Former Aston Villa, Norwich City and Leicester City head coach Dean Smith has been approached by Stoke City over potentially taking up the vacant managerial position. The Potters announced on Sunday evening that head coach Alex Neil was relived of his duties following a run of four-straight defeats in the Championship which has left Stoke just above the relegation zone by a mere point.
Three of the team’s last four defeats have been against sides competing to stay in England’s second-tier, including Plymouth Argyle, Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday. Nevertheless, it was the defeat at home to Wednesday on Saturday which was the final nail in Neil’s coffin. The result left Stoke City just two points above the relegation zone, with games against Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion and Millwall still to come
QPR, Sheffield Wednesday, and Huddersfield Town have all changed managers in recent months, and the Potters decided to act before things got worse on the field.
Meanwhile, ex-Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End player Paul Gallagher has been appointed manager while the board searches for a new manager to lead the team forward.
According to Football Insider, Stoke City have begun talks with Dean Smith, who previously managed Leicester City and led the Foxes to relegation from the Premier League the previous season, despite the fact that the club appeared doomed prior to his appointment.
Smith had a solid record in the Championship, helping Aston Villa back to the top flight before re-establishing their status twice, and his last job in the second tier was with Norwich City before being sacked in favor of David Wagner.
According to the report, Smith is open to becoming the next manager at the Bet365 Stadium
Stoke would make an excellent choice in this case. Smith is a Championship-experienced manager who has a track record of not only achieving promotion to the Premier League but also of gradually building a squad capable of doing so.
Right now, Stoke City will want to avoid relegation and potentially kick on and finish in the top half next season, which will likely be Smith’s requirement.
