Leicester City have confirmed the appointment of Dean Smith as their manager until the end of the season.
The Foxes dismissed Brendan Rodgers as they look to fight off Premier League relegation. Leicester currently sit in 19th place in the table.
The club confirmed Smith's appointment, alongside ex-England captain John Terry, who he previously worked with at Aston Villa.
Craig Shakespeare also returns to the Leicester City dugout. He saw off the threat of relegation when the Foxes were in peril in 2017, as well as taking the club to a UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final.
City’s current First Team Coaches Adam Sadler and Mike Stowell will also be on hand to help Smith oversee the final eight fixtures of the league campaign.
Smith told Leicester City's official club website: 'I’m really happy to have the opportunity to lead the team during these final weeks of the season.
'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.
'Our first job is to rebuild confidence and instil belief in the team and I’m looking forward to getting to work with the players this week.'
Smith's first match in charge is a tricky trip to Manchester City at the weekend, who are in the hunt for a treble this season.
'Saturday will be a big test, but it’s the kind of occasion that reminds us all what it means to be a Premier League club, competing on the biggest stages against the best players in the world,' Smith said.
'I know we’ll be well supported by our travelling fans. We have to connect with that and give them a performance they can be proud of. We go there positive, looking for points.'
Leicester City Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha accepted that the club had 'endured a challenging season', but Smith's arrival would be critical to keeping the club in the top-flight of English football.
He added: 'His leadership, coaching and motivational qualities will be vital assets for us in the coming eight games as we fight to secure our Premier League status.'
The club confirmed that Smith will meet the First Team squad and take training on Tuesday, ahead of the trip to Manchester City on Saturday.
Smith has over 600 games of experience as a football manager, previously in charge of Walsall, Aston Villa and Brentford among others. His last job was a 13-month stint with Norwich City, which ended when he was fired in December 2022.
Ex-Chelsea defender Terry was part of Smith's staff at Aston Villa from 2018 to 2021, before leaving the Villains ahead of the start of Smith's final campaign at the club.
More to follow...
