After a swarm of rumours this week, Aston Villa have announced that Dean Smith will take over as Head Coach of Aston Villa. He will be joined by John Terry as an assistant coach. Former Valencia and Real Zaragoza director Jesús García Pitarch joins as Director of Football.
Aston Villa Appoint Dean Smith and John Terry
We are delighted to announce the appointments of Dean Smith as our new Head Coach, John Terry as Assistant Coach and Jesus Garcia Pitarch as Sporting Director ✍️
Full story ? https://t.co/gNj5QrSa7c#OneOfOurOwn #AVFC pic.twitter.com/HUPSQ8BiDz
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) 10 October 2018
Smith Joins From Brentford
Appointing Dean Smith is a move that will excite many Villa fans. He oversaw three top-ten finishes in the Championship as Brentford manager. More impressively, he did so with an attractive, attacking style of football. He is also a lifelong Villa fan, which will earn him some time with the Villa Park faithful.
Aside from his tactical acumen, Smith has shown impressive man-management skills while at Brentford. After Smith signed Romaine Sawyers from his former club Walsall, Sawyers was jeered by fans after some poor performances. However, Smith stuck by him and publicly declared his support. Sawyers went on to be a crucial player for Brentford in 2017/18 season.
After rumours linking him and Thierry Henry to the role this week, John Terry has been appointed as Smith’s assistant coach. He captained the club last year in his final season as a professional, where they reached the play-off final. This is an astute move by Terry. He can take his first steps into professional coaching without the pressure of being the main man and gain valuable experience under the young and ambitious Smith.
Jesús García Pitarch arrives, as Sporting Director, with some impressive experience. Whilst at Valencia they lifted the La Liga title and the UEFA Cup, and at Atletico, they won the Europa League. He also helped finalise the signings of Diego Forlán and José Antonio Reyes at Valencia. Aston Villa CEO Christian Purslow has welcomed García Pitarch’s appointment. “[Pitarch] will ensure the club has an integrated approach running from the academy through the U23s and into the first-team.”
Smith and Terry will hope for a quick upturn in Villa’s fortunes. They currently are struggling down in 15th in the Championship and have won once in their last eight games across all competitions.
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