Brighton and Hove Albion have made the incredible decision to sack Chris Hughton despite him steering the club into a third successive Premier League campaign.
Having brought them up from the Championship in 2017, Hughton has assembled a well drilled and hard-working squad, with the Brighton faithful having seen a number of notable results at the Amex during their two years in the Premier League.
Having taken centre-stage in the title race yesterday, with Brighton hosting eventual Champions Manchester City, the Seagulls board have this morning announced the shock decision to sack the former Newcastle United boss, saying that their disappointing form during the second half of the season had posed a ‘significant risk’ to their Premier League status.
They ended the campaign with 36 points, four less than they managed in 2017/18, but still finished two points clear of Cardiff City who had been relegated with a game to spare.
A statement from Chairman Tony Bloom on the club website reads: “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.
“Our run of 3 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.”
Assistant manager Paul Trollope and first-team coach Paul Nevin have also parted company with the club.
