Dean Smith, familiar coaching team tasked with saving Leicester from drop
Dean Smith was appointed Leicester City manager on a contract until the end of the season on Monday.
The 52-year-old will lean on the expertise of ex-Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare and Chelsea legend John Terry in his coaching staff as he tries to preserve the Foxes' Premier League status with eight matches remaining.
The pair previously worked under Smith at Aston Villa.
"I'm really happy to have the opportunity to lead the team during these final weeks of the season," Smith told the club website. "The challenge in front of us is clear, but it's one myself and my coaching team have experienced before and, with the quality in this squad and the number of games remaining, it's very much achievable."
Leicester are in the relegation zone, two points adrift of safety, after a run of seven defeats and one draw over their last eight Premier League outings. Their next match is a trip to title-chasing Manchester City on Saturday.
Smith's unveiling follows former Leeds United handler Jesse Marsch reportedly turning down the Leicester job due to reservations over whether his coaching style suits the club and its transfer policy should relegation occur. Rafael Benitez also failed to reach terms on a contract after two meetings with the Leicester hierarchy, according to football insider Fabrizio Romano.
Smith managed Walsall and Brentford - where he gained a reputation for successful squad overhauls and ambitious tactics - before he was hired by his hometown club, Aston Villa. The Villans won promotion from the Championship via the playoffs in Smith's first season at the helm; he then guided the team to the League Cup final the following term before securing an 11th-placed finish in the Premier League in the next campaign.
He was sacked in November 2021 after three years in charge. When Smith departed, the West Midlands outfit sat 17th in the Premier League table with 10 points from 11 games after selling talisman Jack Grealish to Manchester City before the season kicked off.
Smith took over Norwich City eight days after leaving Aston Villa. He failed to keep the Canaries in the top flight and was sacked in December 2022 due to concerns over the team's promotion chances while he was in the dugout. Norwich were positioned fifth in the table when Smith was fired, but with just a three-point gap over 16th. The Norfolk side is currently in eighth spot, one point below the Championship's playoff places.
"Our first job is to rebuild confidence and instill belief in the team, and I'm looking forward to getting to work with the players this week," Smith added on his new role in the East Midlands. "Saturday will be a big test, but it's the kind of occasion that reminds us all what it means to be a Premier League club, competing on the biggest stages against the best players in the world."