Relegation-facing Leicester City appoints Dean Smith as manager

Dean Smith takes over from Brendan Rodgers, who left Leicester City by mutual consent earlier this month with the team second-bottom in the table and facing potential relegation.

FILE PHOTO: Dean Smith has been appointed as the new manager of Premier League club Leicester City. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Leicester City has named ex-Aston Villa and Norwich City boss Dean Smith as caretaker manager until the end of the season after parting ways with Brendan Rodgers, the Premier League club said on Monday.

Smith takes over from Rodgers, who left the club by mutual consent earlier this month with the team second-bottom in the table and facing potential relegation.

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

“Smith brings a wealth of managerial experience and expertise to the role and, along with his coaching team, will be tasked with helping the football club retain its Premier League status as we head into the final eight games of the current season,” Leicester said in a statement.

Leicester won the Premier League title in 2015-16 against all odds but is now in danger of the drop after nine seasons in the top flight.

Smith’s appointment comes in the wake of Leicester’s 1-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, its 19th league defeat of the season. The East Midlands club has 25 points after 30 games, two points adrift of the safety zone.

“I’m really happy to have the opportunity to lead the team during these final weeks of the season,” Dean Smith said.

“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.