Newly-appointed Brentford manager Dean Smith has expressed his delight at moving to the Championship from League One outfit Walsall.

The 44-year-old joins the Bees with his old side currently sitting third in the League One table, and although Smith admits that it was not an easy decision to leave the Saddlers, the former centre-back believes that his new side can reach the Premier League.

"It was a very difficult decision [to leave Walsall]," Smith told Sky Sports News. "But I'm really pleased to have this opportunity to manage in the Championship and test my wits against some really good coaches.

"[Brentford's] a club that's going upwards, and it's an exciting club. There's a project here and a strategy of how they want to do things that fit in with my values as well, and that's important. It's a good fit.

"The long-term vision for this football club - and hopefully it can be a short-term vision as well - is to get in the Premier League. They came very close last season, and hopefully we can improve on what we're doing this season and get better."

Smith's first match as Brentford manager will be against MK Dons on Saturday afternoon.