EPL: Norwich Appoint Dean Smith As New Manager

Struggling Premier League side, Norwich have appointed Dean Smith as their new manager, on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Naija News reports that Smith, who was sacked last week by boyhood club Aston Villa, replaces Daniel Farke, who was also booted out of Carrow Road.

Smith and Frank Lampard were understood to be in a two-horse race to take charge at Carrow Road, but the latter withdrew from the running as he did not feel the job was right for him at this stage of his career.

In a statement on its website on Monday, Norwich said Smith was appointed due to his wealth of experience and football philosophy.

The statement added that his assistant at Villa, Craig Shakespeare has also been appointed to help Smith in ensuring that the club stays in the league.

It reads in parts: “Most recently manager of fellow Premier League side Aston Villa, Smith brings a wealth of experience to Norwich City.

“At Aston Villa, he helped guide the club to promotion from the Championship during his first season in charge, before two successful campaigns in the Premier League followed.

“Smith also steered Villa to the 2019/20 League Cup final, ultimately losing out to Manchester City at Wembley.

“Prior to his spell at Villa Park, Smith had held managerial positions at Brentford and Walsall.

“Shakespeare, meanwhile, was part of Smith’s staff at Aston Villa. Prior to that, he has held backroom positions with the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Hull City, Leicester City, Everton and Watford.”

Also speaking about his new job, Smith said:  “It has been a whirlwind seven days, but I’m really pleased to be back and working for Norwich City in the Premier League.

“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.

“From the age of 16 I’ve been working in football. I think in that time I’ve had four months out and didn’t enjoy it. It’s great to get straight back in with a club that are determined to be progressive.

“I’ve always worked to improve and develop players – with that obviously comes improved performances. I was really impressed with the idea, structure and vision that is already in place at the club.

“I’ve also been really impressed with the work Stuart has done at both Huddersfield and Norwich and he is someone I’ve known of for a while. A lot of my background has been working with sporting directors at both Brentford and Aston Villa. It’s an important relationship and I’m sure we’ll work well together here.”

This article was originally published on Naija News