Dean Smith - reflection & appreciation

[jwarry]

Just sheer class, thank you Dean

https://leaguemanagers.com/news/lma-latest/dean-smith-statement/

[spartacuss]

Can’t help feeling Jack really did fuck him over royally, and for what? He’s already a benchwarmer and Dean has lost his job

Though I can't help thinking that the aforementioned person will have shin-splints or a (non-covid) ailment close to 1st December.

[Chris Smith]

Dean's issued a statement through the LMA and I don't mind saying it brought a lump to my throat. Genuinely one of us.

"Finally, to the Aston Villa fans who showed me nothing but love and support from my first day in the job to my last, a heartfelt thank you from my family and I. The Aston Villa board’s aims and ambitions are to take our club back into European football and I would love nothing more than seeing the club achieve that. I’ve always said that I was simply a custodian of this great football club, and my aim was to leave it in a better place than I found it. I believe that together we have achieved that.”

[ChicagoLion]

Just sheer class, thank you Dean

https://leaguemanagers.com/news/lma-latest/dean-smith-statement/

As you say Class.

[LeeB]

Dean's issued a statement through the LMA and I don't mind saying it brought a lump to my throat. Genuinely one of us.

"Finally, to the Aston Villa fans who showed me nothing but love and support from my first day in the job to my last, a heartfelt thank you from my family and I. The Aston Villa board’s aims and ambitions are to take our club back into European football and I would love nothing more than seeing the club achieve that. I’ve always said that I was simply a custodian of this great football club, and my aim was to leave it in a better place than I found it. I believe that together we have achieved that.”

Regardless of his ability, the joy in having Smith as manager was that he was always, always putting the club first, and that's not often been the case with us.

[Villan82]

Can’t help feeling Jack really did fuck him over royally, and for what? He’s already a benchwarmer and Dean has lost his job

Though I can't help thinking that the aforementioned person will have shin-splints or a (non-covid) ailment close to 1st December.

joe is a weasel of the highest order. He is the cause of this very sad episode.

[Villan82]

Dean's issued a statement through the LMA and I don't mind saying it brought a lump to my throat. Genuinely one of us.

"Finally, to the Aston Villa fans who showed me nothing but love and support from my first day in the job to my last, a heartfelt thank you from my family and I. The Aston Villa board’s aims and ambitions are to take our club back into European football and I would love nothing more than seeing the club achieve that. I’ve always said that I was simply a custodian of this great football club, and my aim was to leave it in a better place than I found it. I believe that together we have achieved that.”

A class act to his fingertips.

[Toronto Villa]

It’s a wonderful statement by Dean. He’s a good man. It’s unfortunate things ended this way but that’s the business as he understands all too well. He will always be welcome at the club.

[Sexual Ealing]

Fuck, there's dust in my eyes!

[paul_e]

Dean's issued a statement through the LMA and I don't mind saying it brought a lump to my throat. Genuinely one of us.

"Finally, to the Aston Villa fans who showed me nothing but love and support from my first day in the job to my last, a heartfelt thank you from my family and I. The Aston Villa board’s aims and ambitions are to take our club back into European football and I would love nothing more than seeing the club achieve that. I’ve always said that I was simply a custodian of this great football club, and my aim was to leave it in a better place than I found it. I believe that together we have achieved that.”

The bold bit should be the footnote of his time with the club, I can't think of a single aspect of the club that isn't in the best state it's been for about 20 years, not all on Smith but he has clearly played a big part and deserves huge respect from fans for it. He did have to go when he did but I hope that fans quickly recover from that and remember him as a hugely important part of giving us our club back.

[RichardBatchelor]

He did leave the club in a better place and frankly after the summer, would have been happy to keep him as long as we survived. This year in, year out improvement is the stuff of fantasy - yes, it can happen over a ten year period, for example, but it won’t be a straight line. I think it’s preposterous to expect it - HOWEVER I did think he should go if we were genuinely in relegation trouble and that’s the part that’s not an exact science here. I don’t know if we are or not. But the idea that we couldn’t finish 12th or 14th for one year. as it would mean we weren’t progressing as a club is nonsense.

[johnboy]

Thanks for everything Dean, sorry to see you go, you were a credit to our club.

[Ads]

One thing is for sure, I've never seen a manager sacked and the fan base so united in their absolute admiration and respect for the departed boss. Its sad and strange in equal measure.

That statement is a touch of class from somebody who brought a lot of joy and immense pride to the club again.

We will look back fondly in 10/20/30 years at his time here.

[Rory]

Dean's issued a statement through the LMA and I don't mind saying it brought a lump to my throat. Genuinely one of us.

"Finally, to the Aston Villa fans who showed me nothing but love and support from my first day in the job to my last, a heartfelt thank you from my family and I. The Aston Villa board’s aims and ambitions are to take our club back into European football and I would love nothing more than seeing the club achieve that. I’ve always said that I was simply a custodian of this great football club, and my aim was to leave it in a better place than I found it. I believe that together we have achieved that.”

A class act to his fingertips.

100%. He's only the second manager in my time supporting us who has left with such a sense of goodwill, the first being Brian. The fact that he is in such company shows what a good job he has done and what an impression he has made on the club.

Every bit a Villa man, and as others have said, he will receive a warm welcome and standing applause from me, whether he's at VP as an opponent, a guest or a supporter.

[Exeter 77]

Just sheer class, thank you Dean

https://leaguemanagers.com/news/lma-latest/dean-smith-statement/

That is the way you leave Villa. There is a great deal of dignity in that statement.