Ahead of their final Premier League game of the season, Brighton & Hove Albion announced that they would be parting ways with Roberto De Zerbi, bringing an end to a fruitful two-season period which saw the Seagulls qualify for the Europa League for the first time amid a sixth-place top-flight finish.
De Zerbi’s tenure was not without its challenges, with the Italian occasionally having to clarify question marks over his future, not only due to his personal desires, but interest from other clubs, such had been the success of his time on the south coast.
While the former Roma boss has said he is in no rush to return to football, Brighton must now act decisively in the off-season to appoint his successor. But who could Tony Bloom bring in to replace De Zerbi and continue the Seagulls’ current status as a strong and stable Premier League outfit with firm ambitions of Europe?
Here are 10 candidates who have been tipped for the vacant role at the Amex Stadium.
Manager
Current team
Odds
Graham Potter
n/a
4/6 fav
Kieran McKenna
Ipswich
4/1
Russell Martin
Southampton
8/1
Liam Rosenior
n/a
10/1
Garcia Pimienta
Las Palmas
16/1
Mauricio Pochettino
n/a
16/1
Ruben Amorim
Sporting CP
16/1
Erik ten Hag
Man Utd
18/1
Xavi
n/a
18/1
Steve Cooper
n/a
20/1
1 Graham Potter Free agent (Last job: Chelsea)
A move for Graham Potter this summer may not be the daftest idea in the world – and the former Seagulls boss is now the bookies' favourite, with Kieran McKenna expected to stay at Ipswich.
While seemingly backtracking by hiring their ex-boss could feel like a natural regression, let’s not forget it was at Chelsea that Potter left under a cloud, not Brighton. The Blues’ frantic search for the perfect boss (which appears to be forever ongoing) saw an abrupt end to the Potter project at the Amex – thanks to a record compensation fee for a manager.
So belatedly continuing that project may yet be appetising, though given the success of De Zerbi and the meticulous planning that the club put into selecting managers, Potter could seem a departure from that philosophy.
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ByRobbie Walls 2 Kieran McKenna Ipswich Town
Kieran McKenna was previously a strong favourite to replace De Zerbi at Brighton following his exploits with Ipswich Town, who have enjoyed successive promotions up to the Premier League under the former Manchester United coach.
While the lure of a competitive top-flight side could easily have turned the head of a manager also reportedly being eyed by Manchester United, he is thought to be on the verge of signing a new deal at Portman Road to fend off any other interested parties.
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ByStephan Georgiou 3 Russell Martin Southampton
Russell Martin’s first season at Southampton is not yet over, with his Saints side still vying for an immediate return to the Premier League via the upcoming Championship play-off final.
Perhaps what may be endearing him to the Brighton hierarchy is Southampton’s possession-based style of play, which could be appealing following the respective styles De Zerbi and Graham Potter.
As with McKenna, a move across the south coast at this juncture may require some convincing with promotion still a possibility. Moreover, this would seem a pretty experimental punt from the Seagulls for a team capable of challenging the European places next term.
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ByCharlie Smith 4 Liam Rosenior Free agent (Last job: Hull City)
There would be something poetic about hiring former Seagulls defender Liam Rosenior, who was somewhat harshly dismissed as Hull City boss in recent weeks after taking them to the brink of the Championship play-offs.
However, whether he has the credentials is another matter, and taking an unnecessary gamble amid Brighton’s recent successes in the Premier League and exploits in Europe surely has to be regarded as unlikely.
5 Garcia Pimienta Las Palmas
Having spent most of his professional career at Barcelona, Garcia Pimienta has made a name for himself since departing the Catalan club for Las Palmas, who he steered to La Liga promotion and top-flight survival in their first season back.
In terms of a side arguably punching above their weight, you can perhaps see why he would have admirers on the British south coast, but considering what Brighton's short-term aims must be, you'd have to question whether he'd be able to replicate his successes in Spain with the Seagulls. This one feels more of a gamble.
6 Mauricio Pochettino Free agent (last job: Chelsea)
With Mauricio Pochettino now out of a job, you wouldn't be surprised if the rush to claim his services became a free-for-all among the elite clubs. With plenty of teams hunting for new managers in the off-season, the Argentinian is unlikely to be short of offers, which perhaps explains his position in these particular rankings.
One thing that may go against Brighton is the prospect of well-established European giants potentially having an eye on Pochettino, with the likes of Milan, Juventus and maybe even Manchester United requiring a new leader in charge.
7 Ruben Amorim Sporting CP
Given that Ruben Amorim entertained talks with West Ham over becoming their new manager, it would hardly be a surprise to see him jump ship from Sporting CP, despite having just led them to a relatively comfortable Portuguese domestic crown.
Though while that display of disloyalty towards his current club will have upset his own fans, it could make Seagulls chiefs think twice over appointing someone who could leave the club in a similar position if things go a little too well at the Amex.
8 Erik ten Hag Man Utd
Erik ten Hag may have just brought home the FA Cup – his second trophy in two seasons – at Old Trafford, but the job security of Manchester United's current boss is far from safe. Question marks will hang over his future until the club's imminent performance review meeting, which could well bring about the Dutchman's dismissal after a dismal Premier League campaign.
He may be under less pressure at a club like Brighton, but it's the absence of European football that might make this move unlikely, as Ten Hag was recently linked to the Bayern Munich job this summer, which hints at the kind of clubs that could lead the race for his next move should he part ways with the Red Devils.
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2 ByStephan Georgiou 9 Xavi Free agent (last job: Barcelona)
Xavi's tumultuous reign at Barcelona came to an end recently, with the Spaniard's peculiar relationship with the board culminating in his sacking, despite leading Los Cules to the La Liga title just 12 months ago.
There appears to be an appetite for young managers right now, with Manchester United and Chelsea interested in the likes of Kieran McKenna and Enzo Maresca respectively, and at 44, the Barca legend is a spring chicken in managerial terms. Could he be asked to build a dynasty at Brighton?
10 Steve Cooper Free agent (Last job: Nottingham Forest)
Steve Cooper was loved at Nottingham Forest, and it is easy to see why, having taken the Reds back to the Premier League after decades away, before keeping them up and putting up a good fight the following season before owner Evangelos Marinakis pulled the trigger.
Previously touted as a potential future England boss, becoming Brighton manager wouldn’t appear to be something that would faze the Welshman, though with him being this far down the list of favourites, it may well be that the Seagulls have better options in mind.