Dean Smith sacked by Norwich after poor run of form

The 51-year-old leaves Carrow Road along with assistant manager Craig Shakespeare and first-team coach Liam Bramley.

Steve Weaver and Allan Russell will take caretaker charge until a replacement is appointed.

The Canaries have won just three of their last 13 Championship matches and are currently fifth in the league.

In a statement, Norwich said: "As the club continues to work towards its on-field objectives this season, the board believe that it is the right time to make this transition.

"The club will now work to identify and appoint a new head coach that is able to deliver both the level of performances required to challenge at the top end of the league whilst implementing a consistent style of play."

After their defeat to Luton, Smith told reporters he was facing the most challenging period in his managerial career.

"Yeah... I've not suffered that experience before. It's not nice. Unfortunately, everyone has decided that they are allowed an opinion on managers.

"I put myself in a position where I want to be the head coach of a football club and I think that I'm good at it. Unfortunately, because things have gone against us recently I'm the villain."

Smith replaced Daniel Farke as Norwich head coach on a two-and-a-half-year deal in November 2021 but failed to keep the Canaries in the Premier League.

Norwich were top of Championship as recently as 1 October, but a poor run of form led to Smith's departure.

Sporting director Stuart Webber said: "This was a tough decision, but one that we felt was necessary to give ourselves the best possible chance of achieving our objective of promotion to the Premier League this season.

"With just under half of the season remaining and three consecutive home games on the horizon we now have a real opportunity to build some forward and positive momentum, both on and off the pitch."