Ex-Prem boss signs for MLS club – as fans spot something odd after zooming in on contract
Former Premier League manager Dean Smith was named head coach of MLS club Charlotte FC earlier this week, and fans have spotted some odd clauses in his 'contract'
Former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has been appointed head coach of MLS outfit Charlotte FC, and fans can't believe what's written in his 'contract'.
The 52-year-old, who reportedly pipped Frank Lampard to the job, posed for photographs after signing on the dotted line, and eagle-eyed fans spotted some curious (ahem) clauses in his agreement after zooming in on the document.
The contract states that he must meet with the club's mascot, Sir Minty, at least once a week and produce at least one TikTok video per month. It also noted that he is required to "stand on the touchline" during matches. Well duh.
READ MORE: MLS suspends manager for six games for vile comments about referee dying
READ MORE: 'I played for Chelsea and Newcastle - and now I want to follow Beckham's MLS footsteps'
The contract was, as Smith's wry smile suggests, a joke mocked up by Charlotte's social media team. The document was titled "Charlotte FC Very Official Head Coach Contract" and the words "not really, it's fine" were written in brackets after the TikTok video clause.
Then, at the very bottom, they'd written: "Legal … said we need to state clearly that this is in fact not an official document. Anything agreed to here is null and void. Sorry."
Will Dean Smith be a success at Charlotte? Let us know in the comments section below.
Smith was confirmed as the club's manager on Tuesday, saying in a statement: "I'm honoured to be appointed as the next head coach of Charlotte FC and cannot wait to start preparations for the 2024 season. 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 had been out of work since leaving Leicester after the Foxes' relegation to the Championship in May. He joined the Midlands club on an interim basis in April following the departure of Brendan Rodgers, but failed to keep them up. Previously, he managed Norwich, Aston Villa, Brentford and Walsall.
Charlotte, who were established in 2019, finished ninth in the MLS Eastern Conference this year. They just made the play-offs, but were beaten by the New York Red Bulls in the first round back in October.