Stephen Rice leaves FAI to join Keith Andrews' Brentford

RICE, RICE, BABY: Stephen Rice has joined Brentford as first-team set-piece coach. Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Stephen Rice has joined Brentford as first-team set-piece coach.

Rice arrives at the club having spent time with the Irish Football Association as Republic of Ireland Under-21s assistant coach, which he took up after roles as chief scout and opposition analyst.

A spell as Crystal Palace Under-23s senior professional development coach came after a previous stint with the FAI, where he spent a decade as a football development coach and coach education tutor.

The former midfielder’s 17-year playing career was predominantly spent in Ireland, after time with Coventry City as a teenager.

On the appointment, Brentford head coach Keith Andrews said: “We’re delighted to get Stephen on board.

“The process to appoint the set-piece coach was very thorough - we interviewed people of different nationalities, of different levels of experience, and in different roles.

“Stephen is someone that I’ve known a long time, we were on our Pro License together, and I was a big part of bringing him into the Irish set-up when I was assistant manager and he was with Palace. He had a particular focus on set-pieces in that role.

“He’s a detail-oriented coach, who is very passionate and has a phenomenal work ethic. I’m very pleased he is with us.”

Ireland U-21 Head Coach Jim Crawford added: "Stephen has been an outstanding member of our coaching staff and has made an important contribution since joining the U-21s setup.

"He leaves with our sincere thanks for his hard work and dedication and we wish him all the very best for the future."