Brighton confirm Potter replacement as new manager signs four-year contract

Brighton have appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their new head coach on a four-year contract, subject to a work permit.

The 43-year-old former Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk boss agreed final contract terms on Sunday afternoon on a deal to succeed Graham Potter, who left for Chelsea earlier this month.

De Zerbi met club owner Tony Bloom, managing director Paul Barber and technical director David Weir in London earlier this week and flew to Sussex on Friday night before attending a friendly at behind closed doors at Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

As a sign of respect to the Queen, De Zerbi will not be officially presented to the media until Tuesday afternoon.

Bloom said: "I am absolutely delighted that Roberto has agreed to become our new head coach. Roberto's teams play an exciting and courageous style of football, and I am confident that his style and tactical approach will be a perfect fit. to our existing team."

Weir said: "Roberto has demonstrated his undoubted ability with his work in Italy and Ukraine, and what he achieved in Sassuolo certainly stands out.

"During his short spell with Shakhtar, he enjoyed further success, leading the club to cup success and top of the Ukrainian league before war abruptly cut short his time there.

"We are delighted to welcome Roberto and look forward to introducing him to our team as well as giving him all the support he needs to introduce his coaching philosophy and help the players continue their brilliant start to the game. season."

Barber, who is also Vice President, added, "We looked at a range of great candidates, but Roberto was our number one choice from the start and the only person we spoke to.

"It's no secret that our President constantly monitors potential coaches, here in our domestic leagues, across Europe and around the world as part of our succession planning work.< /p>

"We believe Roberto is the right person culturally and technically for Brighton & Hove Albion, and the right person to continue the progress of the club and work with this exceptional group of players."

Brighton have had a strong start to the Premier League season and still sit fourth in the table with 13 points from six games despite the postponement of this weekend's clash with Crystal Palace. De Zerbi faces a classic baptism of fire after the international break, with Brighton traveling to Anfield to take on Liverpool on October 1 before hosting Tottenham at the Amex a week later.