Frank Lampard snubbed in favor of Dean Smith! MLS side Charlotte FC set to ink deal with ex-Aston Villa boss as new head coach over Chelsea legend

Posted Tuesday, December 12, 2023 by Goal.com

Ex-Aston Villa and Leicester City boss Dean Smith is set to be named new head coach of MLS side Charlotte FC.

WHAT HAPPENED?
The Telegraph reports that Smith is close to signing on with Charlotte as their new boss, with a deal to be wrapped up within the next week. GOAL originally reported that alongside Smith in candidacy was ex-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, who knows the league well due to his time with New York City FC.

THE BIGGER PICTURE
Smith joins Charlotte after the sacking of Christian Lattanzio, despite him taking the team to the playoffs in 2023. The ex-Villa man will be the third hire in three seasons since the club entered the league in 2022, with their first-ever coach Miguel Angel Ramirez being dismissed after just 24 games in charge.

Smith will have to undergo a major roster overhaul in 2024 if he wants to compete with the best teams in the East. He previously led Villa from 2019-2021, seeing them promoted to the Premier League while orchestrating the transfer of England star Jack Grealish to Manchester City. Most recently, he was interim manager for Leicester City, prior to their relegation to the English Championship.

DID YOU KNOW?
Charlotte FC drew the most matches of any Eastern Conference MLS team to make the playoffs in 2023, ending the regular season with a record (WDL) of 10-13-11.

WHAT NEXT FOR CHARLOTTE
With Smith now rumored to be on the way to the Eastern Conference club, they can immediately get to work on their roster rebuild while making offseason moves. Then, focus can shift to next Tuesday's MLS Superdraft, where they will have the No. 11 overall pick.