Next Brighton Manager Odds: McKenna 4/9 fav to replace De Zerbi

It came as a massive shock to Seagulls fans and the casual observer alike at the weekend, when it was announced that Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi would be leaving the Sussex-based club at the end of the season. 

Chairman Tony Bloom and the Italian have come to a mutual agreement that De Zerbi would leave, just under half way through his four-year contract, having taken Albion to their highest ever top-flight finish last year and securing European football along the way. 

But who will be the man who fills the popular 44-year-old's shoes at the AMEX Stadium? We've taken a look at the favourites, including the hottest name in English football at the moment...

Kieran McKenna @ 4/9

The Northern Irishman is the name on everyone's lips following a miraculous job in Suffolk, taking Ipswich Town from 12th spot in League 1 to the hallowed ground of the Premier League in under three years.

The former Manchester United U18s and first team coach took over from Paul Cook at Portman Road and took the sleeping giants back into the top tier after back-to-back promotions. His feat of promotion from the Championship at the first time of asking earnt the 38-year-old the Manager of the Season award and promoted his name to one of the most heavily sought in European football.

It looks like McKenna won't be leading the Tractor Boys into their Premier League campaign as Brighton are confident they've got their man to replace De Zerbi.

Francesco Farioli @ 4/1

The current Nice manager is a former member of De Zerbi's staff, having worked as goalkeeper coach under him at Benevento and Sassuolo. The 35-year-old had previously been successful in Turkey and took Nice to a fifth-placed finish last term in Ligue 1. He would represent a line of succession in following the Italian.

Russell Martin @ 8/1

The third favourite is the current Southampton boss Russell Martin, who is a Brighton native and represented the academy as a boy. A return to his hometown could be a dream for the 38-year-old Scot but of course will depend heavily on whether he wins promotion to the Premier League with his current club, when they do battle against Leeds in the Championship play-off final on Sunday.

Graham Potter @ 12/1

The 49-year-old is of course a former manager on the south coast, before he jumped ship for Chelsea back in 2022, a spell that turned into a disaster for the up-and-coming Englishman.

Potter has been linked to several top-flight jobs since but this one looks fairly unlikely given the nature of his departure. He did, however, have a hugely successful spell at the AMEX, leading Brighton to their highest ever finish, before De Zerbi himself broke that record.

Liam Rosenior @ 12/1

Rosenior was harshly let go by Hull City after they failed to make the Championship play-offs but is still a hugely promising new managerial talent.

The 39-year-old also has links to Brighton, having finished his playing career there in 2018. In his 18 months on Humberside, Rosenior employed a stylish way of playing the game and won a lot of admirers. However, he won just 34% of his games in change at Hull, despite spending heavily in the summer.

Vincent Kompany @ 14/1

The Burnley manager was the flavour of the month this time last year, having led the Clarets to the Championship title and led many (including myself) to predict a comfortable return to the top flight.That didn't materialise though, as they were relegated alongside fellow promoted strugglers Sheffield United and Luton Town.

Kompany has great contacts in the game though and you get the feeling he could step up levels with a better standard of squad at his disposal.

Carlos Corberan @ 20/1

Another Championship manager and another highly regarded tactical mind in the game, Carlos Corberan failed again in the play-offs with West Bromwich Albion, having been put to the sword by Southampton in the semi-finals.

He also failed at the last hurdle with Huddersfield Town in 2022, where they were controversially beaten by Nottingham Forest. While Corberan may be destined for bigger things, this one appears unlikely.

You can find the rest of the managers listed in our Next Brighton Manager Odds market here.

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