Former Aston Villa Head Coach Dean Smith odds on favourite to become new Norwich City manager

Former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith looks to be edging closer to a return to management less than a week after he was given his marching orders from Villa Park.

According to Sky Sports, Premier League strugglers Norwich City identified Smith as their number one target following his dismissal from Villa and are now expected to offer him the role ‘in the next few days.’

Up until early Friday morning, the reports were that Frank Lampard would be the man to move into the dugout at Carrow Road - joining former on field rival Steven Gerrard in the Premier League management game.

But Lampard, for reasons that are not yet confirmed, pulled out of the running - leaving the door open for Smith for a swift return to work.

It will be an extremely tough role for the boyhood Villan to take up. Most that take the Norwich gig do so with the knowledge that there is a huge possibility that they will end up with a relegation on their CV - something that to date, Smith has managed to avoid.

The luxury of the backing he received at Villa Park certainly won’t be there, either.

Whilst both Norwich and Villa have very clear philosophies when it comes to running a football club - they are highly contrasting.

In his three years in the west midlands, Smith was afforded over £300m to spend on transfers. Granted, some of that did come from sales but it’s still a ridiculous amount of money.

The Canaries on the other hand have spent around £80m - well under a third less.

Daniel Farke was afforded his largest sum to date during the summer, which does perhaps sway towards the club wanting to actually make a fight of the Premier League this year and Farke’s sacking would back that up.

But there’s no doubting the squad still need more reinforcements if they are to make a real go of it.

Smith has completed the great escape once already with his boyhood club in 2019. If he is to do so again with Norwich, it could perhaps be his greatest managerial achievement to date.

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