An announcement could be made in the next 48 hours
Former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith is set to be appointed as the new Norwich City manager, with an announcement expected in the next 48 hours, reports The Athletic.
The Canaries have offered Smith the role of head coach after Frank Lampard turned down the role on Friday (12th November) with his former assistant manager at Villa, Craig Shakespeare, expected to link up with him as his number two once again.
Dean Smith has been offered the job as Norwich City head coach.
He was offered it last night. Craig Shakespeare would be his No2.
Norwich expecting to announce it all within the next 48hrs.
W/@David_Ornstein #NCFC @TheAthleticUK #AVFC https://t.co/uWD6oQ3qzn
— Michael Bailey (@michaeljbailey) November 13, 2021
It marks a quick return to management for the 50-year-old, who was sacked as Villa boss following a run of five successive defeats, the final of those being a 1-0 defeat to Southampton, which left the West Midlands club two points above the relegation zone.
It’s believed that Norwich opted to make the former Brentford and Walsall boss their number one target due to his vast knowledge of the top-flight, where he managed to get Villa promoted to and survive both seasons under his management.
Whilst his job at Villa Park was to look at challenging in the top half of the table, his task will be plain and simple: try and keep Norwich in the Premier League.
Until their last game, Norwich were without a win in the league until they beat Brentford 2-1, but it wasn’t enough to keep Daniel Farke in the job.
The Canaries find themselves five points adrift of safety, with Smith’s first priority to close the gap and restore harmony to the side after key players such as Billy Gilmour and Todd Cantwell were phased out of the first team towards the end of Farke’s tenure.
Smith’s first game will be against the side that ended his tenure at his boyhood club, with a must-win home game against Southampton.
With the first win of the season finally under their belts, momentum could be pivotal for Norwich and a new manager bounce may be exactly what they need to kickstart their season properly.
Related links:
- Frank Lampard rejects Norwich City job offer
- Norwich sack Daniel Farke despite win over Brentford
- Dean Smith sacked by Aston Villa
