Dean Smith - Confirmed

[wittonwarrior]

Being a Villa man himself, I just hope the weight of expectation from us "hard to please" fan base doesn't get to him.  He needs some time.  Perhaps we may not go up this season - yes we are desperate for that kick on but we are up against it chasing  rather than being chased.

[levico]

What vegetable are we going to associate with Smith then?

Rocket?

[AV82EC]

The fan base needs to get behind him and they will. The fan base also need to be patient, will they? I am as keen for him to succeed as the next man but this will take time, I hope he’s got the balls to stand up to any whinging and moaning from us if it takes time to get it right.

[levico]

Is this the first time we have had a manager who was a childhood fan of the club?

I can think of a few who adopted the club but no lifelong supporters.

Can’t help but think that the club have called the fans bluff on this one. We got what many asked for (shudders at Lambert memories).

[PeterWithesShin]

Ron Atkinson said this in an interview a week or so ago ""I’d supported Villa as a kid, I’d played there."

[Matt C]

Looks like the semblance of a smart structure being implemented with a progressive young coach at the helm who knows what the club is about, couldn’t have asked for much more.

Kudos too for the way the business was conducted - smartly, efficiently and in private. The media knew nothing until an hour prior.

[clash city rocker]

Think the spotlight in the coming weeks will turn to the players. Too often the contribution of some hasn't been good enough but they have got away with it as people focussed on Bruce's poor management. Some are going to have to up their  game.

[Three Spires Villa]

Good luck to all three. Dean in particular, I really hope the expectations that have ruined a few managers, Lambert for example, who loads thought was “the one” does not happen again. Forget all about the Villa fan stuff, not important. Good luck Dean

[dorsetvillian]

Very happy with all 3. I'm really looking forward to the type of football DS plays. Hopefully the climb back to the top begins here.

[NeilH]

Over the moon about this frankly, not just cos he’s a fellow Villain, but because it’s the kind if appointment the club needs after years of mistimed steps. His back room staff are just the cherry on top.

[Dante Lavelli]

Good luck to all three. Dean in particular, I really hope the expectations that have ruined a few managers, Lambert for example, who loads thought was “the one” does not happen again. Forget all about the Villa fan stuff, not important. Good luck Dean

I'm hoping this is the start of a genuine 'villa engine' where the head coach is less important.  The key man could actually be the DoF who will have a bigger say in defining the DNA of the club, Smith will implement that vision.

[itbrvilla]

Do we know much about his back room team other than Terry?

[PaulWinch again]

Welcome Dean, Jesus and John get us promoted and play good football please.

[frank black]

HEADLINE NEWS BBC......

JOHN TERRY IS BACK AND APPOINTED AS VILLA ASSISTANT.



And some guy called smith is manager

[Villafirst]

The only thing concerning me is the weak defence that Bruce has left behind, this will hamper Deano at least until January. Hopefully JT can sort it - maybe even helping out by playing?