Brighton Sack Manager Chris Hughton

By Max Wise

Brighton and Hove Albion have sacked manager Chris Hughton just a day after the conclusion of the 2018/2019 Premier League season.

Brighton ended the season in 17th place after Sunday’s 4-1 loss to Manchester City, just two points above Cardiff City, who occupied the final relegation spot.

Hughton led Brighton to their first ever season in the Premier League in 2017, helping preserve their Premier League status before keeping them up again this season.

The Seagulls’ performances dropped in the second half of the campaign as they won just three times in their final 23 games of the season but they made it all the way to the semi-finals of the FA Cup where they lost to Manchester City by a single goal.

"Chris has done an excellent job over the past four and a half years," Brighton chairman Tony Bloom told the club's official website.

"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 and Hove Albion, but ultimately one I have made due to how we struggled in the second half of the season.

"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.

"Chris will always be very fondly remembered by Albion staff and fans as one of our club's finest and most-respected managers.

"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.

"They will always be welcome at the Amex, and will be remembered here with great affection."

Hughton becomes the seventh Premier League manager to be sacked this season after Jose Mourinho, Slavisa Jokanovic, Claudio Ranieri, Claude Puel, Mark Hughes and David Wagner.