Mirror
Dean Smith has issued his first statement since his Aston Villa sacking as he makes clear a difference in opinion with the club’s board.
The 50-year-old was one of several managers to be axed over the weekend with Daniel Farke also losing his job at Norwich.
Smith has led Villa for three years but had presided over a five-game losing run that had his side sat just outside the relegation zone.
The board have backed Smith financially throughout his tenure and last term, after securing top flight status, he led them to 11th.
He said in a statement: “My initial remit was to try and lead the club back to the Premier League within a two-year period.
“Sitting in 15th position in the Championship when I arrived in the October, managing to lead the team on a record-breaking ten match winning run and into the play-offs.
“Where we would eventually win promotion thanks to a memorable day at Wembley Stadium, was without doubt an achievement that I will always look back on with pride.
“Having led the club back to the Premier League ahead of schedule and at the first time of asking after three years in the Championship, the next challenge was to help overhaul the squad and create a group good enough to survive that all-important first season back in the Premier League.
“In doing so, I believe those achievements allowed the club to accelerate its ambitions to become an established Premier League club.
Back in the summer the likes of Emi Buendia, Danny Ings and Leon Bailey were all signed, but there has been no sign of improvement…
