Dean Smith - Confirmed

[Sexual Ealing]

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.

I think CT was talking about ROK Dave!

[BC Villain]

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.

This is a good point.  Ferguson was at manure for 25 years, but didn’t have the same coaching staff around him for those 25 years.  Sometimes managers need to freshen up their back room and take on views from different voices.  That said, ROK leaving now is odd timing.  Sincerely hope it's not health related.

[WarszaVillan]

I liked O'Kelly, one of the few old school coaches left as it all becomes statisticians with ipads

[Bad English]

Given the way they pulled Ings out of the hat, it would not surprise me if tomorrow they slapped a pic on Pravda of some top coach in his new Villa training kit shaking hands with Dean.

[dave shelley]

What with one thing or another I've felt uncomfortable all this closed season.  The will he won't he saga, Terry's departure, cancelled pre-season games and now ROK leaving doesn't give us the best preparation.  I hope the new players hit the ground running and we get the additions most of us feel are needed.

[Dante Lavelli]

Given the way they pulled Ings out of the hat, it would not surprise me if tomorrow they slapped a pic on Pravda of some top coach in his new Villa training kit shaking hands with Dean.

Is there such a bloke though?  I am sure there are good coaches about but most the best ones would be managers.

[cdward]

In Shakespeare we have a good coach, and Neil Cutler always looks like he is actively involved.
We do now have a set piece specialist coach, so maybe it’s just the evolution of a progressive football club.

[Richard E]

I’d heard that we were bringing in Geronimo the alpaca to replace him.

[usav]

In Shakespeare we have a good coach, and Neil Cutler always looks like he is actively involved.

Agree - I mentioned this months ago, Cutler seems way more involved than just being the keeper coach.   I almost felt like we had too many coaches.....not sure how we stack up against other teams.....don't really pay much attention beyond the 'boss'.

[Ads]

Seems he's had enough. Was taking a backseat anyway and I think perhaps age/time has just caught up with him.

No acrimony and nothing to suggest a rift, so suggests it's personal.

[OzVilla]

Poor timing in a preseason that quite frankly has been chaotic looking from the outside. Not a great feeling to be taking into a new season.

[paul_e]

Seems he's had enough. Was taking a backseat anyway and I think perhaps age/time has just caught up with him.

No acrimony and nothing to suggest a rift, so suggests it's personal.

Exactly, he's 64 we already have changes in the coaching team this summer he probably felt it was the right time to step back, there's literally no evidence that this, or the Terry departure are anything to worry about but in both cases we've had people inventing conspiracies because they can't believe that people might just decide they want to go and the club might just agree to it. Personally I think it's sensible to change things up every now and then in coaching roles because new people brings new ideas and means everyone is always learning something new.

[Risso]

It's slightly odd timing, but I can't see that it's really a biggie. Shakespeare is clearly the proper number 2, and it would have a much bigger deal had he left.

[OCD]

I think it's natural to evolve as we grow. Not only do you need different ideas but you need to hear different voices too.

[Small Rodent]

It's slightly odd timing, but I can't see that it's really a biggie. Shakespeare is clearly the proper number 2, and it would have a much bigger deal had he left.

Yep. It’s time for the Alan Partridge shrug gif

But I don’t know how to do it.