CHRIS HUGHTON HAS been appointed the new manager of Championship strugglers Brighton and Hove Albion.
The 56-year-old, who has been out of work since parting company with Norwich City back in April, has been given a three-and-a-half year contract and is tasked with leading the South coast club out of trouble after a dismal first-half of the season.
The former Republic of Ireland assistant emerged as the front-runner to take charge at the Amex Stadium following the departure of Sami Hyypia before Christmas.
“I’m thrilled to be back in management and Brighton & Hove Albion is a fantastic club, with a first-class infrastructure both in footballing and business terms,” Hughton told the club’s website.
“We’ve got one very obvious initial challenge, and I am aiming to hit the ground running, but I am confident with the resources at the club we can succeed in retaining our status in the Championship.
“Once that is achieved we can work towards getting the club back challenging at the top end of the division.”
Brighton currently sit just one place above the Championship relegation zone after a barren run of form which saw the Seagulls win just once in 18 league games under Hyypia.
Hughton’s credentials at Championship level are impressive. After succeeding Kevin Keegan as Newcastle boss, he led the club to promotion from the second-tier in 2010 and then guided Birmingham City to the play-offs two seasons later.
“Chris has an excellent record in coaching and management. He’s hugely respected, both nationally and internationally, and he has great contacts within the game,” Brighton Chairman Tony Bloom said of his new manager.
“He is someone who has a real wealth of experience in the top two divisions, from nearly 15 years at Spurs as a coach, assistant and interim manager, through to his more recent work in the Premier League and Championship.
“Importantly, we also felt Chris is someone who can improve our immediate situation, while also having the management credentials and skills to plan our long-term future and help us to get back to progressing in the way we have in previous seasons.”
Hughton’s first game in charge will be Saturday’s FA Cup Third round tie against Brentford.
