NEW Brentford boss Lee Carsley has been praised by chairman Cliff Crown after he was appointed following the sacking of Marinus Dijkhuizen.
Dijkhuizen has taken charge of just nine matches since arriving and leaves the club 19th in the Sky Bet Championship with two wins. The Dutchman's assistant Roy Hendriksen has also left Griffin Park, with development squad coach Carsley promoted from within.
Brentford recruited former Excelsior manager Dijkhuizen in the summer following the controversial departure of Mark Warburton. Warburton had steered the club to promotion from League One and into the Championship play-offs at the first attempt, but left due to differences with owner Matthew Benham over the future direction of the team.
Ex-Everton midfielder Carsley, 41, has been selected as Dijkhuizen's successor and Crown explained the reasoning behind the decision.
"As you will all know by now, the club, Marinus Dijkhuizen and his assistant Roy Hendriksen have parted company," he said.
"The club would like to put on record its thanks to Marinus and Roy for all their efforts during their time at Griffin Park. Following this, the club has moved swiftly and decisively in order to maintain its long-term vision and philosophy.
"That's why Lee Carsley has been appointed as head coach for the remainder of the season. Lee has shown with the U21s he is an outstanding leader. His work at the training ground has been hugely impressive whilst coaching the development squad and has demonstrated he understands the club's philosophy and the ambitions of Brentford FC.
"We believe these qualities will help Lee settle into his new role effectively and quickly. Rest assured, we are determined to do everything possible to achieve the success you, the supporters, desire. Lee's appointment, at this time, is key to that and we will be doing everything in our power to support him and the rest of the staff."
Carsley, whose previous coaching positions came at Coventry and Sheffield United, will lead the side for the first time against Birmingham on Tuesday night.
