Lester joins Brentford to focus on individual development

Rather, he is a replacement for Steven Pressley, who stepped down as Brentford’s Head of Individual Development in May after four years’ service to become Manager of SPL side Dundee.

Head Coach Keith Andrews said: “This is a position we’ve been keen to fill for some time. We’ve discussed the role with Jack during these last few weeks and, as a club, we feel that he is the right person for this job.

“Individual player development is an area we really focus on. We are a club that helps players improve and get to their very highest level, it is part of our ideology.

“We want Jack to bring this area together and build on the impressive work done by Steven Pressley over the past four years.”

Lester left Sheffield United after six years in July. He had been Head of Academy at the Championship club before being promoted to First-Team Coach in 2021, where he worked with Andrews during the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.

At Brentford, Lester’s role will include a focus on individual player development, following his work in the youth set-ups at Notts County, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United, where he developed players across multiple age groups.

Lester also managed Chesterfield in League Two during the 2017/18 season, and was temporarily Wales assistant coach in 2023, alongside his former team-mate Rob Page.

Before moving into coaching, he enjoyed a 20-year professional playing career as a forward, representing Chesterfield, Nottingham Forest, Grimsby Town, Sheffield United, Gateshead and Doncaster Rovers. He made 648 appearances and scored 174 goals, predominantly in the EFL.

Andrews added: “Jack and I worked together at Sheffield United and got on really well – I’ve seen first-hand how he can develop players, and how passionate he is about developing players. His values tie in with what we are as a football club.”