Yahoo Sports In-depth Phil Giles interview in Arsenal programme
Phil Giles discusses his role as Brentford's director of football in The Long Read, which features in the matchday programme for the New Year's Day visit of Arsenal, available in and around Gtech Community Stadium and online now.
In the in-depth interview, he discusses his relationship with Bees head coach Thomas Frank, the club's methods when signing players and the upcoming January transfer window.
Explaining how the process of appointing Frank as Dean Smith’s replacement happened, he said: “When Thomas first joined us, it was all with the potential idea that he could replace Dean - but it was never promised to anyone that there could be an internal progression.
“It’s always nice when you can do that because you can put in someone you know, it’s a known quantity, and you can assess someone’s qualities inside before you make that step.
“But when Dean left, we did do a process around external candidates, we spoke to a few people, just because a) it is a good process to do, b) it tests our assumptions and that we’re making the right decisions, and c) it reassures Thomas that he’s getting the job because he’s the best candidate, not because we can’t be bothered to find someone else!
“He showed that he was the best person and earned it.”
This issue is available to buy around the ground before the Arsenal game on Saturday, or online at shop.brentfordfc.com.
ICYMI: Buzz Bee has been taken by the Beekeeper - but who's under the mask? It's your job, along with the Brentford squad, to follow the clues across the Bees' 2024/25 programme covers to try and find out.
On each programme cover, members of the squad will be following riddles across west London, which will eventually lead them to the club's mascot - and the identity of the Beekeeper - on the final day of the season.
Clues and hints - big and small - will be scattered across each programme cover for you, the supporters, to work out who has snatched Buzz.
And, if you do, you could be in with a chance of winning a shirt signed by the Brentford first-team squad. So make sure to buy a copy, keep your eyes peeled, and study every last corner of the cover!
Submit your answers on X with the hashtag #WhoTookBuzz, along with the name of your suspect. All correct answers will be put in a draw at the end of the campaign, with the winner securing the prize.
Programmes will be available inside and outside the ground - as well as from the Bees Merchandise Kiosk and the Bees Superstore - our sellers will be accepting contactless payments only.
The subscription includes all 19 of the Bees' Premier League home games, as well as any cup games for the first team at Gtech Community Stadium this season.
Programmes will be sent via first class the day before each fixture. Please expect 3-5 working days to receive your order. This is UK delivery only.
Individual issues will be available in-store and online for those needing to fill any gaps in their collection.
