Brentford

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I may have to eat my words about Brentford's chances of qualifying for Europe.

I have said a couple of times in this column that I didn't think the Bees would finish high enough in the table, but notable wins in four days at Nottingham Forest and over Manchester United have made it a real possibility.

Nobody has really mentioned us as one of the sides who could qualify, but we have hit form at just the right time.

The victory at Forest was our best result of the season - especially keeping a clean sheet - and to follow that quick turnaround by putting four past an albeit slightly weaker than normal Manchester United team was no mean feat.

It means we have now won three in a row, we are unbeaten in five, and we have only lost two of our last 11 games.

Seven consecutive games in that run were against teams in the top half of the table, which makes it all even more impressive.

The local derby on Sunday next week against Fulham - who are one of the other sides in European contention - could potentially decide whether we make it.

Kevin Schade's brace against Manchester United means that we now have three players into double figures for goals this season - a feat only matched by Barcelona and Bayern Munich across Europe's top five leagues.

Our 62 goals is our highest-ever total in our four Premier League seasons and our attacking intent is always clear.

Even with a one-goal lead deep into stoppage time on Sunday, we were still trying to score a fifth rather than just holding the ball in the corner, which is great to see.

An exciting end to the season now beckons!

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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In the second part of a wide-ranging BBC Sport interview with Brentford director of football Phil Giles, he answered a number of questions around the futures of key Bees players:

• On Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo: "I have a lot of insight but that doesn't mean I will talk about it! No, in general, if I was looking at a striker or a wide player as another club then they have to be on a shortlist, you would imagine. But the number of clubs that can sign them is a small number worldwide so time will tell if a club has that need or requirement. At the moment, we are pretty relaxed."

• On if they can be retained by offering new contracts: "Yes, what I'd say is there is always a very good chance of players staying. In an ideal world, there is always a chance we can keep our best players, that's the dream. When we were a Championship club, we had Ollie Watkins, he signed a contract with us at one point. We said we would convert him from a wide player to a striker - we did that and he was successful - and if we didn't get promoted we would look to sell him. We were proactive to go out and sell him, we made a promise to him and we needed cash at that time because it was Covid. But now we are a Premier League club we don't need to sell Wissa, Mbeumo and others. There is more chance that a player will stay for that reason but if a big club makes a really good offer for our players then we have to look at it. We need to be good sellers, then use the money to invest wisely."

• On if players like Igor Thiago and Fabio Carvalho could replace them if they left: "Yes, that's exactly how we want to do it, really, to have the players already on board when we sell our players. Igor Thiago was bought in February 2024 because Ivan Toney was leaving. He has been unlucky with injury but the other players have come in and done well. Even at left-back, the solution to Rico Henry missing football was sitting under our noses all along - Keane Lewis-Potter has done an unbelievable job to the extent he is maybe an even better player at left-back. If an existing player can take their place, it is better for them and us."

Take in much more from Giles in the posts below.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Academy director Stephen Torpey ed Brentford in January 2023 to lead what he feels is a "clean slate" having worked with the likes of Enzo Maresca, Pep Guardiola, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden at Manchester City, while also working with Rodolfo Borrell, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones at Liverpool.

Torpey is taking charge of the revamping of Brentford's academy after they decided to reintroduce the youth system.

Speaking at the launch of Brentford's news academy building, Torpey explained: "I was so fortunate to be around great people at City and Liverpool - a lot of people I worked with have gone onto great things - a lot of players I've worked with have gone onto play for their teams, but I'm proud of those who didn't succeed, became coaches or play at a lower level."

Brentford's growth off the field extends to owner Matthew Benham's restructure of the club into a new holding company - Best Intentions Analytics, which bought Spanish third division club Merida.

Director of football Phil Giles further explained the strategy behind the expansion: "Merida will be run for its own success, first in Spain but it is also close to Portugal, so it is one of the markets many clubs look at. It was an opportunity as the previous owner Mark Heffernan was looking to sell, did good work and knew Matthew Benham already and it was sensible numbers.

"There will be a conversation about a link but that's very early in the process. We will look at how Brentford can help Merida grow and win, and help players develop for Brentford. It is easy to say it but hard to do it in practice so both are successful.

"I don't think we will ever have many clubs [in the multi-club model]. At this stage, we are not looking for another club but it doesn't mean we are not open in the future. We just want to do this really well and we are trying embed the relationships on the ground, settle it down and that will take time."

Read more from Giles on the academy and profit and sustainability rules below.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford made headlines when scrapping their academy and instead created a new, innovative B team model in 2016.

In part, due to the new Premier League rules, Brentford have re-started an academy in what might, on first look, seem like a u-turn.

However, the B team remains and this is a club in a very different position to where it was 10 years ago, as director of football Phil Giles, explained: "We had an academy but closed it in 2016. The reason for that was that we were a very small Championship club with low revenue and the spend on the academy wasn't meteoric but still big enough and we felt if we wanted promotion we had to spend every penny on that target.

"We couldn't wait 10 years to bring players through, we wanted promotion to establish some revenues.

"That's why we focused on our first team and B team. The idea with the B team was these are players closer to the first team, capable of making a genuine impact -players like Mads Roerslev and Marcus Forss came through that for our promotion team.

"When we got promoted, we reviewed it and considered re-opening the academy because our revenues improved. Brexit had an impact because it limits overseas player availability but also increases demand on British players from all other clubs across the Football League.

"We, for example, we got Fin Stevens in from Woking and sold to St Pauli from our B team, so there is that increased demand for English talent. We also need more youth teams to get our Uefa license if we end up playing in Europe, and the final thing was the Premier League mandate changed the rules to tell us to open an academy so that was the final thing tipping us over the edge to do it."

He added at the launch of the new academy building: "The B team still exists and will do what it has been doing but will now have a pipeline from Under-9s to the B team, which also plays in Professional Development League, as Under-21s, but also play the same bespoke games as they always have done. The B team is still the link to the first team."

Academy director Stephen Torpey, formerly a coach at Liverpool and Manchester City, further explained: "We treat it like a private school for footballers.

"There are more coaches available, about five-to-one with combined age groups at younger levels, which allows us to give more tailored, bespoke programmes and give an opportunity to grow.

"We also encourage kids to continue playing grassroots sport to aid their friendships away from Brentford and take some of the pressure off. We've recruited 114 players and hired 54 full-time staff with around 30 part-time staff on top to build out that team.

"We are the first club ever to go from a Category 4 academy to Category 2 and the next step will be adding an indoor pitch, a dome, to get to Category 1.

"Our Under-18s were the first men's team to have a female coach in Lydia Bedford. Our B team, which fulfil the U21s programme and we are in the play-offs, we're in the final of Premier League Cup, competing against Monaco and Nice in the Atlantic Cup.

"As a dad of four myself - I know it is about caring first and we want to be ired as the most caring, progressive academy, which fits the ethos of the rest of the club."

You can read more from Giles as part of a wider interview below.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

As part of a wide-ranging interview about the youth teams and multi-club future of Brentford, director of football Phil Giles answered a number of questions, including around the club's chances of qualifying for Europe and transfer plans:

• On this season and the possibility of qualifying for European football: "We don't set specific targets about winning cups, qualifying for Europe or getting into a position. It is about improving the squad, staff and the environment around it in the hope we achieve a tangible reward. If that happens in the future, who knows? If it was a bigger club, we might target Europe but we are just content with continual progress and evolution."

• On whether qualifying be a 'catch-22' situation with the impact it could have on league form: "Yes, well there are a number of ways to go about it. You maybe could increase the squad size or give opportunities to younger players. We are not getting ahead of ourselves but we would look at it in of the squad if we do it."

• On possible incomings: "There is no European or non-European plan. The plan is to be ready in all positions as you never know who might leave - to be ready and to react quickly if that's the case, then to look at positions in the squad that can be strengthened over time. When we go into a summer window, we think, who is the best possible player you can sign? We think if we keep adding players to the squad, we can learn about them. Like [Keane] Lewis-Potter, who we didn't know could play left-back, we can learn about them and Thomas can shape a team out of it. If you have quality in the first place, you have a better chance of succeeding."

• On if Brentford can benefit from a strong profit and sustainability rules position: "Yes, we have loads of PSR headroom - I wish we could sell it to the highest bidder if anyone wanted to buy it. Unfortunately, the regulations don't allow us to do it but it would be a creative solution if clubs that had PSR headroom could sell it to clubs that potentially need it. I don't anticipate it being discussed in the near future."

Check this Brentford page again this afternoon for more from Giles.

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Following Brentford's 4-3 win over Manchester United, Thomas Frank's side now have three players that have contributed 10 or more goals in the Premier League this season - with no other team matching the same statistic.

Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa and Kevin Schade are all in double figures in a campaign where the Bees sit ninth in the Premier League having won their last three games.

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy praised Danish manager Frank for doing a "great job" at the club on Match of the Day 2.

"They have got a great intensity and physicality about them," Murphy said. "Make no bones about it, I have seen Brentford play a few times and they know how to play as well as going long.

"They do have long throwers, they do play long occasionally and they do use their pace, but they can also play out from the back as well with Christian Norgaard getting on it.

"They vary their game as well as any other team in the Premier League. I think Thomas Frank has done a great job."

Former Premier League player Wayne Rooney agreed, adding: "I played against them with Derby County a few years ago, so to see them established in the Premier League, doing really well and potentially playing in Europe - the manager has done brilliantly."

Catch up on Match of the Day 2 on BBC iPlayer

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We asked for your views on Brentford's Premier League match against Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Brentford fans

George: Never a dull day in Hounslow! We brought on too many players for the final 10 minutes and saw our shape and marking fall apart. Thankfully we didn't fall prey to one of United's trademark comebacks and can appreciate three huge points. Michael Kayode and Kevin Schade were real standouts once again and Yoane Wissa was on fire, scoring four in four games with no signs of stopping.

Ron: We were great in attack but we were so poor in defence. Great game to watch and I think Brentford are an unbelievable team on their day. Shout out to Kayode who arguably had his best game as a Bee. He was great with the ball at his feet, showing us that we must sign him permanently in the summer. Also two great headers for Kevin Schade who had a very good game. Come on you Bees!

Luke: Brentford were excellent and deserved the win, despite playing a weakened United team. They looked threatening going forward and the front three of Bryan Mbeumo, Schade and Wissa combined well, as always. Brentford look strong in every position. Let's hope we can hold on to Mbeumo and Wissa for next season.

Man Utd fans

Steve: Absolutely awful. Scored three (two consolation goals) but shipped four. Do they think they need to be in a losing position before it's worth playing? They are not good enough to give teams a two or three-goal headstart.

Michael: This was treated at the same level as a pre-season friendly, and the third youngest line-up in Premier League history proved it. It was a good runout for the second string and only just came up short

Matt: How can we even consider selling Alejandro Garnacho? He's a bright, creative spark and running with the ball - an exciting, dynamic winger. The sooner we go back to width and crosses into the box (Amad Diallo and Garnacho) the sooner Rasmus Hojlund starts firing. End this turgid possession-based football. It's tedious and gets us nowhere!

Mark Chapman presents highlights and analysis from Sunday's four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brentford 4-3 Manchester United

• Brighton 1-1 Newcastle United

• Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool

Manchester United are ready to the race to sign £60m-rated Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, 25, this summer. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Sean Kearns
BBC Sport

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Brentford kept their European hopes alive with a thrilling 4-3 win against Manchester United at the Gtech Community Stadium.

A Luke Shaw own goal, Kevin Schade brace and a late Yoanna Wissa effort gave the Bees a 4-1 lead.

United scored two late goals through Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo to ensure a nervy finish.

But the Bees hung on to make it three wins on the bounce.

The victory leaves Thomas Frank's side in ninth, one point behind eighth-placed Bournemouth.

Depending on results in the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup, an eighth-place finish could be enough to ensure European qualification.

"I thought we were very good today," said Frank.

"I thought we were in complete control until the 4-1 and then of course I'm a little bit irritated that we were sloppy.

"It's the third win in a row, and this week away at Nottingham Forest and at home to Manchester United where we got six points and both of them were fully deserved."

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Thomas Frank spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Brentford's victory against Manchester United: "We add layers to the game, we almost had a little spell where we didn't score many at the start but now the amount of goals we score is crazy. we have three players on ten or more, that's exceptional."

On aiming for Europe football: I think we definitely have momentum. The last 13 we've had a really good run of games, there's a flow of playing well. We need to keep that up. The next one is the most important game and that's Ipswich away."

On the end to the season: "It's already a good season, let's see if it can be a good or incredible season."

Image source, Getty Images

Yoane Wissa has scored in four consecutive Premier League appearances for the very first time. He has 18 goals in the competition for Brentford in 2024-25 (level with Bryan Mbeumo), with only Ivan Toney in 2022-23 (20) ever netting more in a Premier League campaign for the Bees.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Brentford's performance

What did you make of United's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies.

Intro referencing day, competition and number of matches.

• Brentford v Manchester United

• Brighton v Newcastle - BBC Radio 5 Live

• West Ham v Tottenham

• Chelsea v Liverpool (16:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

We know Manchester United are going to make changes here, because seeing out the second leg of their Europa League semi-final with Athletic Bilbao is their priority.

Ruben Amorim's side nicked a point at the very end of their game at Bournemouth last weekend, which sparked mass celebrations, but I really don't see them doing the same against Brentford - they won't be getting the bunting out this time.

The Bees are such a dangerous team when they come forward and they will keep on attacking United. Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa should get plenty of chances and I can see them getting a goal or two between them.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League home game against Manchester United (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Frank has confirmed the players are "all fit" and said "it's all about recovery" after the win at Nottingham Forest. However, he insisted the Bees will be "ready to attack again".

• On the brilliance of Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo: "It's been a big privilege to be involved in their development and partnership. Biggest credit to the two players. The way they have developed so far, why not more? No-one knows what their ceiling is. It is my job to maximum the team's potential."

• Frank also highlighted the importance of the defence and not just the attack. He said it is a "key focus area" and they noticed "the improvement" that was needed to the defence at the start of the season.

• On Manchester United: "They are a team that is very structured. They defend very well and they know what they want to do, offensively and defensively. Also, their form in Europe shows their potential. It's Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they'll put a very competitive team out there."

• Frank refuted claims the Premier League has not been difficult this season and stated that it is "so competitive" and praised the division for not having a "top six", with more teams competing for the top spots.

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary of Brentford v Man Utd at 14:00 on Sunday

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We asked for your thoughts on Thursday's Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

Nottingham Forest fans:

Fosi: Yet another abysmal performance. No fight, no ion and no idea. Is our season over?

Freddy: Huge disappointment at the result. I'd hoped that bowing out of the FA Cup would galvanise the players, but the opposite seems to have happened. They looked tired and devoid of ideas. I just hope an easier run of games will get us over the line - Chelsea last game of the season seems huge now.

Ken: It's over I'm afraid. Those players are exhausted and have no more to give. It was like watching us two seasons ago. The very thing that has been our rock - defence - is falling apart at exactly the wrong time. Our failure to sign one or two strikers has well and truly scuppered us.

John: We're on a bad run at at a bad time. I don't care one way or the other about Europe, except that we've got some players I wouldn't want to lose to clubs who get there. We're good enough to put this right but we're running out of games.

Brentford fans:

Mel: Dare we dream about Europe? Yet another top performance against a top six team. Incredible team spirit and winning mentality continues to deliver exceptional performances. Our run in looks favourable when compared to others, and a result against Manchester United keeps a European dream alive.

Tim: The Bees showing their teeth and battling for the points was a pleasant surprise. Michael Kayode blunted Forest's game plan by matching them for pace. Great to see Kevin Schade poke that ball home, the guy needs a bit of confidence to bring out his best.

David: Brentford controlled the game and executed their chances with confidence and precision. The travelling fans must have been planning their European tour on the way home. Another masterclass from Thomas Frank.

Josh: We are making a last minute surge for Europe. We couldn't do it could we? Don't stop believing!

Newcastle are interested in Brentford and Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo, 25, but are concerned by his £60m price tag. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Bobbie Jackson
BBC Sport Journalist

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After a 12-day break, Brentford must have been itching to get back on a pitch and attempt to boost their hopes of securing a European berth.

As soon as the whistle blew at the City Ground, the Bees were up and at it - taking the game to Nottingham Forest and searching for the perfect start.

They almost got their reward after 17 minutes when Sepp van den Berg's header was palmed away by Matz Sels.

Brentford continued to push and finally got their noses in front on the stroke of half-time with Kevin Schade evading his marker and prodding in from close range.

Thomas Frank's side did have to weather a storm early in the second period - it wasn't just the torrential rain - as Forest came out with a spring in their step.

However, Anthony Elanga was the only player to seriously call Mark Flekken into action, with the goalkeeper getting down to his left and tipping a curling shot wide.

Flekken went on to have an impact in the decisive goal with his long ball teeing up Yoane Wissa, who chipped beyond a despairing Sels.

Despite picking up the win, Brentford remain 11th but they are just two points adrift of eighth-placed Fulham after extending their unbeaten run to four games for the first time this season.

Brentford have never finished higher than ninth in the Premier League and could sur that achievement as they push for Europe.