How Set-Piece Savvy Propelled Andrews to the Brentford Hotseat

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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From Set-Piece Guru to Brentford Head Coach

It’s rare to see a manager’s journey begin on the training fields, watching hours of corners and free kicks, and end in the dugout with Premier League pressure on his shoulders. That’s exactly how Andrews made his mark—known first as a set-piece specialist with an obsessive, almost forensic, attention to detail. What started as a behind-the-scenes role, analyzing how a single well-taken corner could win points, turned into a platform for something bigger.

The Brentford board noticed. Their football strategy was always about finding an edge — shrewd data analysis, smart recruitment, and innovation before imitation. It didn’t take long before coaches and players were talking about Andrews’ dedication. He was the guy who turned scrappy moments into goals, who showed defenders exactly where to stand and attackers where to run. It got results. When Brentford started picking up more points from set-pieces than almost anyone else in the league, people started asking: how far could this expertise go?

The Transition: From Clipboard to Command

For many clubs, moving a set-piece coach into the manager's seat would seem unthinkable. But Andrews wasn’t just a tactician—he was always part motivator, part psychologist, and part risk-taker. Players liked him because he made the basics seem exciting again. He talked about angles and timing, but he also reminded them why the game mattered. That buy-in was key.

His first weeks in charge threw him into the deep end. The transfer window loomed, expectations were sky-high, and opposition managers didn’t take Brentford lightly anymore. But Andrews kept it simple. He leaned on what worked—sharp training sessions, video analysis, and unlocking set-piece creativity. He drilled routines relentlessly, but also trusted his players to improvise when the chance came. Brentford’s results didn’t just stay solid—they improved, with crunch wins against established clubs and players growing into new roles.

Fans warmed to the new boss fast. Andrews was approachable, open with the press, and never afraid to credit his assistants. He hasn’t forgotten his roots either—you’ll still catch him on the training ground early, running through last-minute tweaks with his old set-piece notes close by.

Is it unconventional? Absolutely. But Brentford has always thrived on a bit of the unexpected. Andrews’ rise is proof that being a specialist isn’t a limitation—it can be a launchpad, if you’re ready to make the leap.