“The real goat”: Jack Grealish and Aston Villa fans react as club sack Dean Smith

Aston Villa have officially confirmed that they have parted ways with Dean Smith.

CEO Christian Purslow said: “When Dean joined us in October 2018 our team was really struggling in The Championship. He immediately transformed the atmosphere and performances and achieved the ultimate success of leading Villa back to the Premier League within the same season – a rare feat.

“He then secured our place in the Premier League after a tough campaign and took us to a Cup Final at Wembley.

“However, after a good start to last season, this year we have not seen the continuous improvement in results, performances and league position which we have all been looking for. For this reason we have decided to make a change now to allow time for a new head coach to make an impact.

“The Board would like to sincerely thank Dean for his many excellent achievements, on and off the pitch, during this time. Everyone knows how much Aston Villa means to Dean and his family. He has represented the Club with distinction and dignity – universally liked and respected by everybody associated with Aston Villa – our staff, players and supporters alike. We wish him the very best.”

As the news emerged, former Villa man Jack Grealish took to Twitter to react.

No1 will ever compare 💙❤️ the real goat ❤️❤️ https://t.co/Spp6ADIAo6

— Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish) November 7, 2021

A number of fans also reacted on social media.

Dean Smith has got us up, kept us up and made us a stable Premier League side. I think that's enough to be called a Villa legend.#AVFC pic.twitter.com/o3PGJO8CxB

— Villa Real (@AvfcEnthusiast) November 7, 2021

Top-level football is ruthless.
Eaten bread is soon forgotten
Thank you #DeanSmith. You turned this club – your club – around when it was at its lowest ebb. You deserved more time.#AVFC

— The masked Cork-based blow-in (@Mr_Ro_Jangles) November 7, 2021

Such a shame it’s ended this way for Dean Smith. I loved us having a local Villa man going up against the best in the world but recent performances haven’t been good and maybe a fresh start is what’s needed. #avfc

— Jack White (@jpjw) November 7, 2021

I’m absolutely gutted. I thought he deserved and earned more time considering where we were and what he did for us. That’s my opinion anyway. I’m a Dean Smith loyalist to the end. Best manager we’ve had in a long time. Devoed man. Thank you Dean 💜💙#avfc #utv #deansmith https://t.co/ThyF23rPFi

— J Harwood (@blondie26544) November 7, 2021

I don’t do huge amounts of tweeting about Villa these days as there are plenty more qualified opinions, but for me Dean Smith has been Villa’s best manager since Martin O’Neill. It probably was time for a change, but thank you Dean Smith, you did a super job. #AVFC #DeanSmith https://t.co/FMxT5dC8Mx

— David Scott (@davescottsings) November 7, 2021

Shocked and gutted to be honest, but that’s football nowdays unfortunately.

Lead us through the real bad times and turned us into a good premier league outfit. Deserves all the credit & adulation in the world 👏🏻

Thankyou Dean Smith 🦁 https://t.co/yLkU9GnZ5U

— Thomas Liversage (@TomLiversage) November 7, 2021

Sad to see Dean Smith sacked by Aston Villa. !!

— Carol Ann Thompson (@CarolAn58003841) November 7, 2021

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