LIAM ROSENIOR has emerged as a contender in the race to become new Brighton manager.
Albion are stepping up their search for a coach to take over from Roberto de Zerbi, who left after the final game defeat to Manchester United.
Rosenior was a guest of Brighton’s directors for last week’s home match against Chelsea.
He was sacked by Championship side Hull earlier this month after the team failed to make the Play Offs – finishing seventh.
But he is seen as an enterprising, young coach in much the same way as Graham Potter was when he was hired by Brighton after managing in in the EFL with Swansea City.
Rosenior faces fierce competition for the job from promoted Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna who has been heavily linked with Brighton.
Rosenior, 39, played for Albion and coached their under 23 sides early in his managerial career.
He has also been linked to other Championship sides including Sunderland.
Russell Martin, Francesco Farioli, Will Still, Thomas Frank and Steve Cooper are also among those that have been linked with the job.
Potter has also been tipped for a sensational return to Sussex.
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Potter left the Amex Stadium to become Chelsea manager in September 2022, but he was sacked seven months later and is yet to find another job.
Man Utd are also understood to be interested in the ex-Brighton boss.
Outgoing midfielder Adam Lallana has urged Brighton fans to be patient with whoever takes over from De Zerbi.
He said: “I’m gutted we couldn’t give Roberto the send-off he deserves for everything he’s done at this football club.
“It’s important that the fans stay patient with whoever the new manager is.
“I think Brighton have extremely overachieved in the last couple of years. Roberto is a huge part of that.
“It’s important as a football club that we say thanks to him because he was the gold-dust on top, in my opinion, that got us to Europe, that got us to creating history here.”
By Tom Barclay
ADAM LALLANA has called for Brighton fans to be patient with Roberto De Zerbi’s successor – as the club have “extremely overachieved” in recent years.
Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat to Manchester United was De Zerbi’s last game in charge after the Italian decided to call it quits after failing to agree on the club’s vision going forward.
That was despite having no job offers lined up and still having two years remaining on his contract.
It was also the final Seagulls appearance for Lallana, who has left after four years with the South-Coast side which saw the team play in Europe for the first time ever.
The former Liverpool and England star, 36, said: “I’m gutted we couldn’t give Roberto the send-off he deserves for everything he’s done at this football club.
“It’s important that the fans stay patient with whoever the new manager is.
“I think Brighton have extremely overachieved in the last couple of years. Roberto is a huge part of that.
“It’s important as a football club that we say thanks to him because he was the gold-dust on top, in my opinion, that got us to Europe, that got us to creating history here.
“I’ve been extremely fortunate that our paths crossed in the last couple of years and I’m forever grateful for that.”
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna is among the names in the frame to take over from De Zerbi.
Brighton finished 11th but have a number of exciting young players including Valentin Barco, Joao Pedro and Simon Adingra on their books.
Asked what state the Seagulls are currently in, Lallana replied: “Extremely good.
“You only have to look at the numbers, the turnover, the young talent that is out there. Of course they will have blips in the road but it’s an extremely well-run football club. They’ll bounce back next year for sure.
“It’s such a wonderful job for whoever is fortunate enough to take it.”
