With Dean Smith's departure to Aston Villa late on Wednesday evening, many Brentford fans will be disappointed to see their manager leave the club after an impressive season so far. 

The Bees currently sit 7th in the Championship table, just one point outside of the play-off positions, but are on a poor run of form, having not one any of their last five league matches.

Brentford will be hoping to have a new man in the managerial hot seat before they return to league action in a tough match at home to Bristol City.

The new boss would inherit a squad that certainly has the ability to be fighting for a top six spot, which they have shown they can already achieve after they were defeated in their play-off semi-final against Middlesbrough in May 2015.

But what managerial candidates should Brentford be looking at as a replacement to Smith?

Find out here....

Frank was Dean Smith's assistant and hasn't moved with Smith to Villa due to John Terry being announced as assistant manager at Villa Park.

Frank would be a good replacement for Smith due to his knowledge of the club already, having been at the club since 2016.

The former Swansea manager hasn't had a job in football since he his side's relegation in May of last season.

Carvalhal has previously managed in the Championship, as he was in charge at Sheffield Wednesday during a two-year-spell with the Owls.

His most notable achievement was guiding Sheffield Wednesday to the play-offs on two occasions during his time at the club.

Lambert has been out of work since the summer after he couldn't save Stoke City from relegation from the Premier League.

The 49-year-old does have experience in the Championship having managed Blackburn Rovers and Wolves in his managerial career.

Lambert might be tempted to take over the reigns at a Brentford side that are likely to be challenging for the play-off positions this season.