With the start of the 2025/26 season fast approaching, we're looking at what's new in the Premier League.
Two managers will take charge of teams in the competition for the first time: Keith Andrews and Regis Le Bris.
Keith Andrews
The new Brentford head coach is starting in management for the first time, replacing Thomas Frank, who left for Tottenham Hotspur in July.
The 44-year-old has experienced the Premier League from the dugout, albeit with the Brentford coaching staff as a set-piece coach since last summer. Prior to that appointment, the former West Bromwich Albion and Republic of Ireland midfielder held Roles as an assistant manager at MK Dons and assistant with the Republic of Ireland’s senior and Under-21 teams.
The Irishman also worked under Chris Wilder at Sheffield United, spending seven months there before moving to west London in July 2024.
Andrews' 16-year playing career included spells at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Hull City, MK Dons, Blackburn Rovers, West Brom and Bolton Wanderers, as well as several loan stints across the English Football League (EFL).
He earned 35 caps for the Republic of Ireland between 2008 and 2012, and played in all three of their matches at UEFA Euro 2012.
Andrews is the ninth Premier League manager with Republic of Ireland nationality, following the likes of Roy Keane (Sunderland) and David O'Leary (Leeds United, Aston Villa).
All-time PL manager nationalities
| Nation | No. of managers |
| England | 136 |
|---|---|
| Scotland | 34 |
| Italy, Spain | 15 |
| Wales | 12 |
| Netherlands | 11 |
| France, Republic of Ireland | 9 |
| N Ireland, Portugal | 8 |
| Germany | 7 |
Regis Le Bris
Le Bris joined Sunderland on a three-year contract last summer and marked his debut season in spectacular style, guiding the Black Cats back to the Premier League for the first time in eight years.
The 49-year-old had spent two seasons in charge of Lorient.
As a player, Le Bris played in defence for Rennes and Laval, before a brief spell with Ronse in Belgium. He was also capped at Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 level by France.
Le Bris started his coaching career at Wasquehal in France and gained further experience at Rennes before joining Lorient in 2015, initially as head of youth development before progressing to the role of head coach in June 2022.
He is the ninth Frenchman to be in charge of a Premier League club, following compatriots such as legendary Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and the late Gerard Houllier, who had spells at Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Both Andrews and Le Bris are the sole representatives for their nations among the 20 Premier League managers for the 2025/26 season.
Nationalities of PL managers 2025/26
| Nationality | No. of managers |
|---|---|
| Portugal, Spain | 4 |
| England | 3 |
| Germany | 2 |
| Austria, Denmark, Italy, France, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Scotland | 1 |
Welcome back
Meanwhile, two managers — Daniel Farke and Scott Parker — will return to the Premier League after their promotions from the Championship with Leeds and Burnley respectively.
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