Dean Smith hopes to lead ‘successful and consistent’ culture as Charlotte FC head coach

Eighteen months ago, Dean Smith was invited to a Charlotte FC game at Bank of America Stadium.

Smith, a longtime English soccer manager and former player, had been spending more time in the Carolinas as son Jamie played at Limestone University and N.C. State. He watched Charlotte FC earn a 2-0 win over New York Red Bulls last June and was enamored of the atmosphere.

“You could tell it was a community-driven club,” Smith, Charlotte FC’s third head coach in as many seasons, said at his introductory news conference Monday morning. “That warmth and that feel never left me.”

Smith, 52, began playing as a defender for England’s Walsall Football Club in 1989. He played for several more clubs through 2004 and transitioned to coaching, beginning as a youth coach before working his way up the Premier League.

His managerial career began back at Walsall and included several stops before being hired to lead the Aston Villa squad in October 2018. Smith took over his hometown team in October 2018 when it sat 15th in the championship table. He guided them to the playoff final in 2018-19 as the franchise gained promotion back to the Premier League.

“Dean is known for getting the most from his players and teams,” team owner David Tepper said. “We feel that he’s the right man to help lead us to the MLS Cup in the U.S.”

Smith sat Monday beside Charlotte FC sporting director Zoran Krneta at Atrium Health Performance Park, the team’s brand-new practice facility in East Charlotte, before a packed room of reporters. Smith stood out early in the hiring process, Krneta said, because of his experience, leadership and an ability to make players better — and, importantly, Smith’s desire to come to Charlotte.

Once Charlotte FC fired head coach Christian Lattanzio following this past season, team leaders approached Smith to gauge his interest in the role. Smith did his due diligence, he said, and decided that this could be a really good opportunity for him and his family.

“The MLS is rising,” Smith said. “It’s got the world’s best player, who won a World Cup and lifted the World Cup last year, so that’s not a bad start. ... It’s a good tactical, physical and technical battle. There’s a lot of up-and-coming coaches here now. The standard is very, very good.”

He noted that while Charlotte FC is still in its “infancy,” the club has ambition. He wanted to go somewhere where he could be challenged, and the third-year franchise on the heels of its first MLS playoff berth provided that.

Besides, like he said, he’ll be coaching in a league that has Lionel Messi, the world’s best player.

“We want to have a successful and consistent culture at this football club,” Smith said. “I’ve been coming to the Carolinas for the last six years. My son studied here for the four years, first at Limestone, then at N.C. State. Also played soccer for Asheville, and now in Greenville.

“I’ve gotten to know the Carolinas pretty well. I’ve really enjoyed the warm hospitality, but also the community side and their love for soccer.”