Paul Williams has left Brentford Football Club to take up a First Team coaching position at Nottingham Forest. The former England Under 21 international joined Brentford in the summer as Logistics Manager. When Lee Carsley took over as Head Coach on an interim basis in September Paul stepped up to assist him and the pair worked closely as Brentford climbed the Sky Bet Championship table.

Paul – who had a lengthy playing career with Derby County, Coventry City and Southampton among others – spent the early part of this month in Florida coaching England’s Under 16 squad, a role he took on earlier this year. When Dean Smith took over as Brentford Head Coach, Paul was offered a new role. But he has decided to take a job at Nottingham Forest.

Phil Giles, Brentford FC Co-Director of Football, said: "When Paul returned last week from his coaching duties with the England Under 16 team, we had a good conversation about his ongoing work at Brentford. We offered Paul a coaching role alongside Kevin O'Connor with our Development Squad and he began in that role towards the end of last week.

"Understandably, the success of Paul and Lee Carsley whilst in charge of our First Team attracted the interest of other clubs. Paul was keen to explore the other options available to him, in particular the opportunity to continue to work at First Team level in the Championship.

"While we are disappointed to lose such a talented coach, Paul leaves with our thanks for a good job done this season, and in his previous role as our Logistics Manager. He will be warmly welcome back to Griffin Park in future, and we look forward to our visit to The City Ground in April."