Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi will leave the club after the final Premier League match of the season against Manchester United at the American Express Stadium tomorrow (Sunday 19 May).
De Zerbi, who joined Brighton in September 2022 after Graham Potter left for Chelsea, oversaw the club’s highest top-flight finish in 2022-23 and led the club to the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League earlier this season.
Albion chairman Tony Bloom 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 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.”
Perhaps the coach will board the United team bus adter the final whistle tomorrow.
Andrea Maldera, Ricard Segarra, Marcattilio Marcattilii, Vincenzo Teresa, Agostino Tibaudi, Marcello Quinto and Enrico Venturelli will also leave after the Manchester Unitrd game.
Club coaches Andrew Crofts and Jack Stern will remain with Brighton and Hove Albion.
He shouldn’t really be at the game tomorrow then as there will be a lot of ill feeling and abuse directed towards him. Look at Cucurella and Caicedo the other night… I dont agree with continually chanting that cucurella is a c**t all night and that a seagull has pooped all over caicedo’s head… so never mind what will be in store for rdz