Thomas Frank’s appointment as Brentford head coach was seen as a formality according to the club’s board.

Brentford’s unique management structure made the appointment of Dean Smith’s successor seamless, with Frank fitting ‘like a cog in a machine’ according to Directors of Football Rasmus Ankersen and Phil Giles.

"Ras and I have used Dean's departure as a chance to pause and review what we need to add to the coaching staff to keep moving forward.

"We feel the club is in a good place and we don't think it is time for big changes,” said Giles.

"Thomas knows the club's strategy inside out and he is both respected and supported by players and staff at the training ground," said Ankersen.

"He has played a major role in the development of our style of play over the past couple of years and we believe he is ready for the job as Head Coach."

The Dane succeeds Smith who left for boyhood club Aston Villa on October 10, taking his assistant Richard O’Kelly with him shortly after.

The 47-year-old took training the day after Smith’s departure and was in line to sit in the dugout for Brentford’s home match against Bristol on October 20 prior to his promotion to head coach.

Frank’s promotion from assistant coach, a position he held since August 2016, was foreseen by Ankersen and Giles as his appointment two years ago was to safeguard the club should their head coach get his head turned.

“When we appointed Dean and Richard the original idea was to have three coaches around the first team – Dean and Richard, and one who would represent the club,” said Ankersen.

"You don't want to make yourself too vulnerable. If Dean and Richard get head-hunted somewhere else you want stability and continuity, and someone to carry on the philosophy that the club is built on."

Those outside of the Brentford network won’t know too much about Frank and his previous roles.

Having worked closely in the youth ranks in his native Denmark, his biggest achievement was taking the under 17 national side to the semi-finals of the 2011 European Championships.

He also coached the under 19 and 20s national side before being offered the managerial job at Brondby in 2013.

He led the side to two Europa League Qualifications in his first two seasons before his time came to an unceremonious end as the club chairman Jan Bech Anderson posted criticism of Frank on an online fan's forum under a pseudonym using his son’s account. Despite an apology, Frank opted to leave and joined Brentford soon after.

Brentford currently sit seventh in the Championship as they welcome 13th placed Bristol City to Griffin Park this Saturday.