(Football news) Leicester City after sacking Brendan Rodgers last month have appointed Dean Smith as their new interim manager until the end of the season as the club attempts to avoid relegation. Smith has a very difficult job on his hand as he has to lead 19th-placed Leicester out of the relegation zone in their final eight matches of the Premier League season. The former Norwich manager will start against Manchester City, Dean Smith left the Canaries last season after his previous spells at Aston Villa and Brentford weren’t very successful.

Dean Smith takes over the manager position following the departure of Brendan Rodgers. The former Premier League champions are struggling and are on a nine-match winless run after their  disappointing 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday. Leicester currently have 25 points after 30 games, and are two points adrift of the safety zone as Smith is set to take training for the first time on Tuesday. Leicester City were reportedly close to appointing Jesse Marsch as their new manager and was in advanced talks with the Leicester hierarchy over a potential deal following Rodgers’ exit.

The American was the leading candidate to take over the vacancy before the club opted to move forward with Smith. Rodgers had a successful time with the Foxes as he helped Leicester lift the FA Cup for the first time while guided them to back-to-back fifth-placed finishes in the Premier League. The club spoke to Rafa Bentinez but that move also didn’t transpire due to the high wage demands from the Champions League winner. 

“I’m really happy to have the opportunity to lead the team during these final weeks of the season,” Smith said in a statement. “The challenge in front of us is clear, but it’s one myself and my coaching team have experienced before and, with the quality in this squad and the number of games remaining, it’s very much achievable.”

“We’ve endured a challenging season, but I have no doubt that we have the quality in our squad to win this fight,” chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said. “Dean’s experience will be key to unlocking that potential, helping the team rediscover its confidence and channelling the support of our fans, who will be so important during these final eight games.

“Their support has been the foundation of everything we’ve achieved in these last 13 years and it will play a vital role once more in this crucial moment in our history. This is a fight we can win, together.”

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