Sources: Stoke City approach former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith
Dean Smith has been approached by Stoke City over his interest in the managerial vacancy at the club, sources have told Football Insider.
The ex-Aston Villa and Leicester boss is a top contender to land the role following the dismissal of Alex Neil on Sunday (10 December).
Stoke want a manager who is proven in the Championship and has strong promotion credentials as they look to return to the Premier League for the first time since the end of the 2017-18 campaign.
Smith achieved promotion with Aston Villa at the end of his first season in charge in the 2018-19 season and was also crucial in building the Brentford side which eventually followed suit in 2021.
Neil was sacked by Stoke on Sunday after 16 months in charge at the club.
The ex-Sunderland boss leaves the club sat 20th in the Championship despite an expensive 18-man overhaul in the summer window.
It has been confirmed that first-team coach Paul Gallagher will take charge of the Potters’ home clash with Swansea on Tuesday (12 December).
The search for a sixth full-time manager in as many years is now underway at the Staffordshire club.
Smith, 52, is out of work after leaving Leicester City at the end of the season following their relegation from the Premier League.
He was also sacked by Norwich City last season with the Canaries sitting fifth in the table.
The ex-midfielder has taken charge of 190 total games in the Championship, winning 79 and drawing 50.
Stoke, who are without a win in six second-tier games, take on Swansea (12 December) and West Brom (17 December) this week.
They are just two points above the relegation zone after 20 games.
In other news, Championship trio race to sign German star.