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Leicester confirm appointment of Dean Smith as interim manager.
Leicester City have announced the appointment of Dean Smith as interim manager until the end of the season.
Smith, who previously worked with both coaches at Aston Villa, Craig Shakespeare and John Terry, arrives at the King Power Stadium with the mission of assisting the team in avoiding relegation.
The Foxes fired Brendan Rodgers on April 1 after their 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace. The team is now in 19th place in the standings, two points outside of safety.
“I’m really happy to have the opportunity to lead the team during these final weeks of the season,,” Smith told Leicester’s official website, having taken over a side who have picked up just one point from the last 24 available.
“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.
“Our first job is to rebuild confidence and instil belief in the team and I’m looking forward to getting to work with the players this week. 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. I know we’ll be well supported by our travelling fans. We have to connect with that and give them a performance they can be proud of. We go there positive, looking for points.”
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dean Smith as the Club’s First Team Manager until the end of the 22/23 season 🔷
— Leicester City (@LCFC) April 10, 2023
In two games as caretaker managers, first-team coaches Adam Sadler and Mike Stowell oversaw defeats to Villa and Bournemouth. Both will stay at the club as a member of Smith’s coaching staff.
Though Smith’s deal currently runs until the end of the season, According to report earlier on Monday that an extension will be discussed in the summer should Leicester be impressed with the work of the former Norwich City boss and his coaching staff.
Smith’s first task is an unfriendly journey to Manchester City on Saturday night, followed by a stretch of three straight games against teams fighting for their playoff lives: Wolves, Leeds United, and Everton.