Van den Berg: Milambo, 'impressive' coaching staff and pre-season | OneFootball

Defender Sepp van den Berg has spoken about Brentford’s pre-season preparations under head coach Keith Andrews and the club's coaching staff.

The west Londoners are undertaking a 10-day Portugal training camp and drew 1-1 against Primeira Liga side Gil Vicente on Friday evening.

Upon returning to England, the Bees will take on local rivals Queens Park Rangers away from home and welcome Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach to Gtech Community Stadium before beginning the 2025/26 Premier League campaign at Nottingham Forest.

On working with the new coaching staff, the 23-year old said: “It’s been different, of course. There’s a new manager with Keith coming in but it’s been good.

“It’s not a big change but there are two new faces [first-team coaches Mehmet Ali and Martin Drury]. They’ve been very impressive so far.

“There have been some little tweaks here and there with the playing style but nothing major.

“I think we’re a very good group as players together so we’re enjoying the hard work. You have to embrace it and enjoy it.

“Training has been hard, and the weather has been nice, so I think it’s everything you can ask for.”

Brentford’s training camp in Portugal has also provided valuable time for summer signings Caoimhín Kelleher, Antoni Milambo and Jordan Henderson to get to know the group, alongside a number of Brentford B players who have also travelled with the squad.

“There’s been some new faces with the players as well,” he continued.

“It’s very nice for them to get integrated into the group. The guys that have come in are quality.

“Of course, I knew two of them [Kelleher and Henderson] from before at Liverpool. Antoni [Milambo] actually played with my little brother [Middlesbrough defender Rav van den Berg], so I heard about him.

“They were in the Under-21s together at the Euros [UEFA European Under-21 Championship]. My brother came back to me and said that he’s a nice guy and a very good player. When I heard he was joining, I was happy.

“He’s been doing very well. One Dutchman leaving [Mark Flekken to Bayer Leverkusen] and another one coming back is very nice for me!”

The centre-back added: “They’re very impressive and I have to say the young guys coming in for training have been very good.

“For those guys, it’s just nice to be in and around the team, and to get to know everyone.”