Frank Lampard snubbed in favor of Dean Smith! MLS side Charlotte FC confirm appointment of ex-Aston Villa boss as new head coach over Chelsea legend

Ex-Aston Villa and Leicester City boss Dean Smith has been named new head coach of MLS side Charlotte FC.

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• Charlotte FC hire Dean Smith
• Ex-Blues boss Lampard snubbed
• 2024 MLS season on horizon

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Smith signed a deal with the MLS club as their new boss on Tuesday. GOAL previously reported that ex-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, who knows the league well due to his time with New York City FC, was also considered for the position.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Smith joins Charlotte after the sacking of Christian Lattanzio, despite him taking the team to the playoffs in 2023. The ex-Villa man will be the third hire in three seasons since the club entered the league in 2022, with their first-ever coach Miguel Angel Ramirez being dismissed after just 24 games in charge.

  Smith will have to undergo a major roster overhaul in 2024 if he wants to compete with the best teams in the East. He previously led Villa from 2019-2021, guiding them to Premier League promotion. Most recently, he was interim manager at Leicester City, prior to their relegation to the Championship.

• WHAT SMITH SAID

  "It was clear that this is an ambitious club with the right ingredients for success and I’m delighted to begin a new chapter in Charlotte," the incoming boss said.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Charlotte FC drew the most matches of any Eastern Conference MLS team to make the playoffs in 2023, ending the regular season with a record (WDL) of 10-13-11.