According to reports on the Telegraph's website, Walsall manager Dean Smith has become the number one managerial target for Sky Bet Championship side Brentford, as they seek to replace the recently sacked Marinus Dijkhuizen.
The report suggests that following the collapse of discussions with Swansea City Assistant manager Pep Clotet, Brentford Chairman Matthew Benham has already asked Walsall for permission to speak to Smith, who recently penned a new twelve-month rolling contract.
The Telegraph article, which is written by Midlands Reporter John Percy, states; "Brentford had interviewed Clotet, Garry Monk's No. 2 at Swansea, earlier this month and were confident of having him in charge for Monday night's game against Bolton Wanderers.
"But negotiations have broken down over the past week and Matthew Benham, the Brentford chairman, finally pulled the plug on Friday night and then approached Walsall to ask for permission to speak with Smith."
The Bees axed Dijkhuizen in September, after just eight games, and had promoted Lee Carsley to head coach duties, the former Derby County, Blackburn Rovers, Coventry City, Everton and Birmingham City midfielder has since won five of his nine games in charge and is set to manage the side for their upcoming league clash with Bolton Wanderers.
SOURCE | THE TELEGRAPH | TELEGRAPH.CO.UK