Written by by Anna O’Loughlin, CNN
Before Dean Smith became manager at Norwich City in 2015, he spent more than a decade in non-league English football.
The players had never met him before his appointment but, four games into his first season, they were looking to hoist the League One trophy — like a coach would be expected to do.
“The first time I met him he had a big smile on his face because he knew it was the right job for him, he had a good reputation,” says goalkeeper Tim Krul.
The Dutch international feels he has benefited from the fact Smith lives in the city and is regularly around the club during games and training sessions.
“It’s nice to see him around because we know he really wants to do well,” says Krul. “All you want is the manager to like you. After two or three games we started to smile on the pitch a bit more, and I know he does, too.”
Smith helped Norwich get promoted to the Premier League in the second half of the 2016-17 season — its first in their history. But just a few games into the campaign, the Canaries slipped to bottom of the table and were two points from relegation.
Krul is relieved he was able to assist with that pre-season training and said Smith’s post-mortem performances over the coming months will be crucial in assessing how much progress they have made.
“We had a few players about the training ground and we got into it for the first time with the manager after a few games. It was a real hit-and-miss thing where you could feel he really enjoyed it,” Krul told CNN Sport.
Norwich’s iconic stadium was transformed into a sea of red for their recent league game against Sheffield Wednesday, where a team largely comprising transfers from non-league and youth-team players was superbly backed by a full house and cult following. Krul is pleased by the attitude and work ethic of the players.
“The players enjoy training and they’re working for each other. That’s what we’re about and the boys that came from the second team and youth-team that are playing in our midfield have done a great job.”
Krul’s form means he is now considering leaving Newcastle United — the club for which he spent eight seasons after signing from Feyenoord when they were in the second division — for Norwich. Having made more than 100 appearances for the Magpies, the 32-year-old was a popular figure among fans, but is enjoying his new experience at Norwich.
“I’m very grateful to Newcastle for the eight years I had there, but with me moving on you end up traveling a bit more and playing here instead of at home. I’m looking at it all as it unfolds, I don’t know what’s going to happen. I really don’t know what I can give and what I can’t give.”
Krul has had his transfer talks but has not yet decided whether to stay or head for Newcastle, as he is eligible to join another Premier League club without a work permit.
“I don’t see myself sitting in a train and going to Newcastle or anywhere else for the foreseeable future. I’m really enjoying it here,” he says.
“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Newcastle and there’s nothing wrong with being loyal and wanting to finish what I’m doing there.
“But I’m also making sure I look after myself as well, which I need to do because I’ve only ever played for four clubs. That’s a lot of things to take into account.”