Dean Smith Wishes Gerrard Luck As New Aston Villa Manager
Dean Smith has wished his replacement at Aston Villa, Steven Gerrard. luck as he begins his new role in the West Midlands.
Smith was sacked by Villa after losing five Premier League games on the trot, with the former Rangers gaffer brought in to take his place on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
Smith himself has already found a new job after being appointed manager of bottom side Norwich City, who sacked Daniel Farke prior to the international break.
Smith took over Aston Villa in October 2018 following the sacking of Steve Bruce, and the former Brentford manager quickly guided the club back to the Premier League at the first time of asking via the play-offs.
The 50-year-old helped Villa retain their top flight status in their first season back and improved with an eleventh place finish last term.
“I have no idea,” Smith responded when asked how he thinks his Gerrard will do at his old club during his first Norwich press conference.
“They’ve decided to go with Steven. He was very successful at Rangers and I hope he’s very successful at Aston Villa but, obviously, not at Norwich City’s expense now.
“But I had a very enjoyable three years [at Villa]. If someone said to be at the start when I got offered the job I’d spend three years there, especially with the modern life of a football coach, and accomplish what we accomplished, then I’d have snapped their hands off. But it came to an end and I’m in a different place now but one I’m thoroughly looking forward to.
“Hindsight is a wonderful thing but when you’re making decisions you believe you’re making them for the right reasons. I’m happy with what we did there. It’s a new journey now. I said in my closing statement at Villa that I was a custodian and that’s what we’re doing here now with Norwich City.”
