Australian defender Harry Souttar has a new coach at Leicester as the struggling side attempt to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The Foxes have appointed Dean Smith as manager until the end of the season in a shock three-man coaching team, with legendary Chelsea centre-back John Terry and former Leicester assistant Craig Shakespeare also signing short-term deals to join the coaching staff.

It comes after the second-bottom side sacked Brendan Rodgers at the start of the month after four years in charge.

Smith’s signing came as something of a surprise given the club was reportedly on the brink of landing former Leeds manager Jesse Marsch, but negotiations apparently broke down after he watched the team’s damaging 1-0 home defeat against fellow strugglers Bournemouth on the weekend.

Rafa Benitez was also reportedly in the running for the role, while the club is still reportedly chasing recently-sacked Chelsea manager Graham Potter as their next long-term manager after the season concludes.

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Leicester have lost both matches since Rodgers was sacked, with first-team coaches Adam Sadler and Mike Stowell taking charge on an interim basis prior to Smith’s appointment.

The second match – the weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth – saw Harry Souttar benched for the first time since joining the club in January, having started nine consecutive league games and playing the full 90 minutes each time.

The arrival of Smith presents a strong opportunity for the 24-year-old to return to the starting side.

And with former Chelsea and England captain John Terry as a new assistant manager, the towering Australian has a golden opportunity to learn from one of the competition’s greatest centre-halves – or to convince Premier League rivals to pursue a transfer should the Foxes end up relegated.

Terry previously worked for Smith as an assistant coach at Villa.

Craig Shakespeare also returns to the King Power Stadium as Smith’s assistant manager.

Shakespeare was part of Claudio Ranieri’s coaching team when Leicester stunningly won their fairytale Premier League title in 2016, and also briefly managed the club after the Italian’s sacking. He was also part of the team’s remarkable relegation escape in 2015 under Nigel Pearson.

“I’m really happy to have the opportunity to lead the team during these final weeks of the season,” Smith said.

“The challenge in front of us is clear, but it’s one myself and my coaching team have experienced before and, with the quality in this squad and the number of games remaining, it’s very much achievable.

“Our first job is to rebuild confidence and instil belief in the team and I’m looking forward to getting to work with the players this week.”

Smith, who was sacked by second-tier Norwich in December, faces a daunting assignment for his first game, a trip to in-form champions Manchester City on Saturday.

“Saturday will be a big test, but it’s the kind of occasion that reminds us all what it means to be a Premier League club, competing on the biggest stages against the best players in the world,” Smith said.

“I know we’ll be well supported by our travelling fans. We have to connect with that and give them a performance they can be proud of. We go there positive, looking for points.”

Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha believes the 52-year-old Smith can save them from relegation despite their dismal form in 2023.

The Foxes are without a win in their last nine games in all competitions, losing eight of those matches to plummet into the relegation zone.

“His leadership, coaching and motivational qualities will be vital assets for us in the coming eight games as we fight to secure our Premier League status,” he said.

“We’ve endured a challenging season, but I have no doubt that we have the quality in our squad to win this fight.

“Dean’s experience will be key to unlocking that potential, helping the team rediscover its confidence and channelling the support of our fans, who will be so important during these final eight games.”

Rodgers spent four years at Leicester and led the club to their first ever FA Cup triumph in 2021.

But despite finishing a respectable eighth last season, Leicester sold key defender Wesley Fofana to Chelsea, with Rodgers gradually falling out of favour after complaining publicly about a lack of backing from the board over new signings.

Now Smith has just a handful of games to arrest the slide and avoid relegation, something he was unable to do while in charge of Norwich last season.