Brentford defender Nathan Collins says he is thrilled for Keith Andrews as he has had exposure to how hard his head coach has worked to earn his position.
Andrews took charge of the Bees during the summer - stepping up from set-piece coach - with some onlookers questioning his experience.
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The 45-year-old is now attracting widespread praise in his first season as a head coach.
"I have known Keith a long time - since I was 16," Collins told The Football Interview on BBC Sounds.
"I had him Under-17s with Ireland. I was buzzing for him as I know how hard he has worked. He has that balance where he knows when to shout at you and when to be your mate. That man-management is really important."
In sitting down with Kelly Somers, Collins discusses his childhood, love of cooking and how he would spend a day off.
"If it's a weekday and good weather I'll play golf with a few of the lads here," he says.
"Me, Hakon Valdimarsson, Keane Lewis-Potter, Kristoffer Ajer. It's a good group and we do a little Ryder Cup style here as there are a lot of us - staff against players. We did it last year - 18 holes in the morning , lunch and 18 in the afternoon, really good fun. The players won."
Asked what people get wrong about him, 24-yearpold Collins said: "Maybe I get the stereotypical, 'he's just a footballer'. And then you get 'ah he's pretty nice to talk to'.
"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."