Brentford ‘contacted Ange Postecoglou about replacing Thomas Frank’ in stunning Premier League manager job swap
BRENTFORD held informal talks with former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou about replacing Thomas Frank, reports claim.
It would have been an incredible job swap shortly after Frank was named Postecoglou’s successor at Spurs, following the Aussie’s brutal sacking by Daniel Levy.
Frank almost instantly emerged as the red-hot favourite to succeed Postecoglou at the helm, after Tottenham’s 17th Premier League finish was too much to bear.
Postecoglou was sent packing despite leading the side to the Europa League, which ended a 17-year wait for a major trophy and secured qualification for the Champions League.
And Frank, 51, was later confirmed as Spurs’ new gaffer just days later after agreeing a three-year deal.
The swift turnaround left Brentford searching for a new manager to replace Frank, who established the Bees as a solid Premier League club during his seven-year tenure.
Brentford appointed Keith Andrews, the club’s former set-piece coach, as their new boss late last month after weeks of speculation.
But The Athletic have now revealed that Brentford director of football Phil Giles held informal discussions with Postecoglou.
The report does state that the 59-year-old was not interviewed for the role, as both parties agreed moving forward was not the best option.
Brentford also considered former Ajax manager Francesco Farioli, who has now joined Porto, before promoting Andrews.
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Andrews, a former Republic of Ireland international and Premier League star, joined the Bees as a set-piece coach last summer and has not been a No 1 before at senior level.
The 44-year-old’s familiarity with the squad and strong presentation ensured he was the first-choice candidate.
Andrews began his professional playing career at Wolves, and also played more than 70 matches at both MK Dons and Blackburn.
Giles said about his decision: “There’s always going to be some degree of risk.
“It’s more risky to go and get a coach we don’t know from a club where the environment might be different or maybe people around them made them successful.
“This is actually quite a low-risk appointment because I know how good Keith is.”
Meanwhile, Postecoglou has been linked with jobs in the Saudi Pro League, but now it looks as though Major League Soccer could come calling.
MLS side Los Angeles FC are considering replacing Steve Cherundolo with the former Premier League boss after a poor Club World Cup run.
LAFC took just one point from matches against Chelsea, Esperance and Flamengo.
Keith Andrews' career stats
- Wolves, 1999-2005: 72 games, 0 goals
- Oxford (loan), 2000-2001: 5 games, 1 goal
- Stoke (loan), 2003: 16 games, 0 goals
- Walsall (loan), 2004: 10 games, 2 goals
- Hull, 2005-2006: 30 games, 0 goals
- MK Dons, 2006-2008: 87 games, 22 goals
- Blackburn, 2008-2011: 76 games, 5 goals
- Ipswich (loan), 2011: 20 games, 9 goals
- West Brom, 2012: 14 games, 2 goals
- Bolton, 2012-2013: 29 games, 4 goals
- Brighton (loan), 2013-2014: 35 games, 1 goal
- Watford (loan), 2014: 11 games, 1 goal
- MK Dons (loan), 2015: 5 games, 0 goals
- Republic of Ireland, 2008-2012: 35 games, 3 goals
Trophies
- MK Dons: League Two, EFL Trophy
- ROI: Nations Cup
Coaching career
- MK Dons, assistant manager
- ROI U21s, assistant manager
- ROI, assistant manager
- Sheffield United, coach
- Brentford, set-piece coach
- Brentford, manager
