The vacant hotseat at the Amex Stadium has been the subject of significant paper talk in the last week or so. Since Roberto De Zerbi and the Seagulls amicably parted ways, reports suggested that Brighton had a number-one target already defined. That target was said to be Ipswich Town boss, Kieran McKenna.
After lengthy discussions with McKenna’s representatives, Brighton’s CEO Paul Barber believed they’d secured their man. That’s despite the likes of managerless Chelsea also declaring a firm interest in his services. However, at the eleventh hour, the Northern Irishman appears to have had a change of heart, reportedly agreeing a new long-term contract with Ipswich.
Many within footballing circles were slightly disenchanted by reports of McKenna’s departure from the Tractor Boys after steering them to back-to-back promotions. The Suffolk club’s American owners have seemingly moved heaven and earth to reward him for his success so far, with a bumper contract which will make him one of the top ten highest-paid managers in the Premier League.
Ipswich certainly need McKenna if they are to stand a chance of top-flight survival, although they aren’t considered the biggest favourites for the drop in the 24/25 season. According to bet365, which is ranked in the top three of the list of bookies offering free bets on Oddschecker, Ipswich are priced at 1.90 for relegation next term, which is the same odds as Everton and higher than Leicester (1.44).
Will Bloom really look backwards to Potter or is his name a red herring?
With McKenna seemingly off the table as De Zerbi’s long-term replacement, reports suggest that former Albion boss, Graham Potter, is the back-up option. Potter has been out of work since being unceremoniously fired by Chelsea after less than a year at the Stamford Bridge helm. Could he be ready to return to the helm and if so, would a second spell at Brighton be the right match?
For many Brighton fans, recruiting Potter for a second spell on the Sussex coast would amount to a backward step. Some supporters were less-than-enamoured with the pace and risk-free nature of his style of football. However, Potter will have learnt a lot about his time at Brighton, as well as Chelsea, and is intelligent enough to adapt and evolve.
Nevertheless, the reappointment of Potter would feel at odds with the legacy of owner, Tony Bloom, who has worked tirelessly to ensure the club has never stood still in the last decade. To that end, it’s possible that Potter is being used by the Seagulls’ hierarchy as a red herring, giving the club free reign to negotiate with genuine alternatives.
Who are the alternatives?
One leftfield suggestion in recent days has been Malmo manager Henrik Rydstrom. The 48-year-old Swede won the Allsvenskan in his first season with Malmo FF with his unique eye-catching style of football. Earlier this year, Sky Sports labelled him Europe’s most innovative coach, due to his rejection of positional structure and a preference for extreme overloads in a bid to suffocate the opposition.
Former player Liam Rosenior is another who may be in contention. Rosenior has demonstrated a managerial maturity that’s belied his years, having taken charge of Derby and Hull in recent seasons. He was even shortlisted for the EFL Championship Manager of the Year this term.
Brighton-born Russell Martin may also come into the equation if Albion can tempt him to the Amex Stadium. However, having guided Southampton back to the top-flight via the playoffs, the former Swansea and Milton Keynes Dons boss may feel a sense of loyalty to the Saints in the same way McKenna has with Ipswich.
Whichever way this situation goes, Bloom and Barber will want a speedy resolution in the next week or so. As we enter June, the transfer market will start to bubble away and it’s important for De Zerbi’s replacement to have his feet under the table to have some serious conversations regarding squad building.
