O’Connor praised for role as Bees coach

Brentford manager Mark Warburton has hailed the progress Kevin O’Connor is making as a coach.

The club captain, 32, recently obtained his UEFA B coaching licence and Warburton has likened him to assistant manager David Weir.

“Kevin is making a fantastic job of his transition. He is getting better as a coach every day,” Warburton said.

“He reminds me of David; very level-headed and calm but with a steely streak in him, which you have to have in the sort of career he’s had.

“Kevin is hungry to learn and he recognises that many players struggle to make the transition. The player’s life is such they have to work hard but then commit themselves to rest and nutrition, whereas with the coaching side an 80 to 90-hour week is commonplace.

“The transition is difficult and Kevin will be the first to admit that, but I have no doubt he will succeed.

“He’s got to make the transition because that’s where he is in his career. He’s got a great opportunity here and we’ll support him because he’s got so much to offer the club.”

O’Connor, a one-club man who has made more than 500 appearances for Brentford, was handed a one-year contract extension in March but has played just once this season in the Capital One Cup.

Warburton says O’Connor is aware he may never play for the club again as they continue to improve in the Championship but insists he has a massive future as a member of the backroom staff.

“Kev’s not stupid. He will look at it and think ‘where am I going to play right now?’ with a number of players ahead of him in every position,” the Bees boss said.

“Kevin knows his focus has got to be on the next stage of his career now. He’s got great experience from his playing days, which makes it great for youth team players to have the club captain, with over 500 appearances, taking a session.”

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