Dudley-born Sam Allardyce has delivered his verdict on Aston Villa’s appointment of Dean Smith, comparing him to a current Premier League manager.
Former Brentford boss Smith was appointed as Steve Bruce’s successor at Aston Villa last week and knows he must push for promotion back to the Premier League.
Smith will be assisted by John Terry and Richard O’Kelly at Villa, who followed the new manager from Brentford.
Villa fans were delighted with the appointment given Smith is a lifelong Villain.
The former Wallsall boss has proved his pedigree in the Championship over a number of years.
And Sam Allardyce hailed the appointment on Sky Sports’ The Debate, saying Smith will be the perfect teacher for assistant Terry and comparing him to much-vaunted Premier League manager Eddie Howe of Bournemouth.
“He’s (Terry) got a good teacher in Dean Smith,” Allardyce said on The Debate.
“He’s a very, very, very good manager by the way Dean Smith.
“I would love to see him break into the Premier League and see what he can do, I think he’s in the Eddie Howe class me on what he’s done and how he’s progressing.
“And he deserves this chance because Villa is his club, that’s even better for him, bigger pressure but worth it.”
Allardyce may divide opinion but one thing is for sure he knows a football man when he sees one.
Aston Villa supporters are excited by the prospect of Smith bringing the swashbuckling style his Brentford side exhibited during his tenure as the Bees pushed for an unlikely promotion to the big time.
The proof as they say will very much be in the pudding.
But Smith’s first priority is to get Villa in the promotion picture, style can come later.
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