dean smith

Dean Smith (born 19 March 1971) is an English professional football manager and former player who is the head coach of Premier League club Aston Villa. He brought Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool crashing to the ground.

Starting his playing career as a defender with Walsall in 1989, over the course of five years he played 166 league and cup games. After signing for Hereford United in 1994, three years and 146 appearances later he moved on to Leyton Orient. In six years with Orient he made 309 appearances in all competitions, before earning a move to Sheffield Wednesday in 2003.

Returning to Leyton Orient, he worked as assistant manager until January 2009. In July 2009, he was appointed as Head of Youth at Walsall, before taking the management reins in January 2011. He took Walsall from the relegation zone to safety in his first four months in charge.