Bristol City manager responds after Wales job emerges
Bristol, England 23 April 2023. The Barclays Women's Championship match between Bristol City Women and Charlton Athletic Women
Lauren Smith has reaffirmed her commitment to Bristol City by ruling herself out of the running for the Wales job.
Wales are on the search for a new manager after Gemma Grainger left to take up the reigns as Norway boss. Smith – who worked as assistant manager to Jayne Ludlow from 2017 to 2021 however will not be putting herself forward for the role.
“I’m fully committed to Bristol City,” stated Smith.
‘The WSL challenge in front of us is something I’ve wanted for the last couple of years, and I’ve wanted to see how the team does with the values and ethos we’ve got here.
‘The Wales job is an amazing job and step for whoever takes it, and I wish whoever that is the best of luck.’
Maybe one of Smith’s backroom staff could take on the role as manager.
Former Wales international Loren Dykes is an assistant at Bristol City, and has an excellent track record of helping youngsters through various programmes.
Smith wouldn’t comment on Dykes’ behalf but said that naturally, Welsh people would be linked with the Wales job.
‘I wouldn’t speak on Loren’s behalf. All I can really say is that working with Loren has been excellent. She’s a professional, she’s added something to our coaching team.
‘We’re both Welsh and we drive in together, so we both heard the news together last night when we were driving home. I like working with Loren, but I wouldn’t speak on her behalf.
‘When you’re Welsh and this job comes up, it’s always something that’s going to be linked to you.”
The job has of course emerged after Grainger’s shocking departure, and the decision certainly came as a surprise to Smith.
‘I was surprised to see the news yesterday,” admitted Smith.
‘It’s always a shock when people move on and there’s no rumours about it. I completely understand why the move has happened.
‘Norway is a huge country for football, but also have had a lot of major tournament success. I know how tough that decision would have been for her but she’s moving her career in that direction.‘
