Charlotte FC announces new head coach

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte FC has announced Dean Smith as the club’s next head coach.

Smith is a former manager with the English Premier League. He’s led three clubs in the Premier League, which is arguable the most competitive soccer league in the world.

IN HIS WORDS: “Bums on seats and smiles on faces…”

Just some of what fans are told they should expect from new Charlotte FC head coach Dean Smith.

The 52-year-old former Premier League boss signed a multi-year contract pending receipt of his visa. https://t.co/I8cFar6a5Q
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) December 12, 2023

“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,” Smith said in a statement.

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Smith spent more than a decade managing in the Premier League, Charlotte FC said. He was once Premier League Manager of the Month, leading his hometown club of Aston Villa to the Premier League.

His last two coaching stints were shorter and were with more troubled teams.

Before his leadership roles, Smith played soccer for 16 years.

Smith’s hiring comes after Charlotte FC fired former coach Miguel Ángel Ramírez in the middle of their last season. In his place, Assistant Coach Christian Lattanzio served as the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2022 season.

Ramírez had a 5-8-1 record with the team.

Charlotte FC pointed out Tuesday their new coach has connections to our area, beyond sharing a name with a legendary Tar Heels coach. Smith’s son played soccer at North Carolina State University and now plays professionally for the Greenville Triumph in Greenville, South Carolina.

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