Leicester City have appointed Dean Smith as their manager to help the club survive the Premier League relegation battle this season, the team announced on Monday.

"We've endured a challenging season, but I have no doubt that we have the quality in our squad to win this fight," Leicester City's chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said. "Dean's experience will be key to unlocking that potential, helping the team rediscover its confidence and channeling the support of our fans, who will be so important during these final eight games."

"Their support has been the foundation of everything we've achieved in these last 13 years and it will play a vital role once more in this crucial moment in our history. This is a fight we can win, together," he added.

Leicester, who fired manager Brendan Rodgers on April 2, currently rank 19th on the standings table with 25 points, with eight more games to go. They are two points above Southampton at the bottom and two points below Nottingham Forest (18th) and Everton (17th). Leicester have only four draws, the same as Manchester City and the fewest in the English top league.

Leicester City will play Man City at the Etihad Stadium in their next Premier League game on Sunday. They will meet other tough opponents as well including Liverpool and Newcastle United, but the two competitions against Leeds United and Everton will be the true deciders for Leicester City.

"I'm really happy to have the opportunity to lead the team during these final weeks of the season," Smith said in a statement. "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."