How England should line up once Tuchel takes charge

Chelsea young guns driving perfect start to post-Hayes era

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

England's biggest winners & losers from the Nations League

Top 25 Serie A players of the 21st century - ranked

FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024: Tickets set to go live

Barca legends to take on Real Madrid legends in Doha

Halftime adjustments: What will change for USMNT vs. Jamaica?

Is 1,000 goals realistic? Ex-CR7 rival says he’ll ‘get there’

Real Madrid learn date & venue for FIFA Intercontinental Cup final

📽️ | Porn star claims she ignored DM from Chelsea's Chilwell

Qatar shares World Cup hosting knowlege with Morocco

Ronaldo wants to make Guardiola the Selecao's new boss

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Charlotte FC hire Dean Smith</li><li>Ex-Blues boss Lampard snubbed</li><li>2024 MLS season on horizon</li></ul>

Frank Lampard snubbed in favor of Dean Smith! MLS side Charlotte FC confirm appointment of ex-Aston Villa boss as new head coach over Chelsea legend

Smith signed a deal with the MLS club as their new boss on Tuesday. GOAL previously <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/frank-lampard-dean-smith-charlotte-fc-mls/blt34b33d7ed3286527" target="_blank">reported</a> that ex-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, who knows the league well due to his time with New York City FC, was also considered for the position. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Premier League pedigree has arrived in the Queen City! ⚽️👑 Dean Smith is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheCrown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForTheCrown</a> <a href="https://t.co/3MtvuPhQjn">pic.twitter.com/3MtvuPhQjn</a>— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/CharlotteFC/status/1734596881076904432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WHAT HAPPENED?

Smith joins Charlotte after the sacking of Christian Lattanzio, despite him taking the team to the playoffs in 2023. The ex-Villa man will be the third hire in three seasons since the club entered the league in 2022, with their first-ever coach <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/why-did-charlotte-fc-fire-manager-ramirez-after-14-mls-games-ownership-gives-vague-explanation-of-decision/bltaadbe398a3b0de5b" target="_blank">Miguel Angel Ramirez being dismissed after just 24 games in charge.</a>Smith will have to undergo a major roster overhaul in 2024 if he wants to compete with the best teams in the East. He previously led Villa from 2019-2021, guiding them to Premier League promotion. Most recently, he was interim manager at Leicester City, prior to their relegation to the Championship.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

"It was clear that this is an ambitious club with the right ingredients for success and I’m delighted to begin a new chapter in Charlotte," the incoming boss said.

WHAT SMITH SAID

Charlotte FC drew the most matches of any Eastern Conference MLS team to make the playoffs in 2023, ending the regular season with a record (WDL) of 10-13-11.

DID YOU KNOW?

With Smith now on the way to the Eastern Conference club, they can immediately get to work on their roster rebuild while making offseason moves. Then, focus can shift to next Tuesday's MLS Superdraft, where they will have the No. 11 overall pick.

WHAT NEXT FOR CHARLOTTE

Frank Lampard snubbed in favor of Dean Smith! MLS side Charlotte FC set to ink deal with ex-Aston Villa boss as new head coach over Chelsea legend | Goal.com English Qatar

Ex-Aston Villa and Leicester City boss Dean Smith has been named new head coach of MLS side Charlotte FC.