LONDON: Premier League bottom club Norwich have appointment Dean Smith – sacked eight days earlier by Aston Villa – as new manager in succession to sacked Daniel Farke.

He has signed two-and-a-half-year contract and will be joined by assistant head coach Craig Shakespeare.

Smith guided Aston Villa to promotion from the second tier during his first season in charge, before two successful campaigns in the Premier League.

He also steered Villa to the 2019-20 League Cup final, ultimately losing out to Manchester City at Wembley. The former Brentford and Walsall manager was sacked by Villa after five successive league defeats pushed them down towards the relegation zone.

Shakespeare was part of Smith’s staff at Aston Villa. Earlier he held backroom positions with West Bromwich Albion, Hull City, Leicester City, Everton and Watford.

Smith said: “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.

“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.”

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