After guiding Brentford away from the League One relegation zone and securing a mid-table finish at the end of the 2010–11 season, Nicky Forster was passed over for the full-time manager's job in favour of Uwe Rösler.

[1] Rösler's appointment was part of an overhaul behind the scenes at Griffin Park, with Forster's first team coach Mark Warburton retained by the club and installed in the newly created role of sporting director.

[2][3] Manager Rösler brought in six new players before the beginning of the season – defenders Marcel Eger and Shay Logan, midfielders Jonathan Douglas and Harry Forrester, loan winger Niall McGinn and forward Clayton Donaldson.

[4] Two more players would arrive before the end of the summer transfer window, defender Adam Thompson and forward Mike Grella.

[9] The season proved to be one of transition and the loan signings of left back Jake Bidwell, centre back Harlee Dean and midfielder Adam Forshaw proved to be shrewd,[4] with the trio returning for the 2012–13 season (Bidwell on loan, Dean and Forshaw on permanent transfers) and all playing a major part in Brentford's future success.