Right then. With Thomas Frank off to Spurs, Brentford suddenly find themselves in the middle of a manager hunt. And as always, the bookies were quick to react. It didn’t take long for Keith Andrews to shoot to the top of the market, and as I write this, he’s odds-on at 1/2 to get the job.
Now I don’t know about you, but when I see odds like that, my punter’s instinct kicks in. Not just because of who’s favourite, but because of how quickly they became favourite. That tells us something. Something about how these markets work—and something about what the insiders might know.
So let’s have a proper look, shall we?
The Short Price Story
When Frank started being linked with the Spurs job seriously, most punters and journos expected the Brentford board to go for someone in the same mould—calm, structured, a bit of a tactician. Not someone flashy. Not someone who’s all shout and no shape. So in that respect, Keith Andrews fits the profile.
He’s already in-house, part of the coaching set-up. Knows the players, knows the club, ticks a lot of boxes for a steady handover.
But 1/2? That’s proper short. That’s not “he might get a look in.” That’s “someone knows something.”
And when the market starts moving like that, it usually means one of two things: either the bookies are protecting themselves based on inside info, or the weight of early money is so heavy they don’t want to get stung. Either way, it’s a signal worth paying attention to.
Where’s the Value?
🚨 Understand now that Keith Andrews has held talks with Brentford along with Kieran McKenna and others
Justin Cochrane has already shown his desire to be Brentford Manager. Thomas Frank is keen to bring him to Tottenham. People within Brentford state Justin coaching on the… pic.twitter.com/QLoXFBGkL5
— TheSecretScout (@TheSecretScout_) June 12, 2025
For me, Andrews at 1/2 just doesn’t scream value—not unless you’ve got concrete confirmation from someone inside the club, and even then, you’re tying up a bet for a pretty slim return. You’re risking £20 to make a tenner. You’d be better off waiting for a press release if you’re that convinced.
But if you’re like me—looking for value, not just likelihood—there’s a few other names floating about that might be worth a nibble.
Liam Rosenior was being mentioned at 8s earlier this week. Now he’s drifted slightly, but if Brentford want a young manager who plays progressive football and develops players, he could fit the bill. Plus, he’s free after leaving Hull. Could be a left-field but logical pick.
Kieran McKenna, Ipswich’s manager, guided the Tractor Boys to Premier League promotion and offers a track record of progressive football. His odds, around 6/1, reflect serious market interest. He’s not just a hopeful outsider—he’s a proven young coach who ticks a lot of Brentford boxes.
Then there’s former Bodø/Glimt boss, Kjetil Knutsen, at about 7/2–6/1 on various platforms . He’s got pedigree in Europe, his teams overperform, and he’s not a household name in the UK—good formula. If his figures continue to fascinate investors, those prices could soften, so you’d need to be timely.
Watch the Patterns
Here’s the thing. Bookies don’t price these markets based purely on football knowledge. They price based on liability. If they take a few chunky bets on one name, the price tumbles—even if the actual chance hasn’t changed.
That’s where you, as a bettor, need to step back and ask: is this real momentum, or just market noise?
In this case, I’d guess there’s a bit of both. Andrews clearly has support behind the scenes, but the price has probably gone too far. Once you’re into odds-on territory for something as unpredictable as a manager appointment, the risk outweighs the reward.
You wouldn’t back a 1/2 shot in a six-horse handicap without watching the parade ring. Same principle here.
My Take
If I had to back someone right now, I’d avoid the favourite. I’d wait to see how the market moves over the next few days, especially once Spurs make their move official. Brentford won’t want to be left scrambling, but they’re not the type to rush a decision either. They’ll be working behind the scenes, and any whispers will show up in the market before they hit the press.
I’d be keeping a close eye on anyone between 6/1 and 20/1. That’s the sweet spot—high enough for value, low enough to suggest there’s at least a whisper of something happening.
If Rosenior drifts to 12s or higher, I’ll probably have a small go. Same with Svensson. Nothing heavy—just a speculative punt.
Andrews might well get it. But at that price? It’s a no from me.
Bet Smart
Manager markets are tricky beasts. You’re not betting on form or stats—you’re betting on whispers, phone calls, and gut instinct. But they’re also great fun if you approach them the right way. Don’t just follow the money. Try to think like the board. What do they want? Who fits their style? And where’s the smart money going quietly?
For now, this Brentford market is still wide open, even if the odds don’t say so. And I reckon we’ve got at least another week of twists before the picture clears up.
Watch the press. Watch the markets. And as always—bet smart, not just loud.
