Keith Andrews joins Brentford as set-piece coach

Former Republic of Ireland assistant manager Keith Andrews has joined Premier League club Brentford as a set-piece coach, bringing to an end a brief stint with Sheffield United.

The former midfielder worked as assistant to Stephen Kenny in the Ireland set-up from 2020 until Kenny's departure from the role at the end of 2023.

Andrews swiftly took up a role on the Sheffield United coaching staff alongside Chris Wilder but couldn't help prevent the Blades being relegated to the EFL Championship at the end of the season.

The 43-year-old is now set to work alongside Bees boss Thomas Frank and will link up once again with Ireland defender Nathan Collins.

"Everyone at Brentford is extremely happy to see Keith join us at pre-season training for his first day today," said director of football Phil Giles on the appointment of Andrews.

"He is someone we have known for a while and always had in mind for a role at some point in the future.

"Whilst he has had more wide-ranging coaching roles in the past, focusing on set-pieces as a specialism is something which we think he has the qualities to do extremely well, and I'm sure that our staff can help him develop as a coach, too.

"Set-pieces are an important part of what we do well and I’m sure we’ll maintain those standards with Keith in charge."

Meanwhile, Rhys Carr has left his role as Ireland women's team assistant coach, as he takes up a position on the Coventry City coaching staff.

Carr has been working alongside head coach Eileen Gleeson, as well as fellow assistant coaches Emma Byrne and Colin Healy, since February.