Bees consider promoting O’Connor to first-team coaching role

Brentford could install Kevin O’Connor as an assistant to Thomas Frank.

O’Connor, who spent his entire playing career with the Bees, making more than 500 appearances, in currently in charge of the club’s B team.

He is being considered for a step up to work with the first team following the recent appointment of Frank as head coach.

Frank was one of two assistant head coaches who worked under Dean Smith, who left Griffin Park to take over as Aston Villa boss earlier this month.

The other, Richard O’Kelly, has joined Smith at Villa Park.

Brian Riemer has since been brought in from Danish club FC Copenhagen as assistant head coach – and O’Connor is in the running for a role as Frank’s other assistant.

O’Connor has enjoyed success as B team boss, overseeing wins against the Under-23 sides of the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.

He captained Brentford’s 2009 and 2014 promotion-winning sides before retiring in 2015 and immediately becoming part of the club’s coaching set-up.