Premier League side Norwich City have appointed Dean Smith as their new manager on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
The 50-year-old has made a swift return to the dugout just a week after he was sacked by Aston Villa.
Smith replaces Daniel Farke, who was also axed last weekend despite overseeing Norwich’s first win of the season, at Brentford.
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Farke’s spell in charge was ultimately ended by his side’s chastening 7-0 hammering at Chelsea on October 23, even though he remained in the job for a further two matches.
Norwich turned their attention to Smith after former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard withdrew from the running.
Smith lost his job at Villa after five straight Premier League defeats, with
the Birmingham club’s last victory coming on September 25 at Manchester United.
Norwich lie bottom of the table, five points from safety after 11 matches.
Smith’s first game in charge will be against Southampton at Carrow Road on Saturday. Southampton were also the opponents for his last match in charge of Villa, losing 1-0 at St Mary’s.
Smith told the club’s website: “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 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.
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
“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.”
Sporting director Stuart Webber added: “We are delighted to have appointed Dean as our new head coach. I have admired his work for some time and he has been a long-term target in the event that we needed to appoint a new head coach.
“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.”
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