Charlotte FC Hires Dean Smith as Head Coach
In its third year, Charlotte FC wants to put a more exciting soccer product on the field, win playoff games, and win a championship.
Charlotte FC has officially named Dean Smith of England as its third head coach, solidifying the club’s desire to become more competitive in Major League Soccer.
The 52-year-old Football League veteran has signed a multi-year contract with the club. Additional details, including compensation, were undisclosed as of press time, though Smith’s salary was reportedly £1.5 million ($1.8 million) per year during his last Premier League coaching job at Norwich. The contract is dependent on receipt of a U.S. visa.
“I’m honored to be appointed as the next head coach of Charlotte FC and cannot wait to start preparations for the 2024 season,” said Smith in a written statement. “This is a unique opportunity to be part of a project with so much potential to take to new heights in Major League Soccer. I’d like to thank Mr. Tepper, Zoran, Joe and the rest of the Charlotte FC leadership for entrusting me to lead this team and I look forward to meeting everyone involved with Charlotte FC.”
Sources close to the team called the decision a “collaborative process,” and the coaching candidates had an opportunity to see Charlotte’s facilities and personnel up close.
“Throughout the interview process, 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,” said Smith.
In its third year, Charlotte FC wants to put a more exciting soccer product on the field, win playoff games, and win a championship.
“Dean is a well-respected manager with over a decade of professional coaching, including at the highest level of the game in the Premier League, and we’re delighted to welcome him to Charlotte FC,” said Sporting Director Zoran Krneta in a written statement. “He has [a] proven track record of sporting success across multiple levels of professional football and his man management style will be welcomed by our locker room.”
The club is pointing to Smith’s record with Aston Villa, currently third in the Premier League as of this writing. Smith took the club from the second tier of the English football pyramid to the Premier League by winning the Football League Championship play-off final, called the “richest game” in the world since promotion to the Premier League is valued at over 100 million pounds sterling.
“A priority for our Club remains progress both on and off the pitch. Dean has a strong track record of winning results, authentically connecting with supporters and ingraining himself in the local community which are all important responsibilities for our head coach,” said Charlotte FC President Joe LaBue in a statement. “We're delighted to welcome Dean to our Club and look forward to introducing him to the larger Charlotte soccer community in the coming weeks.”
Smith came to coaching after a long playing career in the Football League. After serving as a youth team coach and assistant coach, he earned his first head coaching job at Walsall FC, then moved to Brentford FC before taking the reins at Aston Villa in 2018. Most recently Smith served as caretaker manager at Leicester City, where Charlotte FC assistant coach Christian Fuchs won a Premier League title as a defender.
“We’re excited to welcome Dean and his family to Charlotte to become the next head coach of Charlotte FC,” said Owner David Tepper. “We’re confident his leadership and experience will help elevate our Club beyond its first playoff appearance into a championship team."
Charlotte’s previous manager, Christian Lattanzio, took over as an interim head coach during the club’s first year after the sudden firing of inaugural coach Miguel Ángel Ramírez. In the club’s second year, Lattanzio signed a multi-year contract to be head coach, leading the club to its first playoff appearance despite criticism about his style of play and the team’s inability to hold a lead in the closing minutes of games.
A couple weeks after a 5-2 loss to the New York Red Bulls in the MLS wild card match, the club fired Lattanzio and started its search for a new manager.
Happy Days! Welcome Deano