Dean Smith agreed terms with Leicester City on a short-term deal until the end of the season on Sunday; the Foxes are currently 19th in the Premier League and two points from safety
Tuesday 11 April 2023 16:18, UK
Leicester City have appointed Dean Smith as manager on a deal until the end of the season, with Craig Shakespeare and John Terry as part of the coaching staff.
Smith, who led Aston Villa to the Premier League in 2019, was sacked as Norwich boss in December. He replaces Brendan Rodgers with Leicester 19th in the Premier League, two points from safety.
Shakespeare was part of the coaching team under Claudio Ranieri when Leicester won the Premier League title in 2016, and then took over as boss when the Italian was sacked the following year.
The new management team's first assignment is a trip to face champions Manchester City, live on Sky Sports at 5.30pm on Saturday.
Smith said: "I'm really happy to have the opportunity to lead the team during these final weeks of the season. 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."
Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: "On behalf of everyone at Leicester City, I'd like to offer Dean a warm welcome to the football club. His leadership, coaching and motivational qualities will be vital assets for us in the coming eight games as we fight to secure our Premier League status.
"We've endured a challenging season, but I have no doubt that we have the quality in our squad to win this fight. Dean's experience will be key to unlocking that potential, helping the team rediscover its confidence and channelling the support of our fans, who will be so important during these final eight games.
"Their support has been the foundation of everything we've achieved in these last 13 years and it will play a vital role once more in this crucial moment in our history. This is a fight we can win, together.
"I ask you to support the team, to fight with them for every goal, to inspire them to create a legacy again for this club. Every fan, every player, all our staff, we need to be behind the team and our new management team. Together we can find success this season."
Jesse Marsch was in advanced talks with Leicester over a potential deal to take charge following Rodgers' exit at the start of April.
The American was one of a number of candidates Leicester spoke to about the vacancy before opting to move forward with Smith.
Rodgers had been in charge for four years and helped Leicester lift the FA Cup for the first time in their history in 2021, while he previously guided the side to back-to-back fifth-placed finishes.
But he left with the Foxes in the relegation zone after a run of six defeats and one draw in seven games.
Leicester lost at home to Bournemouth - another side in relegation trouble - on Saturday with Mike Stowell and Adam Sadler in temporary charge.
Sky Sports' Alan Smith?
"Over the last few weeks, Leicester have been struggling but I never actually thought they would go down.
"The manner of the defeat to Bournemouth means you really do start to worry. I'm happy with the Dean Smith appointment and with Craig Shakespeare bringing a lot of experience of the club.
"He's a good coach and the players will respect him. With John Terry as well, it's a good trio who all know each other.
"Hopefully, Smith can bring about an upturn in results and attitude to ease them away from the bottom three.
"With the quality of the squad under Brendan Rodgers, they should never have been where they are but sometimes it happens when things go flat and players get fed up of hearing the same voice.
"As good a coach as Brendan is, there needed to be a change. They've had a problem with scoring with the likes of Jamie Vardy coming to the end of his career, Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka haven't been consistent.
"Defensively, they've got to build a platform by keeping clean sheets. That's the first port of call to easing away from danger.
"Having a different approach and having different sessions sound like a small thing but it can make a huge difference. They've got plenty of talent to work with and they have to turn things around fairly sharpish.
"What is in Leicester's favour is that it's still very compact at the bottom. It's not as if Leicester are detached from the other teams down there."
April 15: Man City (A) - Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
April 22: Wolves (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
April 25: Leeds (H) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm
May 1: Everton (H) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
May 8: Fulham (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 13: Liverpool (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 20: Newcastle (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 28: West Ham (H) - Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
