Former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith is in talks to take over at Leicester City on an interim basis, reports The Athletic.
Smith’s managerial career began in 2011 with Walsall. He spent just under five years with the Saddlers before departing for Brentford, who were in the Championship at the time.
During his three-year stint at the London outfit, he achieved three top-ten finishes. This prompted boyhood club Aston Villa to poach him in their pursuit of a return to the Premier League.
It was at Villa Park where he enjoyed the most successful stage of his career. In his first season with the Villans, he took them back up via the play-offs, defeating Derby County in the final.
He then managed to guide them to safety in his debut campaign in the top flight, avoiding the drop by just one point while also reaching the Carabao Cup final. They finished in 11th place the following season.
However, his spell at the Midlands club ended in November 2021, having picked up just ten points from his opening 11 league games.
Later that month, Smith was appointed as Daniel Farke’s replacement at Norwich City, who departed after four years in charge. The Englishman was unable to turn the Canaries’ fortunes around, and they were relegated.
The 52-year-old left Carrow Road back in December, with the club in fifth place. He has been out of work since.
But he could be set for a return to management. According to The Athletic, Leicester are in advanced talks to appoint Smith as interim boss.
It’s been a difficult season for the Foxes. Having finished inside the top half of the table in each of their last five seasons, they are now in 19th place with eight games remaining.
Leicester’s next manager has an almighty task to turn their form around. They have won none and lost eight of their last nine in all competitions, scoring just five goals in that time.
This run includes defeats to fellow strugglers Southampton, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, as well as an FA Cup home loss to second-tier Blackburn Rovers.
Coming up for the Midlands side is a trip to title-chasing Manchester City. This is followed by three potentially decisive fixtures against relegation battlers Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United and Everton.
