Norwich City have confirmed the appointment of Dean Smith as their new manager.
Smith was only sacked from his post at Aston Villa eight days ago but has moved quickly to secure his next job in management with the Canaries.
Norwich had narrowed their search down to both Smith and Frank Lampard, but with the latter ruling himself out of the running last week, the former Villa boss has put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
Despite earning their first league win of the season before the international break, with a 2-1 victory at Brentford, previous manager Daniel Farke was relieved of his duties over a week ago following a poor start to the season.
After over three years in charge of his boyhood club Villa, Smith saw his three-year stay in the West Midlands come to an end thanks to a run of five consecutive league defeats.
Smith enjoyed a predominantly successful time of it at Villa Park, earning promotion via the play-offs in his first season in the dugout.
He then guided them to safety by the skin of their teeth, before a much more promising 11 th placed finish last time out.
The 50-year-old will bring his new side to face Leeds United at Elland Road on March 12, which will be his fifth meeting with Marcelo Bielsa as a manager.
Bielsa so far has enjoyed the better of their clashes, winning twice, including Leeds’ 3-0 victory at Villa Park during the early stages of last season.
