DENIS Smith is back in the driving seat at the Manor.

The shock announcement today leaves Mickey Lewis in place as coach, but sees the ebullient Smithback as manager.

Lewis's three-month reign culminated in a dreadful run, with the team languishing in the Division 2 relegation zone. The side have not won a league match since the 1-0 win over Cambridge on Boxing Day and have failed to score in the last four matches. They have also conceded nine goals in their last two home games, including a 4-0 defeat by Preston on Tuesday night.

Smith managed United for four years from September 1993 to Christmas Eve 1997, when he quit to take over at West Brom.

In his first season as boss, United were relegated from Division 1, but enjoyed a strong run in the FA Cup during which they defeated Leeds United.

Smith took them back up when they gained promotion from Division 2 in the 1995-6 season.

Among his major signings were Matt Elliott and Phil Gilchrist, now members of a highly successful Leicester City side.

He has been without a job in football since West Brom sacked him a week before the start of this season.

Lewis, meanwhile, was originally given the job on a full-time basis after guiding the team through a 12-match unbeaten run after Malcolm Shotton departed at the end of October.

Lewis had the full respect of the players and coaching staff, but his inexperience and the string of poor results have forced chairman Firoz Kassam into a rethink.

In November, Kassam employed Ray Harford as technical director to assist Lewis, but he walked out last month after a row over pay.

Lewis was youth team coach before becoming manager, and has performed a number of tasks at the Manor this season - including bus driver, physio and kit man.

Lewis has changed the team's style to a more attractive passing game, but the lack of cutting edge up front means the side have struggled.

Story date: Thursday 03 February

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