Chris Hughton has paid the price for a poor second season in the Premier League at Brighton and Hove Albion.
The man who finally got the Seagulls into the English top flight has been axed from the Amex Stadium after four-and-a-half years at the south coast club.
Brighton’s survival wasn’t quite by the skin of their teeth, but owner Tony Bloom decided finishing two points above the drop was a litle too close for comfort.
A new manager will lead the Seagulls in their third successive Premier League season next term, and Swansea City boss Graham Potter is the hot favourite at a best-price 2/5 with Bethard after a solid season in South Wales.
While Potter didn’t ultimately get the Swans into contention for a Championship play-off place, the Liberty Stadium squad underwent something of a major overhaul following their relegation from the top flight back in 2018.
Clear first choice
He remains a highly regarded young coach after sterling work in Sweden taking Ostersund from obscurity through the divisions into the Allsvenskan and to domestic cup success.
Potter, who has previously been linked with Celtic, would surely be attracted by the prospect of coaching at Premier League level and is the clear preferred choice of Brighton’s board.
He has brought young players through at Swansea and made them into first team regulars, with notable examples including Wales winger Daniel James and Scotland forward Oli McBurnie.
There are no obvious alternatives as successor to Hughton at the Seagulls at this stage with the change made out of a fear or stagnation, or worse decline.
A formal approach from Brighton is expected by the Swans in the coming days and, as with previous Liberty Stadium bosses like Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers, everyone – even the manager – has their price.
Bet of the Day: 2/5 with Bethard, Graham Potter in the next Brighton manager betting.
