Brentford boss Thomas Frank admitted he was left ‘a bit emotional’ after Ivan Toney’s farewell address to his former team-mates.
The England forward’s move to Saudi side Al-Ahli was confirmed in the early hours of Saturday morning but he was in the stands at GTech stadium to watch the Bees secure a 3-1 Premier League victory over Southampton later in the afternoon.
Frank did not recall Toney shedding any tears but revealed the same was not true for himself.
3 goals, 3 points 💪
Happy days 😁 pic.twitter.com/BsY9weg4zl
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) August 31, 2024
“Even I was a little bit emotional,” said Frank. “I said a few things and then he said something to the players.
“He has been a great player for Brentford, a Brentford legend, and I mean that. When you are in a club like ours and you score 72 goals in 141 games that’s incredible, incredible numbers.
“He’s been on a fantastic journey with us over the last four years. I enjoyed working together with him on and off the pitch.
“I think it says a lot about Ivan that he wanted to come here and say goodbye to his friends and team-mates, staff members and everyone around the team and the club.
“Ivan has been a key player for us, especially the first three years, and then of course there was disruption with the ban and everything.
“I think he’s been one of our best players, if not our best player in that period, consistently with the amount of goals for us and I think we played some fantastic football with him.”
Bryan Mbeumo netted his second and third of Brentford’s league campaign on Saturday afternoon, breaking the scoreless deadlock two minutes before the interval.
Southampton debutant Aaron Ramsdale, immediately slotted into Russell Martin’s line-up the day after his own deadline-day transfer, conceded another to the Cameroon international in the 65th minute.
Four minutes later, Wissa bundled home from a throw-in to add to his own opening-day strike against Crystal Palace.
Saints nevertheless managed to avoid slumping to three successive losses without scoring when Yukinari Sugawara clawed back a consolation deep in second-half stoppage time.
Mathias Jensen and substitute Adam Lallana both added assists, while Frank singled out Mikkel Damsgaard for what he felt was a best-ever effort in a Brentford shirt from his fellow Dane.
Frank felt the team effort was perhaps a hallmark of Brentford’s post-Toney era. Responding to the suggestion that his team may have even performed better, he added: “I think it is credit to the players that they are stepping up.
“What I would give is that when a player goes that is so dominant in many aspects, others will grow.
“No one is the same (as Toney). It’s a little bit of a different dynamic and constellations and relationships, and that will create something for the team.”
Frank also briefly spoke with Ramsdale, a man he characterised as a “great keeper” and told the former Gunner he felt it was a “good move” for him to sign with Southampton.
Ramsdale’s new boss, who remained largely upbeat despite the loss, agreed with his touchline counterpart.
“I thought he was great,” said Martin. “Even in the second half, the ball was getting put back to him too much.
“3-0 definitely the lads lost a little bit of belief, and it’s really difficult with the crowds, when Brentford are in a good place, but he stuck to it.
“He’s going to be amazing. People will fall in love with him very quickly because of who he is, the person he is, how brave he is.
“He’s got a big character, so I think he is going to be a brilliant signing for us.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. PORTUGAL WIN THE UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE ON PENALTIES Nuno Mendes 😎 Anti Right Winger Morata : Me again? Congratulations Portugal & Ronaldo Kepa in Arsenal be like I am sorry. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: BleacherReportFootball, Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball)...
PSG get talks underway with Bournemouth for ZabarnyiFabrizio Romano reports that PSG are determined to sign Ilya Zabarnyi this summer. While talks are underway with Bournemouth, the two clubs have not yet reached an agreement. The player remains keen to join Les Parisiens.Everton join Newcastle in race to sign GrealishEverton are interesting in acquiring the services of Manchester City outcast Jac...
WHAT HAPPENED?Napoli striker Osimhen has reportedly made up his mind on his future, and it seems like it won't include a sensational move to the Middle East. This comes from a scoop from journalist Buchi Laba, who reports that Osimhen has rejected a fifth offer from Saudi side Al-Hilal and would rather continue his career in Europe.THE BIGGER PICTURELaba claims that Osimhen is not interested in a ...
France captain Kylian Mbappe says he is satisfied with his side bouncing back from their Nations League loss to Spain in the third-placed play-off.Les Bleus finished the campaign with a win over Germany, thanks to goals from the Real Madrid star and Michael Olise.And while there was a lot to like about the French performance in Stuttgart, Mbappe took a balanced approach to things in his post-match...
WHAT HAPPENED?The German club have asked to be kept up to date on Sancho's situation, with the Man Utd outcast being touted as a possible replacement for Chelsea target Jamie Gittens, as per Sky Sports. Sancho has already re-joined the club from Manchester United once - a six-month loan spell at the end of last season - and could yet return for a third spell with the German giants. Chelsea paid a ...
Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland celebrates getting promoted back to the Premier LeagueEngland U21 midfielder Jobe Bellingham has agreed terms to leave Sunderland for Borussia Dortmund in a deal reported at around 331 million including add-ons.The Bedlington-born starlet joins the German club on a five-year contract following Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League.Dortmund has reportedly agreed...
Brian Priske has chosen to return to Sparta PragueBrian Priske has returned to Sparta Prague to take up the position as head coach, say the Czech club on their website."We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new head coach. We welcome Brian, who knows the environment in the club. We strongly believe that he will build on the successful work he has delivered in the past and help Sparta w...
Borussia Dortmund keen on signing Jadon SanchoBorussia Dortmund are weighing up a fresh move for Jadon Sancho amid uncertainty over his future at Manchester United.The Bundesliga side have requested to be kept informed about the Englishman’s status at Old Trafford, with the out-of-favour winger seen as a potential replacement for Chelsea-linked Jamie Gittens, according to Sky Sports.Sancho i...
Gravenberch names his 2025 Ballon d'Or favouriteRyan Gravenberch shared his 2025 Ballon d'Or choice, backing his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah to win the prestigious award.The Egypt international was the frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d'Or during the first half of the season, topping both the goals and assists charts in the Premier League.0"That's a tough one, but I'll go for my teammate: Moha...
Uriah RennieUriah Rennie, the first black man to referee in the Premier League, has died at the age of 65.WHAT HAPPENED?In August 1997, Rennie was named as the referee for a Premier League game between Derby County and AFC Wimbledon and made history as the division's first ever black referee. He went on to officiate over 300 top-flight games across 11 years, as well as refereeing domestic cup fina...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Marcus Rashford 'grows close' to stunning semi-pro padel player
- 3 Why Premier League transfer may be off the cards for Victor Osimhen as Man Utd make 'timid' attempts to convince striker
- 4 Chukwueze reveals cause of AC Milan’s ‘disastrous’ season
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 FIFA confirms 34 team base camp training sites in the United States for 2025 Club World Cup, including nine in Florida and five in Calitornia
- 7 Man Utd continue to be linked with Emi Martinez
- 8 Daily Laugh - Morata : Me again?
- 9 Daily Laugh - Mbeumo and his amazing talent
- 10 Liverpool's dream transfer window with six signings including £100m striker