Aston Villa have appointed former Brentford boss Dean Smith as their new head coach, with John Terry named as his assistant.
Just hours after Jose Mourinho's former assistant Rui Faria had reportedly ruled himsef out of the running, Villa announced that Smith would be the man replacing Steve Bruce at Villa Park.
A lifelong Villa fan, Smith has made his name at Brentford when leading the club with limited resources to be in and around the Sky Bet Championship play-off places.
Former Chelsea captain Terry, who played for Villa last season in the Championship play-off final, returns to the club as assistant coach to Smith just after the 37-year-old had anounced his retirement from playing.
Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow said on the club's official website: "These three appointments represent the start of a new era and direction at Aston Villa and we are delighted to secure their services after an extensive search.
Philosophy key to Smith appointment
"Dean has a clear and successful coaching philosophy as well as a real understanding of Aston Villa Football Club. He is also knowledgeable about the Championship.
"The board welcomes him to the club and is looking forward to working with him and his staff.
"John is one of the most decorated players in English football, has an affinity with the club and is ready to make the next step in his career working alongside Dean.
"Jesus also brings a huge amount of experience in his particular role having worked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
"He will ensure the club has an integrated approach running from the academy through the under-23s and into the first team."
Terry had refused to talk specifically about Villa earlier in the day when questioned but did insist that he wanted to move into coaching as soon as possible.
"I have ambitions and aspirations to be a coach, a manager, in the long run."
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 10, 2018
John Terry refuses to discuss @AVFCOfficial job but wants to be a manager: https://t.co/7UaYjtf2i7 pic.twitter.com/ZukyLCVkVI
