Former Norwich City head coach Dean Smith has vowed to take Charlotte FC to 'new heights' after being unveiled as their new boss. 

Smith has been handed the role ahead of ex-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, who he beat to the job at Carrow Road when named as Daniel Farke's successor in November 2021. 

The 52-year-old has signed a two-year deal at the Bank of America Stadium with the option of extending by a further year. He is said to have impressed the club's hierarchy during the interview process. 

Smith has been out of work since departing Leicester City after failing to prevent them from suffering Premier League relegation. 

He departed Norwich last December after being dismissed following a run of poor results, performances and his relationship with supporters at Carrow Road disintegrated. 

Smith heads Stateside to take his first managerial role outside of England - and is relishing the opportunity of coaching the South Carolina based side. 

“I’m honoured to be appointed as the next head coach of Charlotte FC and cannot wait to start preparations for the 2024 season,” Smith told Charlotte's FC official channels.

“Throughout the interview process, it was clear that this is an ambitious club with the right ingredients for success and I’m delighted to begin a new chapter in Charlotte.

"This is a unique opportunity to be part of a project with so much potential to take to new heights in Major League Soccer.

"I’d like to thank Mr. Tepper, Zoran, Joe and the rest of the Charlotte FC leadership for entrusting me to lead this team, and I look forward to meeting everyone involved with Charlotte FC.”

Smith will take charge of the MLS side ahead of the 2024 season, which is expected to get underway in February - only Charlotte's third ever. 

Charlotte, who formed in 2019, finished ninth in the Eastern Conference and qualified for the play-offs for the first time. A 5-2 defeat to New York Red Bulls prevented them from competing in the MLS Cup. 

“Dean is a well-respected manager with over a decade of professional coaching, including at the highest level of the game in the Premier League, and we’re delighted to welcome him to Charlotte FC,” said sporting director Zoran Krneta.

“He has proven track record of sporting success across multiple levels of professional football and his man management style will be welcomed by our locker room.

"Dean’s excited to hit the ground running in Charlotte and we look forward to welcoming him and his family soon.”