Keith Andrews has hit back at suggestions his Brentford predecessor Thomas Frank was out of his depth at Tottenham, saying: "I don't know what goes on at Spurs."
Frank was sacked on Wednesday, just eight months after he arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, after a damaging 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle United.
His departure comes with Spurs rooted in 16th place in the Premier League, only five points clear of the relegation zone, following an eight-match winless run (four draws, four losses).
Frank averaged just 1.12 points per game in the Premier League with Spurs (29 points in 26 matches), the lowest rate of any boss to oversee at least five games with them.
But Spurs' struggles predated Frank's reign, with Ange Postecoglou overseeing a 17th-placed finish last season, even though the Australian won the Europa League to end their long trophy drought.
Since the start of last season, only Wolves (39) have suffered more Premier League defeats than Tottenham (31), with West Ham the only other club to lose at least 30 times (31).
Speaking ahead of Brentford's meeting with Arsenal on Thursday, Andrews – who took the reins after spending one year as Frank's set-piece coach – was asked what he thought of suggestions the Tottenham job was too big for Frank.
He replied: "No. Not for me. I must be really, really honest right now and say I don't know what goes on at Spurs.
"I've got a really busy job myself, and my absolute focus, since day one, has been on this job. But is that comment fair? Absolutely not.
"Thomas is a really good manager, and he proved that here over several years. He's a good man with good values that intertwined with those of this club.
"There's a culture that was built long before I arrived, and that's something I've wanted to keep intact and enhance if possible."
Brentford sit seventh in the table ahead of Thursday's game and could leapfrog Liverpool to move into the top six, depending on the Reds' result against Sunderland on Wednesday.
The Bees are eight points and nine places clear of Spurs in the table, having also punched above their weight consistently throughout Frank's seven-year reign.
Asked if he had made contact with Frank since his dismissal, Andrews said: "No, not yet, but, of course, I have huge empathy for him and feel for him and his staff, many of whom I know and worked with.
"I heard when I was in the meeting room, getting ready to present to the players ahead of Arsenal. It's very sad, really, that was my initial feeling. Thomas is a friend.
"I'm very aware of the football industry that we work in, and what happens there, but my initial feeling was one of sadness. I'm sure he'll be okay, but it's a tough day for him."