In-depth Phil Giles interview in Arsenal programme | OneFootball

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.

In a segment of the chat, Giles stated: “Thomas won’t be involved much in the transfers from a technical point of view. He will be involved in conversations around the squad evolution and the players we want to bring in. He needs to picture in his head how he will weave that player into his plans.

“Mine and Lee [Dykes, technical director]’s job is to do the nuts and bolts of the transfer.

“Thomas might meet the player of his agent at some point because that relationship between player and head coach is key, and we want to establish that almost immediately so that the player knows what to expect before he even comes in.

“But the days of the manager being the person who picks up the phone to an agent or player and effectively doing all the steps of the process has ended - the game is far too complex now.

“It requires a full-time focus on that, which is good because it means head coaches are freed up to deliver in other parts which are more suited to their skillset.”

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.

Programmes can also be delivered directly to your door with a season-long subscription, which can be purchased for £120.

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.

Order online now