Jim Smith has been appointed assistant manager at Coventry City. The 61-year-old left Derby County in October after more than six years in charge. Smith rejected a move upstairs to become Derby's director of football as Colin Todd took over as first team boss.
Veteran Smith's experience will be an asset to rookie Sky Blues boss Roland Nilsson, who took over from Gordon Strachan in September. Smith, who began his management career at Colchester in 1972, has also had spells with Blackburn, Birmingham, Oxford, QPR, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Derby. His best achievements are leading Oxford to division titles in successive seasons and guiding Derby to the Premiership in his first season in charge.
Coventry were unbeaten in their first six games under Nilsson, but a recent run of poor form has seen them lose four out of the last six. Currently lying eighth in the table and four points off the play-off places, chairman Bryan Richardson will hope that Smith's arrival can kick-start their Premiership push.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
