Chris Hughton SACKED: Brighton announce manager’s departure from Premier League club
The 60-year-old has left the Amex Stadium after four-and-a-half years at the helm
Chris Hughton has been sacked as Brighton boss.
The Premier League club announced on Monday morning that they had taken the tough decision to bring Hughton's four-and-a-half year reign to an end.
The 60-year-old led the Seagulls to promotion from the Championship in 2016/17.
They finished 15th last term to retain their Premier League status and again escaped relegation this season but have picked up just two wins from 18 top-flight matches since the turn of the year.
His last match in charge was Sunday's final game of the campaign against Manchester City, a 4-1 defeat which secured Pep Guardiola's side the title.
Hughton’s assistant Paul Trollope and first-team coach Paul Nevin have also left the Amex Stadium.
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.
“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.
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“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.”
The club have confirmed that the process to find a new manager is already under way.
Swansea boss Graham Potter is the odds-on favourite with the bookmakers to replace Hughton.