Not every manager is always going to be a success at a football club, as Leicester City know all too well.
Take Ruud van Nistelrooy for example. Despite his impressive work with PSV Eindhoven, the Dutchman has struggled as Leicester manager.
Since his appointment in November, the Foxes have won three games in all competitions and are currently on a six-game losing streak where they have failed to score a goal.
It means that relegation back to the Championship seems inevitable and a dark mark on the 48-year-old’s CV.
But, that doesn’t mean you’ll go on to be a failure everywhere else, as one former Leicester boss has proven.
Dean Smith signs new contract with MLS giants Charlotte FC
It would be harsh to suggest that Dean Smith was responsible for Leicester’s relegation back in 2023.
Smith was appointed with eight games of the season remaining to keep the Foxes in the top flight but fell short on the final day.
He has since reinvented himself as MLS outfit Charlotte FC, guiding them to a record points tally last season. Now, this season, he’s guided his team to the best start in their history.
As a reward, Smith has signed a new deal until the end of the 2027 campaign with club owner David Tepper saying: “Dean has been an exceptional leader for Charlotte FC and we are excited for him to sign a new contract. The club’s success over the past year is a reflection of his dedication and commitment to excellence both on and off the pitch. We look forward to what the future holds with Dean leading the way.”
Dean Smith’s Leicester record
The former Aston Villa boss came to the King Power Stadium as part of the club’s last-minute attempts to change things to stay in the top flight.
Following the dismissal of Brendan Rodgers, Smith assembled a coaching staff consisting of John Terry and Craig Shakespeare in a firefighting rescue mission.
| Dean Smith record as Leicester manager |
| Games Managed – 8 |
| Games Won – 2 |
| Games Drawn – 3 |
| Games Lost – 3 |
Despite losing only three of his eight games in charge, Smith couldn’t save the Foxes as they dropped to the second tier on the final day of the season.
There aren’t many Leicester fans that blame him for the disappointing end to the season, but it’s good to see the former Fox doing well elsewhere.