Aston Villa look to have hired one of a kind in Dean Smith and some of his methods will certainly keep the players on their toes.
Smith was appointed as Steve Bruce’s successor at Aston Villa where he will be assisted by John Terry and Richard O’Kelly.
The former Brentford boss was targeted by Villa after they sacked Bruce following a run of just one win in 10 matches.
Villa go into Smith’s first game in charge this weekend sitting 15th in the Sky Bet Championship, just six points above the relegation places.
The aim for the boyhood Aston Villa fan, though, is unquestionably promotion back to the Premier League.
But what makes Smith different from the others that have tried and failed to achieve their aims at Villa Park in recent years?
Well the answer is plenty actually.
You won’t find Smith banging the drum about being the ‘Special One’ or exclaiming that he is the man to finally put his beloved club where they belong.
He hopes his quirky managerial style will do the talking for him with results on and off the pitch.
And Smith’s methodology will certainly keep Villa’s players guessing.
Here’s a few of his quirky techniques.
A team of captains
Smith favours a team of captains rather than one and rotates each week. It is an idea that has caught the imagination in English football after it came to light in pre-season and England rugby coach Eddie Jones is even getting in on the act.
Smith explained to The Sun: “I was captain at every club I played for. I didn’t start at each team as a captain, I grew into the role. But I wasn’t any different as a captain than when I first went into the team. So it got me thinking, as a manager you go through your captain all the time — but by doing that you’re missing other people who could have leadership qualities. The modern world is more about collective leadership and leadership groups.”
Positive thinking, positive action
Smith focuses on thinking and acting positively and encouraging players and staff to work in an environment of learning. At Brentford he renamed the Analysis Room, The Learning Zone. And he would get the squad together and make them do debriefs in front of their teammates.
“It’s interesting to see how they think the game turned out in their eyes. Also, it takes them out of their comfort zones, as it’s always hard to talk in front of your peers,” Smith told The Sun.
Forget the football, get the kettle on
Young professionals at Villa be warned, Smith has been known to throw a spanner in the works at training… literally. During his time as head of youth at Wallsall Smith had the under-18s learning how to make cups of tea and changing car tyres. Why? To teach them important life skills and in the manager’s words ‘to take their excuses away’.
“I told them… you know how to make a cuppa when a staff member wants one, you know if you have a flat tyre you’ll still be on time for training because you know how to change it!’ And I believe as a manager it’s my role to make the players better as footballers but also as people,” Smith told The Sun.
Community work
Villa’s players undoubtedly already do their share of community involvement work. And it is something Smith will be pushing. He had his Brentford players doing ‘community visits and vocational stuff too’.
Being frugal
While most managers are on at their bosses for as much money as possible to splash on improving their squads, Smith prefers to be more frugal. That may not be what Villa fans want to hear, and indeed chief executive Christian Purslow has promised his new man funds in January, but Smith prefers to invest in potential.
He added: “I’ve never been a believer in budgets, otherwise you may as well give up. You have to find another way to compete. You have to be on top of your game in recruitment and sign potential. When I sign a player, it’s all about attitude. They’ve got to be talented — but talent is just one thing. They must have a great attitude.”
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