Gary Smith

Playing career After a brief spell at Arsenal as a schoolboy, Smith joined Wycombe Wanderers in January 1990. Smith reverted to his previous role of youth team coach when Wycombe appointed manager John Gorman on 30 November 2004. Although they secured impressive home victories over two promotion-chasing sides in March 2013; a 1–0 win over Brentford, and a 4–0 home victory against Sheffield United, Stevenage had fallen to 15th place.

Nashville SC On 12 April 2017, Smith was announced as the team's first head coach for the inaugural season of Nashville SC, a new professional club in the United Soccer League. Smith's first match in charge of the club was a preseason exhibition match against Atlanta United FC of MLS. In a rain-soaked contest, Nashville was defeated by Atlanta, 3–1. Smith's first USL victory came on 31 March, when Nashville SC defeated Bethlehem Steel FC 1–0.

Smith coached Nashville SC to a 12-9-13 record in USL play, good enough for a playoff appearance before being knocked out by Cincinnati FC in penalties. Nashville also won three U.S. Open Cup games in its inaugural season, which included a victory over Smith's former club, the Colorado Rapids of MLS. His team's four consecutive victories from 17 July to 7 August vaulted the club to the third spot in the Eastern Conference table.

As Nashville made the transition to MLS, much of the success Smith enjoyed in USL transferred over, with his Nashville side reaching the Eastern Conference Semifinals in each of the club's first two seasons in the top flight, and only losing at home twice across the two campaigns, the most recent home defeat coming on 4 November 2020 against FC Dallas.

To begin the 2022 season, Nashville would play each of its first eight contests on the road due to ongoing construction of Geodis Park. Smith guided his side to an impressive eleven points before the new 30,000 seat venue opened against Philadelphia Union. Smith also guided Nashville to the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

On 16 May 2024, a day after a 2-0 win over Toronto FC, Nashville announced that Smith had departed the club with immediate effect.

Personal life Smith was born in Harlow, Essex,