NORWICH have sacked Dean Smith as manager.
The former Aston Villa boss, 51, has been given the boot following Monday’s 2-1 loss at Luton although the club are fifth in the Championship.
Smith has been in charge for 13 months but majority shareholder Delia Smith and husband Michael Wynn-Jones made the decision due to the team’s poor recent form and the fact the club’s fans turned on the manager.
Former Norwich defender and Swansea manager Russell Martin is among the frontrunners but getting him out of the South Wales club could prove to be difficult.
Assistant head coach Craig Shakespeare and first team coach Liam Bramley have also departed Carrow Road.
Coaches Steve Weaver and Allan Russell will take interim charge as the club seek a replacement.
Sporting director Stuart Webber said: “This was a tough decision, but one that we felt was necessary to give ourselves the best possible chance of achieving our objective of promotion to the Premier League this season.
“We would like to place on record our thanks to Dean, Craig and Liam, who have always put the best interests of the football club first.
“With just under half of the season remaining and three consecutive home games on the horizon we now have a real opportunity to build some forward and positive momentum, both on and off the pitch.”
After the sacking of Daniel Farke, Smith took over in November 2021 but was unable to keep the club in the Premier League and they have been unconvincing this season.
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Norwich have won just three games in 13 matches and the atmosphere has turned toxic.
The club’s fans turned on Smith during and after the defeat to Blackburn on December 17.
Supporters were singing for him to be sacked just 10 minutes into the defeat at Luton and there were also scuffles among fans in the away end during the first half.
Norwich, playing against 10 men, lost to a 90th minute winner from sub Cauley Woodrow at Kenilworth Road.
They are back in action on Friday with a home game against Reading.
The Canaries are 10 points off the top two and only in the play-offs on goal difference.
Equally, Norwich sporting director Webber is coming under fire after a series of poor signings.
