Oscar Garcia: Brighton boss proud of players' achievement
- Published
Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Oscar Garcia insists "it has been a very good season" despite losing heavily to Derby County in the Championship play-offs.
The Seagulls only secured a sixth-place finish when Leonardo Ulloa headed a last-minute winner at Nottingham Forest in the final game of the league season.
That set up a semi-final tie with Derby which they lost 6-2 on aggregate after a 4-1 second-leg away defeat on Sunday.
"I couldn't be prouder of my players - Derby were just better," said Garcia.
"There was not much we could do about that. We are disappointed, but if you see the whole picture, it has been a very good season."
Brighton lost to Crystal Palace in the play-offs last campaign, a setback that ultimately led to the departure of boss Gus Poyet.
His exit prompted the arrival of Garcia, who recovered from a slow start at the club to clinch a top-six finish courtesy of an eight-match unbeaten run.
When asked about planning for next season at the Amex Stadium, the Spaniard appeared coy on his future.
"The squad gave me everything and it has been a real pleasure to be their manager," 41 year-old Garcia told BBC Sussex.
"We have dealt with a lot of injury problems this season, and I have to tell the players I am very proud of them, then we will see what happens."
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