Nathan Collins: ‘I Know How Hard Andrews Has Worked’ As He Backs Brentford Coach
Brentford defender nathan collins said he was “buzzing” for Keith Andrews after the coach’s promotion to head coach, praising the balance in his man-management and the long path Andrews took to the role.
Nathan Collins Backs Andrews’ Rise At Brentford
Collins, who has known Andrews since he was 16 and had him with the Under-17s setup for Ireland, welcomed the coach’s elevation from set-piece coach to head coach. He noted that Andrews’ appointment over the summer drew external scepticism because it was his first senior head coach role, but Collins said that view did not match what he had seen personally. “I have known Keith a long time – since I was 16, ” he said, adding that he was “buzzing for him as I know how hard he has worked. “
Collins highlighted a key element of Andrews’ approach: the ability to strike the right balance with players. “He has that balance where he knows when to shout at you and when to be your mate. That man-management is really important, ” Collins said, noting how that quality has helped Andrews settle into his first season in charge. The coach is now attracting wide praise in his debut season after stepping up from the set-piece role.
Life At Brentford: Golf, Team Days Off and Personal Interests
Off the pitch, nathan collins described how he spends downtime with teammates, including golf outings that have become a recurring group activity. He said that on a weekday with good weather he will play golf with Hákon Valdimarsson, Keane Lewis-Potter and Kristoffer Ajer, and recalled a Ryder Cup–style contest between players and staff. The group once played 18 holes in the morning, had lunch and returned for another 18 in the afternoon, with the players winning the event.
In the same interview, Collins also touched on his personal interests, mentioning a love of cooking and how he values simple, team-focused leisure time.
What People Get Wrong and What He Wants To Be
Collins addressed perceptions about him, noting that some people reduce him to a stereotype: “Maybe I get the stereotypical, ‘he’s just a footballer’. And then you get ‘ah he’s pretty nice to talk to’. ” He set out a clear personal goal that extends beyond the pitch: “The main thing I want to be is just a good person, a nice person, a caring person. As much as I want to be the best footballer I can ever be, I want to be the best person. “
The comments were made in a sit-down interview on The Football Interview on Sounds, where Collins reflected on his relationship with Andrews, life at Brentford and his broader priorities as both a player and an individual.
Collins’ endorsement offers an inside view on why the head coach’s promotion has been accepted within the dressing room and why his man-management has been singled out as a pivotal factor in the early success of his tenure.
