Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is set to depart from the club after Sunday’s season-ending match against Manchester United. The Italian took over in September 2022 and led the team to their highest-ever top-flight finish of sixth, securing a spot in this season’s Europa League. Despite being linked to other high-profile jobs, De Zerbi and Brighton made it to the last 16 of the Europa League and currently sit 10th in the Premier League.
In a statement, De Zerbi expressed his pride in the team’s achievements over the past two seasons and thanked the club, staff, and fans for their support. The decision to part ways was described as mutual, with Brighton owner Tony Bloom acknowledging De Zerbi’s contributions to the club’s success.
While there had been speculation about De Zerbi’s future, the news still came as a surprise to many. The 44-year-old mentioned in March that contract negotiations were ongoing, but ultimately an agreement was not reached. Bloom emphasized the positive impact De Zerbi had on the club and wished him well in his future endeavors.
In addition to De Zerbi, several other staff members will also be leaving Brighton after the final game of the season. However, club coaches Andrew Crofts and Jack Stern will remain with the team. The departure of De Zerbi marks the end of an era for Brighton, as they now look ahead to planning for the upcoming season.