Dean Smith is on the BRINK of becoming Norwich’s new boss after agreeing a two-and-a-half-year deal… with ex-Aston Villa manager set to take charge ahead of Southampton clash
- Dean Smith is set to be confirmed as the new Norwich City boss imminently
- The 50-year-old was sacked by boyhood club Aston Villa last weekend
- Ex-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard held Norwich talks but pulled out of the race
- Smith was offered the role on Friday and is ready to keep the Canaries up
Dean Smith is to be confirmed as manager of Norwich City after declaring he was ready to take on the challenge of keeping them in the Premier League.
The 50-year old was always considered Norwich’s number one candidate though there were reservations that he would require an extended break following his sacking by Aston Villa last Sunday, November 7.
However, Smith, who has been visiting family in New York, made it clear he wanted to make a swift return and agreed terms on Saturday.
Dean Smith is set to be confirmed as Norwich boss just a week after his Aston Villa exit
Daniel Farke was dismissed on November 6 with the club five points adrift of top-flight safety
He will sign an initial two and a half year contract and hopes to have the steady experience of Craig Shakespeare alongside him as his assistant.
Former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard withdrew from the race to become Norwich’s new boss last week as it became clear Smith was the preferred candidate to replace Daniel Farke after an ‘extremely impressive’ interview.
Smith spoke to Norwich in the week and was offered the job on Friday evening. Smith, who was sacked following Villa’s defeat to Southampton, will face Saints again in his first game in charge.
Frank Lampard was initially a contender for the job but soon pulled his name out of contention
After impressing Norwich chiefs, Smith is currently in New York City to spend time with family
Norwich are bottom of the table after gaining just five points from 11 games and Smith will look to revitalise the form of young midfielders Todd Cantwell and Chelsea loanee Billy Gilmour who had been left out in recent weeks.
Smith boasts vast experience of the lower leagues after spells with Brentford and Walsall and made an instant impact after being appointed Villa boss in October 2018, lifting his boyhood club back into the Premier League at the end of his first season. He kept them up in his first season in the top flight before securing an 11th-placed finish last term.
Smith was replaced at Villa by Steven Gerrard last week and the two will come face to face on December 14 when Norwich play Villa. Smith will be hoping to breathe a defensive solidity into his new squad by then.