Brighton decide to sack manager Chris Hughton

Sports Monday 13/May/2019 13:57 PM
By: Times News Service
Brighton decide to sack manager Chris Hughton

Brighton: English Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion have decided to part company with manager Chris Hughton, one day after the season has ended.

The decision was taken by Chairman Tony Bloom, and as part of the move, Hughton’s assistant Paul Trollope and first-team coach Paul Nevin will also be leaving the Seagulls.

Brighton’s last game of the season was a 4-1 defeat at the hands of eventual Premier League champions Manchester City. Glenn Murray opened the scoring for the hosts, before goals from Sergio Aguero, Aymeric Laporte, Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan gave City their second successive title.

Brighton finished the 2018-19 season in 17th, one place above relegated Cardiff, with 36 points to their name. They won just nine of their Premier League games, drawing a further nine and losing 20.

Chairman Tony Bloom said, “Chris has done an excellent job over the past four and a half years. First stabilising our club, reaching the play-offs in his first full season, securing our first ever promotion to the Premier League, and retaining our status in two successive seasons.

“Undoubtedly, this has been one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make as chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion, but ultimately one I have made due to how we struggled in the second half of the season,” he added. “Our run of three wins from 23 Premier League matches put our status at significant risk. It is with that in mind, and the performances during that period, that I now feel it’s the right time for a change.”

Hughton joined Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium in 2014, before leading the club to the Premier League in 2017. They finished 15th in their first season back in the top flight. He was contracted until 2021, and took the club to the FA Cup semi-final this season, where they were beaten 1-0 by City.

“Chris will always be very fondly remembered by Albion staff and fans as one of our club’s finest and most-respected managers,” said Tony Bloom. “I would like to wish Chris, Paul and Paul – who have all worked extremely hard throughout their time here – every success for the future, and thank them on behalf of everyone at the club.

He added: “They will always be welcome at the Amex, and will be remembered here with great affection.”