Canaries sack Smith, following Boxing Day blow
Norwich sit in fifth despite winning just four of their last 15 games
Last updated 27th Dec 2022
Norwich City have sacked boss Dean Smith, not 24 hours after their away defeat to Luton Town on Monday (December 26).
Assistant Coach Craig Shakespeare and first team coach Liam Bramley have also left the club, Norwich announced.
The Canaries sit fifth in the Championship, after winning just four times in the last 15 games.
The former Villa boss has been at Carrow Road for just over a year, but Norwich will now look for a new manager to join for the new year.
In a statement, Norwich City said: As the club continues to work towards its on-field objectives this season, the board believe that it is the right time to make this transition.
The club’s remaining coaching staff, led by Steve Weaver and Allan Russell, will take charge of first team training and our upcoming fixtures on an interim basis.
The club will now work to identify and appoint a new head coach that is able to deliver both the level of performances required to challenge at the top end of the league whilst implementing a consistent style of play.
Sporting director Stuart Webber said: “This was a tough decision, but one that we felt was necessary to give ourselves the best possible chance of achieving our objective of promotion to the Premier League this season.
“We would like to place on record our thanks to Dean, Craig and Liam, who have always put the best interests of the football club first.
“With just under half of the season remaining and three consecutive home games on the horizon we now have a real opportunity to build some forward and positive momentum, both on and off the pitch.”
It comes just hours after Smith admitted his future at Norwich City was 'out of his hands', following his side's 2-1 loss on Boxing Day.
"We gave two criminal goals away... I'm not going to hide away for sure, it's my team that goes out there.
"It doesn't help it (my position), but I'm not in control of that, so I'll keep on working until told not to work", Smith said after full-time at Kenilworth Road.
"Do I believe we can turn it around? Yes. But it's going to be difficult, as I understand the fans' frustrations.
"I've got ears, I can hear what's being said. I've done it many times before, but I back myself, when backed into a corner I come out fighting, always have and I plan to do so.
"I sit down with Stuart (Webber, sporting director) every day, so tomorrow won't be any different... If the club decides they want to go another direction, that's up to the football club."
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