Aston Villa Appoint Craig Shakespeare as Assistant Head Coach

Former Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare has joined Aston Villa's coaching staff and will assist Dean Smith for the forthcoming season.

Villa avoided relegation on the last day of the Premier League season, but after a shaky campaign Smith has been keen to add some top-flight experience to his staff.

The club confirmed on Friday that Shakespeare, who assisted Claudio Ranieri when Leicester won the Premier League and later succeeded the Italian, has been brought in.

“I was keen to add some additional Premier League know-how onto my coaching team and Craig certainly has that in abundance," said Smith following the announcement.

“He’s a vastly experienced coach who will add another dimension to our team. I've known Craig for many years since our Walsall playing days and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”

Villa curiously now have three assistant managers, with John Terry and Richard O'Kelly on the books already. There has been some speculation, however, that the former could leave to take the reins at Bournemouth, who were relegated on the final day of the season.

Shakespeare assisted Nigel Pearson at Watford last season, having worked with Sam Allardyce at Everton in 2018/19, and hasn't managed a club since his tenure with Leicester came to an ill-fated end.

The 56-year-old enjoyed initial success after succeeding Ranieri and became the first English manager ever to win his first four Premier League matches on his way to keeping the Foxes in the top flight.

His performances as interim head coach earned him a three-year deal the following summer, but a dismal start to the following campaign had the club back at square one and he was relieved of his duties.

Villa will be hoping Shakespeare's arrival can inspire an improvement on their first season back in the top flight, having managed just 35 points and swerved the drop by a solitary point last term.