Soccer

Dean Smith set to be appointed Norwich City manager

Ex-Aston Villa boss, who was sacked last week, set to sign deal with last-placed club

Dean Smith is expected to sign a two and half year deal with Norwich. Photograph: Naomi Baker/PA Wire
Dean Smith is expected to sign a two and half year deal with Norwich. Photograph: Naomi Baker/PA Wire
Jacob Steinberg
Sun Nov 14 2021 - 22:32

Norwich City are set to appoint Dean Smith as their new manager. The Premier League's bottom club reached an agreement with Smith after a weekend of negotiations and are expected to announce the deal on Monday.

Norwich have been keen to make a swift appointment after sacking Daniel Farke this month. They have struggled since winning promotion from the Championship last season and will hope that Smith, who is set for a speedy return to management following his sacking by Aston Villa last week, is able to save them from relegation.

Smith, who is poised to sign a 2½-year deal, boasts an impressive CV and has impressed Norwich with his vision for the club during negotiations. The 50-year-old had spells at Brentford and Walsall before being appointed by Villa in October 2018. He made an instant impact at Villa Park, lifting his boyhood club back into the Premier League at the end of his first season.

Promotion

Villa won promotion by beating Derby in the play-off final and Smith led his side to safety in their first season back in the top flight. He then went on to lift them to 11th place last season but he lost his job after making a disappointing start to the current campaign. Villa struggled after selling Jack Grealish to Manchester City and Smith was fired after five successive defeats.

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However, his coaching credentials are not in doubt and Norwich, who are five points below 17th-placed Watford, need someone to rouse them after an awful run of form. They have won only once in the league this season, beating Brentford. Farke was sacked in the immediate aftermath of that win.

Norwich, who also held talks with Frank Lampard last week, will need Smith to stiffen their defence and give them more ideas in attack. They will hope that he brings more out of Billy Gilmour – the Scotland midfielder has made little impact since joining Norwich from Chelsea on loan. Todd Cantwell will also be hoping that Smith brings him back into the fold. The highly rated 23-year-old forward has made only five appearances this season.

– Guardian