Brighton appoint Roberto De Zerbi as manager to replace Graham Potter

Brighton have made Roberto De Zerbi their new manager, with the Italian signing a four-year deal.

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

De Zerbi met with the club owner, Tony Bloom, the chief executive, Paul Barber, and the technical director, David Weir, a few days ago and flew into Sussex on Friday night before watching a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon. As a mark of respect on the day of the Queen’s funeral, De Zerbi will not be formally introduced to the media until afternoon.

De Zerbi’s 14 months at Shakhtar came to an end in July, as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Shakhtar were top of the table when last season had to be abandoned.

Bloom said: “I am absolutely thrilled Roberto has agreed to become our new head coach. Roberto’s teams play an exciting and courageous brand of football and I am confident his style and tactical approach will suit our existing squad superbly.”

Weir said: “Roberto has shown his undoubted ability with his work in Italy and Ukraine, and what he achieved at Sassuolo certainly stands out. In his short spell with Shakhtar he enjoyed further success, leading the club to cup success and topping the Ukrainian league before the war brought an abrupt halt to his time there.

“We are delighted to welcome Roberto and we look forward to introducing him to our squad as well as providing all the support he needs to introduce his coaching philosophy and help the players continue their brilliant start to the season.”

Barber, who is also deputy chairman, said: “We looked at a range of excellent candidates but Roberto was