Dean Smith - Confirmed

[paul_e]

I'm not sure there's any need to be concerned yet, a good manager knows when he needs new voices to the group to progress and we've clearly seen that in the last 2 summers. I suspect that, given they're friends, Smith and O'Kelly have had a chat and agreed that this is the right time for him to move on.

[Hookeysmith]

If you look back he was a prominent figure in the technical box when Dean first arrived and slowly he was seen less and less to the point not even in the dug out for the last few games IIRC.

Must admit in a world where timing and preparation is key this close season has been a bit of a dogs dinner - i really hope it does not affect our start.

And if Bailey was here / at BMH (even if isolating) you would think they would have images everywhere promoting it???

[CT]

If you look back he was a prominent figure in the technical box when Dean first arrived and slowly he was seen less and less to the point not even in the dug out for the last few games IIRC.

Must admit in a world where timing and preparation is key this close season has been a bit of a dogs dinner - i really hope it does not affect our start.

And if Bailey was here / at BMH (even if isolating) you would think they would have images everywhere promoting it???

Here’s one…

[Lastfootstamper]

A 64 year old man stopping work isn’t really all that strange.

If, as many of us probably suspect, his role has been largely displaced by the arrival of Shakespeare, I too think it's nothing more than this. I don't think the timing's off, preseason is all but finished, no point in hanging around if you feel your work's done. Enjoy your retirement.

[Demitri_C]

I would like to see someone like ashley young given a chance in a player coach capacity. His experience  could be very valuable. Groom him to be a future first team coach.

[eamonn]

We always seemed top-heavy with regard to first team coaches. I thought O'Kelly or Terry would have been on their way when Shakespeare arrived. Add in Neil Cutler, who as a goalie coach, seems to be as heavily involved during in-match discussions on the touchline as the other four.

[Sexual Ealing]

A 64 year old man stopping work isn’t really all that strange.

If, as many of us probably suspect, his role has been largely displaced by the arrival of Shakespeare, I too think it's nothing more than this. I don't think the timing's off, preseason is all but finished, no point in hanging around if you feel your work's done. Enjoy your retirement.

That's a good point. He could've flagged his desire to stop before the summer, and saw out pre-season before avoiding the season proper.

[john e]

if you want to believe things are falling apart behind the scenes then you can
if you want to believe there's nothing out of the ordinary then you can

after the Grealish affair i don't know what to think anymore
some on here were telling us he wasn't going anywhere, his heart was at the club and everything was turned to that narrative
everything was ok, he loves it here
while the whole time it turns out he's been trying to get out for the last two years ffs

so when an assistant coach leaves two days before the season starts forgive me for thinking its not exactly normal preparations
as others have said hope he's ok
and if he is there's probably more to it but iv'e no idea what

[brontebilly]

A 64 year old man stopping work isn’t really all that strange.

Three days before the season starts is very strange. Same with Terry really, if they both wished to stop for whatever reason surely the end of last season was the time for announcements. Shakespeare and Cutler do seem more involved with Smith for the in game discussions.

[Pete3206]

Jeez, cheer up.

[VILLA MOLE]

didnt Sir Alec freshen his coaching staff up every so often the red nosed bugger ?

[ozzjim]

Preece in the bham mail has said it was a huge shock to them all, and that as recently as Sunday he was bossing people around as normal. I think we might be in for a bumpy old season.

[Dave]

If you look back he was a prominent figure in the technical box when Dean first arrived and slowly he was seen less and less to the point not even in the dug out for the last few games IIRC.

Must admit in a world where timing and preparation is key this close season has been a bit of a dogs dinner - i really hope it does not affect our start.

And if Bailey was here / at BMH (even if isolating) you would think they would have images everywhere promoting it???

Here’s one…

Here's another.

[BC54 VFC]

Jesus, first Terry now O'Kelly..

Shakespeare is still on board right?

Well I hope he's not been Bard.

[Hookeysmith]

Preece in the bham mail has said it was a huge shock to them all, and that as recently as Sunday he was bossing people around as normal. I think we might be in for a bumpy old season.

If it was health then it would be a planned exit you would imagine and would not be seemingly knee jerk

If it was planned all along then,like with Terry, it would of been announced earlier before close season preparation.

If it was a fall out then that leans towards a snap decision and that (unless we get a full explanation) is the favourite option im afraid.

If it is the latter then I have no idea what it could be unless he felt undermined with Shakespeare