Dean Smith has been sacked by Norwich City following the Boxing Day defeat by Luton Town.
The 51-year-old has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect along with assistant manager Craig Shakespeare and first-team coach Liam Bramley.
Head of development Steve Weaver and set-piece coach Allan Russell, who previously worked with England’s national team, have been put in temporary charge.
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Norwich have lost three of their last four games, leaving the club in fifth position in the Championship.
A club statement read: “Norwich City have today parted company with head coach Dean Smith.
“As the club continues to work towards its on-field objectives this season, the board believe that it is the right time to make this transition.
“Assistant head coach Craig Shakespeare and first team coach Liam Bramley have also left the club.
“The club’s remaining coaching staff, led by Steve Weaver and Allan Russell, will take charge of first team training and our upcoming fixtures on an interim basis.
“The club will now work to identify and appoint a new head coach that is able to deliver both the level of performances required to challenge at the top end of the league whilst implementing a consistent style of play.”
Former Aston Villa manager Smith joined the Carrow Road club in November 2021 when he replaced Daniel Farke in the hotseat.
He couldn’t stop Norwich from finishing bottom of the Premier League as they once again headed straight back to the Championship after just one season in the top flight.
| Games managed | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
56 | 16 | 12 | 28 | 28.57 |
Norwich are 12 points behind Championship leaders Burnley, who also have a game in hand, and second-placed Sheffield United.
His final game in charge saw Norwich lose 2-1 to Luton Town with Cauley Woodrow scoring an 89th-minute winner to pile misery on Smith.
Smith said on the back of the defeat at Luton: “We’ve got to react, that’s all we can do. We can’t change what’s happened, we’ve got to put it right.”
Norwich are next in action on Friday when they host Reading.
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(Photo: Getty Images)
