Brentford Manager Discusses New Season Goal: Continue Improving After Missing Out on European Football

At the final moment of last season's Premier League campaign, Brentford missed out on a first-ever European qualification place by just one goal. Manager Keith Andrews held his head in his hands and fell to his knees at Anfield — three months later, he told Sky Sports that the goal for the new season is to continue improving.

In the final match of the 2025/26 season, Brentford drew 1-1 with Liverpool at Anfield. In the 10th minute of stoppage time, Damsgaard passed the ball to Janelt on the left side of the penalty area. Janelt then delivered a cross, sending the ball toward the center of the box with a highly inviting curve. Schade was waiting there, but Utaka got there first and headed the ball wide. Had the chance gone in, the Bees would have secured Europa League qualification by finishing seventh.

Recalling that moment, Andrews said: "That moment summed up our entire journey through the season — from the start to gradually growing. Everyone was fully committed. We have no regrets about not reaching Europe, but it definitely made us hungry for more."

Off-season reflection: How to continue moving forward

Two weeks after the season ended, Andrews returned to the training ground. He said: "You get time for deeper reflection that you normally do not have, allowing you to examine training, preparation, squad structure and every area that can help us improve in a more detailed way."

Speaking to Sky Sports at Anfield that day, he promised that the team would continue improving in the 2026/27 season: "This is a benchmark, and we will keep working to push forward." Now, he is leading a team that came close to making history last season as they aim for higher targets.