of the back line, and the high‑pressing centre‑backs that stifled Tottenham’s build‑up. Andrews echoed the sentiment, explaining that Brentford can adapt to different game models. "We can control matches with the technical quality we possess, and our individuals thrive within the system. If opponents want a fight, we’ll give them one.
Our squad’s varied attributes allow us to unsettle opponents unpredictably, while we always respect each phase of the game and aim to neutralise the opposition’s strengths." The atmosphere at the stadium added to the occasion. Andrews highlighted the fans’ role, describing the flags organised by the TW8 Casuals and the electric pre‑match energy as "special". He felt a strong connection between the supporters and the players, believing it helped fuel the on‑field performance.
The momentum continued with a 6‑1 demolition of Birmingham City in the Carabao Cup, followed by a hard‑fought 1‑1 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road, where Andrews felt Kevin Schade deserved a penalty after a challenge by Jayden Bogle. The next fixture pits Brentford against Sunderland at the London Stadium. Reflecting on the season’s start, Andrews said, "The players are expressing themselves with verve and personality, which I love.
To maintain that, we must keep pushing each other, stay demanding, and recognise that nothing is handed to you in this league. By challenging one another we’ll discover how far we can go." Having come within a single goal of European qualification at Anfield, Andrews is determined to bring Brentford even closer this time around. The club’s blend of strategic recruitment, focused player development, and tactical flexibility sets the stage for a campaign that could finally see the Bees break through to continental competition.