Brighton & Hove Albion

The announcement that Roberto de Zerbi is to leave Brighton is that strangest of things: an unsurprising shock.

The Albion board do not take well to public criticism, so from the moment De Zerbi questioned the club's transfer plans and said those at the top would need to learn lessons from the 2023-24 season, it felt like he had cooked his own goose.

Gus Poyet went the same way 12 years ago, although Brighton have at least avoided a repeat of another messy and undignified divorce. It was also easier to understand the decision to dispense with Poyet in the face of a disappointing Championship play-off semi final defeat by Crystal Palace.

Despite De Zerbi's questioning of the ownership, I thought he would have enough credit in the bank.

To lead the Albion to sixth place in 2022-23 was a phenomenal achievement. This season, he has delivered unforgettable victories in Europe over Marseille, AEK Athens, Ajax and Roma.

Domestic performances do not warrant him leaving Brighton either. At the start of the season, most Albion fans would have settled for a 10th-place finish and a decent Europa League run.

Everyone knew the challenges clubs face when qualifying for Europe for the first time. Throw in a crippling injury list and De Zerbi has done a fine job.

There was excitement over what 2024-25 would hold with him at the helm.

With a fully fit squad and some shrewd acquisitions, and without the additional workload of European football, the Albion stood every chance of getting back to the flowing De Zerbi-ball which took the Premier League by storm in his first season.

It was the best football ever played by a Brighton team.

Now there are just questions. Only time will tell if this is the right decision for the club.

Tony Bloom has an excellent track record - Sami Hyypia aside - when it comes to appointing managers.

This next is one he must get right.

De Zerbi's boots are big ones to fill after he had the Seagulls soaring to the highest heights supporters have ever known.

Never dull, being a Brighton fan.

Scott McCarthy can be found at We Are Brighton, external

We asked for your views on the news head coach Roberto de Zerbi is to leave Brighton after Sunday's final game of the Premier League season.

Here are some of your comments:

Sam: Very sad news but it was always going to happen. De Zerbi is just too good for us. Luckily we can trust that Tony Bloom will bring in the best man for the job and get us going again.

Louis: RDZ was fantastic. He took us to new heights, setting the standard for future Brighton managers and their squads. He will be a hard act to follow. That being said, I think this might be the best move for all parties. He asked a lot of a fairly shallow squad and you wondered if they could sustain the trajectory he set them on. All the best, Rob!

Andy: Not totally unexpected. I don't think all the injuries this season are down to playing so many games. De Zerbi was brilliant last season, but this year he seemed devoid of a plan B once other clubs worked out 'the Brighton way'. Time for a fresh face and to push on up the table. Just hope he doesn’t poach all the best players, wherever he ends up!

Busual: He spent too much time talking about Chelsea and how they bought their players. Brighton made far more than the players are worth. When we thought he was a likeable man, he started running his mouth unnecessarily.

Sam: Some good times but I feel the past few months have led to this point. He was first asked about his future months ago and didn't commit to us. Now there are no other offers on the table, it seems he wanted to commit and talk about how great the club is. Tony Bloom is the man, not him. He breaks the model for nobody. Ask Chelsea!.

Daz: While it's disappointing, it does bear the hallmarks of Antonio Conte at Spurs, and as the club is bigger than one member of the team, off he will go. I'd like to see Thomas Tuchel come in. He has the big game, big club experience that would propel us into the regular European football Bloom has targeted. However, money will be an issue too big, I fear.

Tony: Brighton's success has been built on the back of the work done by Graham Potter. He is the obvious replacement to take the next step, if he is willing to do so.

It was only on Wednesday that my extensive interview with Brighton chief executive Paul Barber was published.

It included the following key quote about Roberto de Zerbi: "He understands what our limitations are. Behind the scenes, our model is very well known to him. We won't break that model for anyone."

The model has taken Brighton from the depths of the Football League and into Europe. Owner Tony Bloom is clear sighted and has a vision in which he sees the club as top-10 material. They may achieve that this season.

But Brighton is Bloom's long-term project. Barber has just signed a contract to 2030.

Brighton are refusing to say what triggered Saturday's announcement, but you only have to read De Zerbi's quotes for the biggest clue.

He said: "We have agreed to end my time at Brighton so that the club and I can continue to work in the way that suits each of us best, following our own ideas and visions."

So, either the Italian has no faith in the project or, more likely, he is not convinced it will deliver on his aspirations quickly enough.

His stock has risen considerably during his 18 months at the Amex. He will not be short of suitors this summer and is now free to take the offer he thinks is best.

Brighton will move on. In my chat with him, Barber also said he is obsessive about forward planning.

There is no chance he will be coming at this situation from a standing start.

Burnley boss Vincent Kompany was linked with Brighton last month. Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna is bound to be on their radar. And, interestingly, former Albion boss Graham Potter has just turned down Ajax.

Do not be surprised if Brighton have someone in place relatively quickly.

That is conjecture. What is not is that whoever De Zerbi's replacement is, he will work to Bloom's plan, not the other way round.

So, Roberto de Zerbi is leaving Brighton after just under two years in charge following the game against Manchester United at Amex Stadium on Sunday.

How has the news left you feeling, Albion fans? Is it the right time for a parting of the ways? And how do you described the Italian's spell on the south coast?

BBC Sport understands that one manager on Brighton's list to replace De Zerbi is likely to be Kieran McKenna, who has just won promotion to the Premier League with Ipswich Town.

Who would you like to see take over next?

Have your say here, external

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For this weekend’s final games of the season, he takes on Gladiators star Legend.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

I've been talking for a while now about how the season has fizzled out for Brighton and Roberto de Zerbi, and their poor form continued against Chelsea on Wednesday.

The Seagulls can still secure a top-10 finish with a win here though, and things cannot be too bad if that counts as a disappointing campaign for them.

Fair play to Manchester United for getting over the line against Newcastle United on Wednesday, but they are still only in eighth place. If they finish there, it will be a pretty accurate reflection of their season.

Legend's prediction: 1-2

It is between Chelsea, Newcastle United and Manchester United for sixth and seventh place - and the final European slots.

I am so torn there because I actively dislike all three of those teams. With United that feeling is just inherent but, weirdly, out of those three teams I would rather they got into Europe.

They are going to concede goals but they do still look dangerous going forward, and Brighton are struggling.

Read all of Sutton’s predictions for the final day of the season here

Image source, Getty Images

Roberto de Zerbi says he is "very proud" of the "past two historic seasons", as it was announced he would leave Brighton by mutual agreement after their final game of the season against Manchester United on Sunday.

The 44-year-old former Shakhtar Donetsk coach joined the Seagulls in September 2022 on a four-year contract, after Graham Potter left for Chelsea.

He guided them to their highest Premier League finish in 2022-23 and then to the last 16 of the Europa League this season - the club's first in Europe.

"I am very sad to be leaving Brighton," said De Xerbi.

"But I am very proud of what my players and staff have achieved with the support of everyone at the club and our amazing fans in the past two historic seasons.

"We have agreed to end my time at Brighton so that the club and I can continue to work in the way that suits each of us best, following our own ideas and visions, as well as our work and human values.

"I have really enjoyed an intense and challenging two years working in the Premier League, not least competing in four major competitions this season.

"Leaving now provides me with time to take a break before deciding on my future plans."

Albion chairman Tony Bloom praised De Zerbi for "leading the club to new heights" and said making the announcement now gives Brighton "the earliest opportunity to plan for next season".

He added: "I am sure our fans will give Roberto and his staff a wonderful and fully deserved send off at the Amex before, during and after tomorrow's match."

"I'd like to thank Roberto and his staff for all their hard work in the past two seasons. They all leave our club on good terms and with our very best wishes for the future."

What are your thoughts on the news, Albion fans? And who would you like to see take charge next?, external

Image source, Getty Images

If you haven't done so already, you have until 10:00 BST on Wednesday, 22 May to cast your vote for Brighton's player of the season from our shortlist.

The candidates have been chosen by fan writer Stuart Matthews from Proud Seagulls, external.

Find out the reasons behind his selections and make your choice here

Bayern Munich's top candidate to replace Thomas Tuchel as manager this summer is Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi. (Bild - in German), external

Want more football gossip? Read Saturday's full column

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi has been speaking to the media before his side Manchester United on the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday (16:00 BST kick-off).

Here are the main lines from his news conference:

• Lewis Dunk is not available following a knee injury suffered against Chelsea last weekend. However, it is not serious enough to risk the defender's possible inclusion in the England squad for Euro 2024. De Zerbi said: "Not such a big problem, which is good news for him and for us."

• On other team news, he said: "We will have to see Tariq Lamptey's situation because after a long time out, he played 70 minutes at Newcastle and a long time against Chelsea, while Kaoru [Mitoma], Jack [Hinshelwood], James Milner and Jan Paul [van Hecke] can be available for the start of pre-season."

• On Manchester United's season: "They have suffered a lot of injuries, problems, but they are still a very good team. Ten Hag's Ajax team has been one of the best in quality of play. For United, this season, it's been tough playing without a lot of important players."

• On Brighton players Pascal Gross and Denis Undav - the latter on loan at Stuttgart - being called up by Germany for Euro 2024: "I am happy for Undav. He is becoming a great player. Pascal is not a surprise - he deserves to play for the national team."

• On highly rated winger Valentin Barco and his plans for the player: "Valentin is a big character and has big qualities. In the Premier League there are a lot of very fast wingers who are very powerful. But he is playing well. If we speak about qualities, his are clear. Then we have to work to improve him defensively - if we play with a midfield four, we have to defend well."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

James Milner has just signed a new deal at Brighton and I can say the man is an absolute machine and one at the highest order.

That is why he is just 20 games away from breaking Gareth Barry's Premier League record of 653.

From 16 years old, his dedication to the job has been insane. That includes his diet and the way he goes about himself.

He is an athlete and a top-end one. Just incredible.

You would be shocked how good he is in pre-season. He will still be smashing all the records and be right at the top of interval and long-distance training. It is only the quicker stuff where he will begin to struggle.

I cannot tell you how fit he is and long term he has the right mentality to be a coach.

He is very balanced and almost obsessive in what he does. If he could do that in coaching then he would be very good!

He is a role model, so the way he will help in the Brighton dressing room with the younger players is huge. They will all listen to him because he has an aura about him.

When he is physically doing what he is doing, they will all be thinking: "How is he doing this." And that will only earn more respect too.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Wolves are in the news this week for their pursuit of a vote on the scrapping of VAR.

Their wishes drew further scrutiny on Wednesday when Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon found himself in the middle of a contentious call before offering a strong view on the technology after his side went down at Manchester United.

"Modified" is the word when we are talking about VAR going to a vote.

We are still getting to grips with it, but we have seen some good come from it. There have been some instances of indifferent decisions because calls are getting too many looks at them from so many angles.

They still do not know what is a good tackle and what is not. I think they need help from some former players, who have been in that situation and understand what the differences are in those challenges.

We keep talking about different angles and that is not going to go away because with VAR or without it, on certain challenges we would still disagree. You could have two current players in a room and they still would not agree.

It is Wolves' opinion on VAR and if they feel it is not working for them, then you can understand why they are saying to have a go without it again.

Molineux boss Gary O'Neil has been very frustrated, but he has also been balanced and tried to stay quiet. Now he does not want to stay quiet because he feels it does not benefit them and decisions are not going their way.

Overall, we have seen good things from VAR, even if it does bring with it a delay and a wait.

It would be a shame now for it to all go away when we have all the technology in place.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Here are the key facts and figures before Brighton host Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.

• Brighton have won their past four Premier League games against Manchester United. The last side to beat the Red Devils in five consecutive league games was Norwich City between 1988 and 1990.

• United have lost four of their six Premier League away games against Brighton (67%) - their highest loss rate away against any side in the competition.

• Brighton have lost their final game in four of their six Premier League campaigns - the exceptions being a 2-1 win at Burnley (2019-20) and a 3-1 home win over West Ham (2021-22).

• Manchester United have lost their final league game in two of the past five seasons, as many times as they had in the previous 33 campaigns (W23 D8).

We asked for your views on Thursday's Premier League game between Brighton and Chelsea.

Here are some of your responses

Brighton fans

Keith: We will be back next season. Some good transfers in the summer and we will be OK.

Mark: The seagulls are really back on form. The Aston Villa, Newcastle and Chelsea games were all excellent football and showing of a deserved place at 10th. Pedro and Adringa have been outstanding!

Richard: Poor season continues. Play like this and the Championship beckons.

Chelsea fans

Matthew: Great win that puts us into sixth place. Great goal from Palmer and it is also great to see Nkunku on the scoresheet (and his celebration, of course), but we did make it nervy before full-time. One more game left which could see us confirm our place in Europe. I am really proud of the team for the way they have performed in the last five games.

Paul: I thought Chelsea were excellent against a very difficult team. We dominated the game especially in midfield and Cole Palmer was his usual incredible self. He is definitely the steal of the season and I hope there is no buy-back clause. But the one real low point was Reece James. Really James - you are better than that. You are one of our own.

Freddie: Ending the season looking like a proper team and everyone working fluidly together. It was great to see Nkunku back on the pitch and scoring too. Let's see the season out and trim the squad over summer to get back into Europe where we belong.

Fossie: Generally a good performance. Pochettino has got them playing well, especially against teams below us in the league. Up to sixth with Europe on the horizon and I now think Poch should see out the next year of his contract. The blight on the performance was Reece James. He is a liability and if we need to sell someone to meet Financial Fair Play rules, it is him we should sell.

Aaron: Happy with a strong finish to the season but some inconsistencies remain. We seem to be maturing with game management, especially given the James red card. I feel optimistic of a top four-finish next season if we sign a top centre-back and hold on to Gallagher.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton have recorded just three wins since the start of March and have now tasted victory in just one of their past nine matches.

With 10 minutes remaining against Chelsea a point seemed out of the question.

But the Seagulls finished strongly with Simon Adingra striking the inside of the post moments before Danny Welbeck's late consolation goal.

"We lost against a top team with great players," Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi told BBC Match of the Day.

"We didn't play well in the first 20 minutes but after that we played a good game."

Things may have been very different if the hosts had taken their chances before Chelsea's second.

They also had a penalty shout early in the second half when Malo Gusto appeared to catch Adingra, but referee Michael Salisbury waved play on.

Brighton ultimately fell to a seventh defeat in nine matches but remain in 10th place.

The Seagulls end their season at home to Manchester United on Sunday.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi to Sky Sports: "I think we played a very good second half and the second part of the first half as well. We know the qualities of Chelsea.

"I think we gave our best and we have another game to reach the top 10 position.

"It has been a very tough season and the fans have understood everything.

"We have competed in a good way but have lost too many points at home, especially in the first part of the season and we have paid for that.

"I think it was a clear penalty today. But the problem is not VAR, the problem is the level of the referees. Today I did not like the performance of the referee.

"But I make more mistakes than the referee.

"I am happy for this season but I am sorry because I am disappointed and wished we would compete in a different way. Next season we can be a stronger squad and team."

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton goalscorer Danny Welbeck said: "Disappointing, frustrating. We didn't play to the best of our ability and that's the frustrating part. We have to analyse and see where we can do much better and finish the season strongly against Manchester United.

"This is a game we wanted to win and we have to brush ourselves down and go again.

"It has been a long time [since he scored] and I'm not happy at that but obviously happy to get a goal. Overall we're disappointed with the result, it's very frustrating. As professionals we want to finish very well, the best we can and we want to give the fans a good lasting moment for the summer."

On signing a new contract this week: "This has been a very special place since I came here and season on season it has got better. It's a great club, with great people and I'm really enjoying it here and looking forward to making more special memories."

Here are the key facts and figures from Wednesday's game between Brighton and Chelsea in the Premier League.

• Chelsea have won four successive Premier League games for the first time since October 2022, while it is as many wins as in their previous 12 matches in the competition (D5 L3).

• Only the Premier League's bottom four sides – Sheffield United (seven), Luton (11), Nottingham Forest (13) and Burnley (13) – have collected fewer points in 2024 than Brighton (18), with the Seagulls winning just one of their past nine games in the competition (D3 L5).

• Chelsea's Premier League games this season have seen 137 goals in total (75 scored, 62 conceded), their most in a single campaign in the competition.

• Cole Palmer has now scored 22 goals for Chelsea in the Premier League this season, only Didier Drogba (29 in 2009-10) and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (23 in 2000-01 and 2001-02) have more for the Blues in a single campaign.

• Only against West Ham (six) and Aston Villa (five) does Danny Welbeck have more Premier League goals than against Chelsea (four), while the Brighton striker is just the eighth different player in the competition to score at least 15 goals as a substitute.