Lewis still rues the loss of Rowan, one reason why The Bees are buzzing
Lewis Macleod’s time at Brentford was beset by injury and filled with frustration.
But as the former Rangers midfielder embarks on a new venture, he knows those years were far from wasted.
Macleod, who retired at 28 last month because of a knee injury, is taking tentative steps towards a career in coaching or recruitment, hoping giant strides are possible thanks to knowledge soaked up at the innovative club.
He believes his future will be inspired by what he found behind-the-scenes at The Bees.
Signed by Mark Warburton, Macleod played under Dean Smith then Thomas Frank, with whom Brentford currently ride high in the Premier League’s top half.
He always knew the club were bound for great things as trailblazers in the English game.
The former Scotland Under-21 cap worked extensively with a set-piece coach, throw-in coach and even a sleep coach during four years with the data-driven London outfit, famed for its recruitment model and analytics.
Free-kick guru Nicolas Jover, now pivotal in Arsenal’s title challenge, was one influence when Macleod signed for £1-million in 2015.
He said: “I’m not surprised what Brentford have done. Being there opened my eyes to a different thought process, and how it benefits the team preparing for games. Hopefully I can take that wherever I go.
“I was on set-pieces, so we had two independent discussion meetings a week on them, the opposition’s free-kicks, then practical work.
“At the start, you’re thinking: ‘A setpiece coach? I’ve never heard the likes!’ It took us a full pre-season to understand.
“But seeing how passionate Nicolas was, and playing a part in how successful it was to where he is now tells you its importance.
“Every aspect you can think of, we covered it. We were totally in sync.
“If I had six extra assists from set-pieces, then other teams would look at that.
“As much as it helps the club, it’s definitely helped the individual. That explains why players move from Brentford for fortunes.”
While injury prevented Macleod from being a lucrative sell-on success, there have been many others.
Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konza at Aston Villa, Said Benrahma at West Ham and Neal Maupay – Brighton then Everton – made the west London club colossal profits.
Macleod was moved by news their new training facility has been named the Robert Rowan Performance Centre.
Rowan, an ex-Stenhousemuir, SFA and Celtic scout and analyst, was Brentford’s technical director when he died in his sleep four years ago, aged just 28.
“The club’s success also comes down to the type of people they are outside of football,” said Macleod.
“Naming the new facility after Robert shows what the club is about. It’s brilliant to see them think of him, and ensuring his legacy lives on.
“Robert made my time so much easier in London, and not just because he was a Scot. His death was a terrible shock.
“He joined when they were a League One club, knew the philosophy, and the right players to sign. He’s so much to do with where Brentford are now.
“I’d go for dinner with him once a week. We’d talk games, and my position. He was so knowledgeable on recruitment.
“Thinking back to our conversations, there were ‘B’ team players I’d maybe not thought so highly of.
“But Robert would say: ‘He’s going places’. And those players proved him right.
“For example, Andre Gray came in for £500,000 and was sold for £9m a year later.”
Today Brentford visit Aston Villa, who sacked Steven Gerrard last Thursday night, a fate unlikely to befall Bees boss, Thomas Frank, any time soon.
“His one-to-one coaching was superb,” recalled Macleod. “Even though sessions were very specific and detailed, every single one was enjoyable.
“Thomas was so approachable. To a player, that’s important. But he’d tell you straight, and never sugar-coat anything.
“I discovered that when speaking to Thomas when I wasn’t featuring under Dean. His staff’s dedicated approach is everything I want to take into coaching, if I go down that route.
“Under Thomas, Brentford will only go on to bigger and better things.”