Dean Smith is set to be appointed as Charlotte FC’s new coach within 24 hours after beating Frank Lampard to the MLS post

Dean Smith is expected to be named Charlotte’s next coach within 24 hours.

The 52-year-old former Aston Villa coach flew in from New York, where he was on holiday with his family.

Smith, who has also managed Leicester City and Norwich City in recent seasons, impressed throughout the interview.

Charlotte also spoke to high-profile candidates such as Frank Lampard.

The Eastern Conference club, based in North Carolina, is owned by billionaire David Tepper, who fired coach Christian Lattanzio and his assistant Andy Kuy in November despite reaching the playoffs.

Dean Smith is expected to be named Charlotte’s next coach within 24 hours.

Smith was last at Leicester but failed to keep the team in the Premier League after taking over in April with just eight games left to play.

He was Aston Villa manager for three years, leading the team from the Championship back to the Premier League.

Lampard, meanwhile, has not worked as a coach since his second stint at Chelsea, where he returned on a temporary basis after the Premier League club sacked Graham Potter.

Lampard had previously spent just a year at Everton, keeping them in the Premier League for the first half of the season, but was sacked days before finishing his first year in charge.

Frank Lampard, who last managed Chelsea, is said to be in the running for the managerial position.

As a player, Lampard won every possible trophy at club level with Chelsea and finished his MLS career with New York City FC.

Charlotte is preparing for its third season in Major League Soccer in 2024 and hopes to make the playoffs in 2023.

They finished ninth in the Eastern Conference, beating Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 1-0 on the final day of the regular season to advance to the playoffs.