FRIDGE GEEZER
Smith out the kitchen to freshen up Delia’s mob
DEAN SMITH is the man of the moment again – but the ham in his fridge may be past its sell-by date.
Sacked as Aston Villa boss just a few days ago, Smith is relishing the task of trying to save Norwich’s sorry season.
It has been a whirlwind 10 days for the 50-year-old, who had been expecting to spend more time with his family – and the fridge.
Villa sacked him a week last Sunday, Norwich made their move within 24 hours and, after a trip to New York to see son Jamie, he is now installed as Daniel Farke’s successor.
He said of his routine when not in a job: “I’ve got a little bit of OCD in me, so I’m in the fridge making sure the ham is not out of date – the wife gets told about that straight away! The garden was always looking perfect and the golf got a little bit better.
“It feels good to be back. My wife had more plans for me but losing a job and being re-employed, it’s been a very good week in the end.”
Smith’s big problem is that Norwich, owned of course by celebrity cook Delia Smith, have been easy meat for opponents this term.
And with just one win on the board from 11 attempts, like Norfolk’s famous turkeys, they could be doomed by Christmas.
Smith does not have a relegation on his CV, however, from spells at Walsall, Brentford and then Villa – and is confident that won’t change.
He said: “In my first season at Walsall we were eight points adrift and had played two games more than everyone else – we did well to stay up that season.
“I’m very proud of my record and
I’ve always believed my job is to
by JON WEST
make players better. If you make them better, their performances get better, with better results. But, yes, it hasn’t been the greatest of starts. Hence why I’m here.”
Sporting director Stuart Webber sacked Farke the day before Smith got the boot – just minutes after Norwich had won 2-1 at Brentford in fact – and insisted it was the toughest of calls.
He said: “Anyone who can say they find it easy making and then delivering those decisions is
probably a psychopath. It was purely logistical.
“It was like breaking up with a girlfriend. Tell me the right time to do it. February? It’s Valentine’s Day. Summer? We’ve booked a holiday. Then it’s Christmas.
“What was important was that we did it as dignified as we could because that’s what he deserved.”
Webber confirmed he had passed Smith over for the manager’s job at Huddersfield in 2015.
He added: “He’s a big bloke, so I thought I’d better say yes this time!”