Dean Smith is on the BRINK of becoming Norwich’s new boss after agreeing a two-and-a-half-year deal

Dean Smith is to be confirmed as manager of Norwich City after declaring he was ready to take on the challenge of keeping them in the Premier League.

The 50-year-old was always considered Norwich’s No 1 candidate though there were fears that he would require an extended break following his sacking by Aston Villa just eight days ago.

However, Smith, who has been visiting family in New York, made it clear he wanted to make a swift return and agreed to terms on Saturday.

Dean Smith is set to be confirmed as  Norwich boss just a week after his Aston Villa exit

Daniel Farke was dismissed on November 6 with the club five points adrift of top-flight safety

He will sign an initial two-and-a-half-year contract and hopes to have Craig Shakespeare alongside him as his assistant.

Frank Lampard withdrew from the race last week as it became clear Smith was the preferred candidate to replace Daniel Farke after an ‘extremely impressive’ interview.

Smith was then offered the job on Friday evening.

The former Villa boss, who was sacked after a 1-0 defeat at Southampton, will face Saints in his first game in charge. 

Frank Lampard was initially a contender for the job but soon pulled his name out of contention 

After impressing Norwich chiefs, Smith is currently in New York City to spend time with family

Norwich are bottom of the table after gaining just five points from 11 games and Smith will look to revitalise the form of young midfielders Todd Cantwell and Chelsea loanee Billy Gilmour.

Smith has had previous spells with Brentford and Walsall and made an instant impact after being appointed Villa boss in October 2018, getting his boyhood club promoted at the end of his first season. 

He kept them up upon their return to the top flight before finishing 11th last term. Smith was replaced at Villa by Steven Gerrard last week and the two will come face-to-face in their new roles on December 14.