Dean Smith has returned to professional coaching barely 8 days after Aston Villa sacked him due to a poor run of games. He has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Norwich City.
Recall that Dean Smith struggled at Aston Villa this season to the extend he recorded 7 defeats, 1 draw, and just three wins in 11 games. These poor stats pushed Villa down to the 16th spot with 10 points, two points away from the relegation zone.
Smith got the sack after Southampton defeated Villa 1-0 away from home on November 5. Aston Villa have replaced him with former Liverpool midfielder and ex-Rangers coach, Steven Gerrard.
Even though Aston Villa allowed Dean Smith to go because the club felt the English tactician does not have all it takes to keep the club in the Premier League, Norwich City who are sitting at the bottom of the league table feel Smith can keep them in the league.
So far this season, Norwich City have recorded 8 defeats, 2 draws, and only one win. Hour after Norwich beat Brentford 1-2 on November 6 to record their first league win this season, the club decided to sack coach Daniel Farke.
Since then, the club has been hunting for a new coach that has the potential to prevent the club from being relegated. During their hunt, former Chelsea coach Frank Lampard and Dean Smith became the frontrunners for the job.
Fortunately for Smith, Lampard bowed out of the race, reportedly saying that the job was not right for him at this point in his managerial career.
Hence, Norwich City had to appoint Smith alongside assistant coach Craig Shakespeare who worked under Smith at Aston Villa.
“It has been a whirlwind seven days, but I’m really pleased to be back and working for Norwich City in the Premier League,” said Smith.
“Clearly, there has been some wonderful work that has gone into this football club over the last four-and-a-half years. It is now the job of myself and Craig to continue and improve on that work with the ultimate aim of surviving in the Premier League.
“Norwich City is a big club, with a massive hardcore of supporters who are fully understanding in what it means to be part of the club and its community.
“I was brought up in an era when Norwich were competing in Europe – I remember those times well and whenever I’ve visited Carrow Road and Norwich you can really sense the connection between the fans, staff, and players.
“Together, we all have to make Carrow Road a really tough place for visiting teams.”
While Norwich City sporting director Stuart Webber said: “Dean has an outstanding track record and as soon as he made it clear that he was ready to go straight back into a managerial role we contacted him immediately.
“He shares the same values and vision as the club, has a proven track record of winning games in the Premier League as well as developing players and building a winning culture and mentality.
“In Craig Shakespeare, we have secured an assistant head coach with an outstanding reputation and vast experience within the game. We are delighted that Craig has agreed to join our new team.
“We look forward to working with Dean and Craig and building on the outstanding work which has been achieved at this club in the last few years.
“There are huge challenges ahead, but we are excited and determined to see how far we can continue to grow as a club on and off the pitch.”
Ready for the new challenge! 👊#NCFC pic.twitter.com/nLOiNHF98I
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) November 15, 2021
Dean Smith’s first game in charge of Norwich City is against Southampton, the same club he played against before he was sacked at Aston Villa. The Premier League game is scheduled to kick off at 16:00 on Saturday, November 20.
Dean will be joined in the dugout by his assistant head coach Craig Shakespeare, formerly of Leicester City, Everton and Aston Villa.#NCFC pic.twitter.com/lAh7rj878j
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) November 15, 2021
