Dean Smith is set to be appointed as Charlotte FC's new coach within 24 hours after Frank Lampard was also linked with the MLS post

Dean Smith is expected to be appointed as the next coach of Charlotte FC within 24 hours.

The 52-year old former Aston Villa boss has flown in from New York City where he has been holidaying with family.

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

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

The Eastern Conference franchise, based in North Carolina, are owned by billionaire David Tepper who sacked coach Christian Lattanzio and his assistant Andy Quy in November despite making the play-offs. 

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

He was coach of Aston Villa for three years, leading the team from the Championship back into the Premier League. 

Lampard, meanwhile, has been out of work as a coach since his second spell at Chelsea, where he returned on an interim basis after the Premier League club fired Graham Potter. 

Prior to that, Lampard had just shy of a year at Everton, keeping the team in the Premier League in his first half season but was sacked days before he completed his first year at the team.

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

Charlotte are preparing for their third ever season in Major League Soccer in 2024, looking to build on reaching the playoffs in 2023.

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