Kenny looks to play the Brentford way
BRENTFORD hasn’t come up too often in Irish football chats over the years. However, the homely, unglamourous west London club could be the template for the way Stephen Kenny wants his Republic of Ireland team to play. The Bees’ innovative head coach, Thomas Frank, likes to combine data and human input with a ‘no d**head’ approach to a club with no academy, and no U23 team.
Against the odds, Brentford are fourth in the Championship and joint highest scorers in the division.
And Kenny has been over to see them up close and work out what exactly makes them tick.
‘I went into Brentford for quite a few days with
Thomas Frank because they are interesting to me as a team, looking at the way they play and their set-up.
‘‘I do think some of the characteristics are interesting with the players that we’ve got.
‘There are different ways of playing. Looking at them, they have some similarities as to how I would think we could play. I’m fascinated by teams and how they evolve.’
Kenny, who puts a lot of store in data, revealed he also spent time ‘getting to know’ John O’Shea at Reading where the Ireland centurion is taking the first steps up the coaching ladder.
O’Shea has since been appointed Ireland U21 assistant boss, which may be a result of the Kenny chat.
Before Covid-19 ground sport to halt, Kenny also touched base with a friend, Christophe Moulin, who is head of elite players in Switzerland.
‘I’ve been to see him, to discuss the Swiss way and what they’re doing, their ideas on best practice on international football, how they prepare.’
‘I’ve talked to other international managers and had chats. I don’t really want to start name dropping managers but I’ve prepared myself for the role.’