Roberto De Zerbi says he is ‘very sad’ to be leaving Brighton but ‘proud’ of what the team achieved during his time at the club after it was confirmed he would leave following the final game of the season.
De Zerbi arrived at Brighton in September 2022, taking over from his popular predecessor Graham Potter, and led the Seagulls to their highest-ever Premier League finish last season.
Under De Zerbi, Brighton competed in the Europa League earlier in the season, reaching the knockout stages before a last-16 defeat to Serie A side Roma.
They are 10th in the Premier League after a poor second-half to the 2023-24 campaign and face Manchester United at the Amex Stadium on Sunday in their final game.
De Zerbi’s backroom staff, which includes Andrea Maldera, Ricard Segarra, Marcattilio Marcattilii, Vincenzo Teresa, Agostino Tibaudi, Marcello Quinto and Enrico Venturelli, will also leave after Brighton’s final Premier League match.
The Italian manager said: ‘I am very sad to be leaving Brighton, 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 historical 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.’
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom, meanwhile, said: ‘Roberto has given us two excellent seasons of service in which he has led the club to new heights, not least our first ever European campaign which will live long in the memory of Albion fans.
‘We have mutually agreed to end Roberto’s contract at a time that suits both parties allowing us the earliest opportunity to plan for next season, and Roberto plenty of time to consider his next move and his future.
‘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.
‘In the meantime, 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.’
De Zerbi, who managed Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk before Brighton, has been tentatively linked with Manchester United this year as Erik ten Hag fights to save his job at Old Trafford.
Brighton say club coaches Andrew Crofts and Jack Stern will remain at the club following De Zerbi’s departure.
The Seagulls are believed to be interested in hiring Kieran McKenna as De Zerbi’s replacement. McKenna, 38, has just won promotion to the Premier League with Ipswich Town.
While Brighton can finish no higher than 10th regardless of their result against Manchester United, Ten Hag’s side have European spots to play for and want to find some momentum ahead of next weekend’s FA Cup final.
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