Brighton & Hove Albion

A new episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast is now available on BBC Sounds.

The team discuss the changes to the Seagulls' technical structure and look ahead to Tottenham's trip to the Amex on Saturday - plus hear from Joel Veltman after the defeat by Bournemouth.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

Joe Sayers
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Expectation versus reality is a hard thing to balance, especially given the meteoric growth of Brighton ever since our promotion to the Premier League in 2017.

Though the rise has been relatively quick in the grand scheme of things, our wage figures show that we are continuing to grow smartly and sustainably.

We have had a taste of Europe now, and the noise from above says the club's aim is to continue to shake up the top half of the Premier League, even with only the 15th-highest wage bill in the whole league - ahead of only two of the promoted three, Brentford, Bournemouth and Wolves.

Yes, we have spent a bucketload of money over the past few summer transfer windows - so naturally the expectation is for these signings to make an immediate impact and continue to propel the club forwards.

But the reality is we have had to replace some hugely influential figures and there will always be some short-term suffering as you wait for the new parts to get up to speed.

The worry is that we will constantly be in a cycle of transition as we pay the price for our consistent knack of replacing what we had before with sometimes even better prospects. The hope is that said cycle is not a weakness, but a great strength - a cycle that allows us to continue to push the limits while we continue to build strong foundations.

When you look at the numbers, last season's eighth-place finish was again punching above our financial weight, and while Fabian Hurzeler continues to mould his side to challenge the establishment on the pitch, the club will keep reinforcing that message off it.

Find more from Joe Sayers at Albion Obsessed, external

How are you feeling about things at Brighton? Are you worried about a "constant cycle of transition" or hopeful that cycle "is a great strength"?

Get in touch with your views here

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Brighton have confirmed that Jason Ayto has joined the club as sporting director.

The appointment follows the departure of David Weir as technical director last week after seven years with the Seagulls.

Ayto left Arsenal at the end of last season after holding several technical roles, including assistant sporting director to Edu, during more than a decade with the Gunners.

He was promoted to the role of interim sporting director at Arsenal last November following Edu's departure, having previously working in a senior role in academy recruitment at Norwich City.

"I'm honoured to be appointed sporting director at Brighton & Hove Albion and I'm very grateful to Tony Bloom, Paul Barber and the board for this opportunity," he said.

"This is a special club, admired across the footballing world for its culture, ambition and smart thinking, all of which has underpinned some remarkable progress in recent years.

"To be joining at a time when there is such a strong desire to build on those excellent foundations, innovate further, and bring success is incredibly exciting."

Deputy chairman and chief executive Paul Barber added: "We are all very much looking forward to working with one of the most talented young sporting directors in the country."

Meanwhile, Brighton assistant technical director Mike Cave has been promoted to the role of technical director.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Lee: Hard fought win for the Cherries. Definitely played the better football and deserved the win but we always have close games with the Seagulls. I am really positive about what lies ahead!

Peter: Antoine Semenyo bullies defences, while Alex Scott is emerging as a skilful number 10. At the back, there are already signs that Bournemouth won't concede many this season.

Charl: Veljko Milosavljevic had a very good debut, he grew in confidence as the game progressed. We need to work on our corner taking, it's wasteful and lacking in any kind of threat. James Hill needs to concentrate for 90 minutes, he failed to pick up their scorer again.

Keith: What a glowing endorsement of the recruitment team at Bournemouth to discover such talented defenders to replace those who have left. Bring on Newcastle!

Brighton fans

Fran: Just in previous games, good at times, poor at other times. I have said it before - we are too slow in our build-up play. We really should have gone for an experienced striker. It is all very well signing young players and giving them time to adapt, but we need players now. I hope not but I think this is going to be a struggle this season.

Andy: Dunk is too slow for the modern game. If he remains at the heart of the defence, Brighton will continue to struggle. I find it incomprehensible that Hurzeler cannot see the problem.

Mark: On paper our squad looks decent despite all the outgoings. Worry for me is that I'm not sure if our conductor is good enough to mould them into a team that can play.

Joe: Back to drab and toothless. There's no way we'll get anywhere near Europe - Tony's stated aim for this year - if we have a season playing football like Saturday and three of the four games played so far. I worry for Hurzeler if the trend continues.

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David Weir says he is "really proud" of what he achieved at Brighton and wishes "everyone well for the future".

The announcement of Weir's departure last week came as a shock as owner Tony Bloom cited wanting to taking the club in a "new direction".

Weir joined the club as pathway development manager in 2018 and went on to succeeded Dan Ashworth as technical director in May 2022.

"It is the right time for me to leave, but I will reflect on an incredible period with the club, and I am really proud of what we have achieved - especially introducing some special players to the Premier League and our European adventure," said Weir.

"I had an excellent mentor in Dan Ashworth before stepping into the role, and I've also had the privilege of working with three exceptional men's head coaches in Graham Potter, Roberto de Zerbi and Fabian Hurzeler.

"The club has an incredible amount of talent across both the men's and women's squads, while the academy works so hard to develop future talent which will serve the club well.

"I'd like to thank the coaches, players and the staff for their help and support throughout my time at Brighton & Hove Albion - they have all worked so hard to help the club progress.

"I'll always be grateful to Tony, Paul and the board for giving me the opportunity at Brighton, and I would like to wish everyone well for the future."

Pundits Ashley Williams and Shay Given join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Everton 0-0 Aston Villa

• Newcastle 1-0 Wolves

• West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist

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Losing two players and conceding so early in the game was a definite knock for Brighton, who struggled to get going for far too long and did not manage to maintain any periods of momentum.

They were dangerous for short bursts after the restart and managed to equalise, but Bournemouth always seemed in control and the more likely victors.

The second-half penalty typified their shortcomings as Lewis Dunk misplaced a pass to allow the Cherries to counter and Jan Paul van Hecke unnecessarily placed his leg in a position where Evanilson could easily draw a foul.

There were some elements which will please manager Fabian Hurzeler, such as the tireless work of winger Yankuba Minteh, but clear positives were few and far between.

Having to make two early substitutions prevented the quadruple change which proved so effective in their 2-1 win against Manchester City, and they were unable to turn things around this time.

The Seagulls were not fluid enough, lacked sharpness and just were not as lively as their opponents.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's defeat by Bournemouth: "I think we don't have to lose this game. We controlled the game quite well, we had chances, the first goal was unlucky when we had 10 men on the pitch. The second goal was an easy mistake. It feels disappointing but we have to show a reaction."

On Jack Hinshelwood and Maxim De Cuyper's injuries: "I didn't see them yet so I have to watch it back. Hopefully not the worst but it's an adversity that we have to face. The team reacted in a good way."

On Antoine Semenyo's shove on Maxim De Cuyper: "I heard the thoughts but sometimes it's better to say nothing."

You don't want to get in trouble?: "No."

On Brighton's away form: "We can't be happy but we have to keep on going, focus on our performances and then results will come."

Did you know?

• Kaoru Mitoma has been directly involved in six goals across six Premier League appearances against Bournemouth (five goals, one assist) - which is twice as many involvements than he has managed against any other opponent in the top-flight.

Hear more from Hurzeler on BBC Sounds

Hear from Veltman

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Jason Ayto has agreed to become the new Brighton sporting director, replacing David Weir, who left the club on Friday.

The confirmation of former Arsenal executive Ayto's appointment will arrive in next few days.

Ayto left north London earlier this year following the appointment of Andrea Berta as the club's sporting director.

The ex-Gunners administrator had risen to the position of Arsenal's acting sporting director and played a key role in a number of the club's most high profile transfers in recent years.

But he will now take on a new position at the Amex Stadium following Weir's departure.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Bournemouth's performance

What did you make of Brighton's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Valjko Milosavljevic, who joined Bournemotuh on transfer deadline day, makes his first appearance as the Cherries make two changes from the side who beat Tottenham 1-0 before the international break.

James Hill also comes into the starting line-up, while Bafoda Diakite and Adam Smith are absent.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Truffert, Senesi, Brooks, Scott, Evanilson, Adams, Tavernier, Hill, Semenyo, Milosavljevic.

Subs: Dannis, Araujo, Cook, Soler, Gannon-Doak, Kluivert, Jimenez, Adli, Kroupi.

There are also two changes for Brighton, who beat Manchester City 2-1 in their last Premier League match.

James Milner, who scored a penalty in that victory, comes into the starting XI, as does forward Georginio Rutter.

Carlos Baleba drops to the bench, while Diego Gomez is absent.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Dunk, Van Hecke, Rutter, Minteh, Hinshelwood, Welbeck, Milner, Mitoma, De Cuyper, Veltman.

Subs: Steele, Gruda, Tzimas, Watson, Baleba, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Ayari, Coppola.

There are eight games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Arsenal v Nottingham Forest (12:30)

• Bournemouth v Brighton

• Crystal Palace v Sunderland

• Everton v Aston Villa - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Fulham v Leeds United

• Newcastle v Wolves - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• West Ham v Tottenham (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Brentford v Chelsea (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Aston Villa" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Wolves", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Both these teams had really good wins before the international break.

Bournemouth only beat Tottenham 1-0 but they absolutely hammered them, and could and should have scored more goals.

Brighton's victory over Manchester City was different in that they nicked the points late on - Erling Haaland was my Fantasy Premier League captain and he could have had a hat-trick for Pep Guardiola's side - but that was still an impressive result.

When I did my research for these predictions, I was a little surprised that the Seagulls did the double over the Cherries last season, winning 2-1 home and away.

I don't think Bournemouth will end up empty handed this time, though. I am going for a draw - an exciting one, not a boring one - on the south coast.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Sophie Brown
BBC Sport journalist

A south-coast derby between Bournemouth and Brighton, two sides who have bounced back after sluggish starts to the season.

After losing four of their first-choice back five over the summer, there was a lot of scrutiny on Bournemouth's new-look defence in the opening match of this campaign.

It didn't get off to a good start with a defeat by Liverpool, in which the Cherries conceded four goals and faced 19 shots, 10 of which were on target.

However, anyone who saw the match will know it was a more encouraging display than those stats suggested – and that has been borne out in their subsequent two league games.

Bournemouth were the only Premier League side to keep clean sheets in both the second and third matchdays, and faced both the fewest shots (11) and the fewest shots on target (two) in that time.

But on Saturday they are up against Brighton, who have won five of the past six league meetings between the sides and took all six points last season, in which they eventually finished six points and one place ahead of Bournemouth in the table in eighth and ninth respectively.

After going winless in their opening two games of 2025-26, the Seagulls thrashed Oxford United in the EFL Cup and then came from behind to beat Manchester City, and they will be hoping that the international break hasn't curtailed that momentum.

One man whose momentum shows no signs of slowing is evergreen midfielder James Milner, whose equalising spot-kick against City made him the oldest penalty scorer ever in the Premier League.

Brighton have scored a penalty in four of their past six Premier League matches, while in 2025 they have netted nine goals from the spot – four more than any other side – so 39-year-old Milner could well get a chance to extend his own record before too long.

• Hear more from Milner speaking to BBC Radio Sussex before the game against Bournemouth

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Premier League football is a brutal business and the brutal reality is that David Weir has effectively been sacked.

Weir was incredibly popular at Brighton. Following the shock exit of Dan Ashworth, he stepped into the technical director role after very little lead-in and, overall, has done really well. Club staff have been genuinely saddened by Friday's news.

However, owner Tony Bloom will never shy away from making big decisions if he feels they are the best thing for the club and there is a wider situation at play.

Brighton are a nimble operation and they are in the process of making big changes that tie into a medium-term strategy that will take the club to 2030.

Part of that involves appointing more female board members, another is the arrival of a chief technology officer - to bring new ideas and new energy to both the football and non-football side of the operation.

"Refresh, revitalise, re-energise" was the phrase repeated to me as the driver behind what Brighton are trying to do.

As you would expect of them, Brighton already know who Weir's replacement will be, although the announcement of that will have to wait for a little while so due acknowledgement for the Scot's work can be paid.

Club sources have stressed there is no fallout. Brighton simply want to go in a different direction.

To outsiders, Weir's exit is a shock. Some may question it.

However, after spending so long punching above their weight, Brighton's hierarchy have at least earned the right to be judged on what actually happens rather than what people think the outcome might be.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on David Weir leaving his role as Brighton technical director.

Here are some of your comments:

Billy: This is a strange move. I thought Weir had been excellent in his roles throughout the club in the past eight years. It's been a very strange summer - too many players leaving and an upheaval at the top of the club. I'm very worried about this season and what direction the club is going in.

Roger: In Tony Bloom we trust. I see three options... 1. We promote Gordon Greer, the current pathway manager, as was Weir; 2. We bring in a 'big name' from Europe; 3. Dan Ashworth returns 'tail between his legs'... Not very likely but Bloom is a poker player, so who knows!

Ben: I have every faith in Bloom's decisions. If he said he isn't the man for the job any more he's probably already got his replacement.

Adam: Brighton fans were told the news on Instagram with the coldest of posts by their admin - "We can confirm that David Weir has left Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club." That's it. We do trust Bloom but something must have happened behind the scenes none of us know about. Strange times.

Brighton owner Tony Bloom says the club "wish to refresh our technical area with new leadership and direction" as Albion confirmed the departure of David Weir.

Weir joined the club as pathway development manager in 2018 and went on to succeeded Dan Ashworth as technical director in in May 2022.

Bloom said: "David has served our club very well but we now wish to refresh our technical area with new leadership and direction. I'd like to thank David for everything he has done for us, and to wish him well for the future".

Chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber added: "I have greatly enjoyed working with David over the past eight years and have appreciated his support and hard work throughout this period."

Barber will oversee the technical areas at Brighton until a replacement is confirmed.

What do you make of Bloom's statement and Weir's departure? Do you trust the process, or are you worried by the news and the direction the club is taking?

Get in touch with your views here

Sean Byrne
BBC Sport researcher

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• No fresh injury concerns after the international break.

• On Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma and Diego Gomez returning from long-distance international duty: "They all returned in a good shape. Some didn't play the full games - especially Mitoma, who only played 20 minutes. Diego played a little longer, so he might be more tired, but overall they all look in a good shape. They are used to the long travels."

• On if Brajan Gruda is now ready to start: "Every player in our squad is ready to start. He had a very good appearance against Manchester City when he came on the pitch. He was away and had two games with Germany Under-21s. We try to give him more game time, but we have to decide if he starts tomorrow yet. He will be a very important player for the future regardless of if he starts tomorrow or not."

• On Charalampos Kostoulas' development: "He has unbelievable potential. Now we have to give him time to do things consistently. I expect him to be working hard in training sessions so that he shows the best reactions and adapts more to the intensity of the Premier League. We are still not where we want to have him, but we are getting closer."

• On Mats Wieffer's injury: "Let's see. There will be a training session today, and then we will see if he is 100% or not. He did miss so many training sessions, so we don't want any risk. We want to do things that make sense for him and the team."

• Reflecting on the start to the Premier League season, he said: "Overall, the performances were good. Of course we want more points, but we have to work on the basic things. We have to keep doing the things we did in the second half against Manchester City. With basics, we can win football games."

• On Bournemouth's start to the season: "Like last season, they are very difficult to play against. They showed the highest intensity in the league regarding sprint distance and they are very good in 50/50 moments. They play simple but effective [football]. They will be a big challenge but we go there to win the game. Let's see what we can do."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Is it a bad sign that Brighton sold more players than they bought in during the summer transfer window? That is one of the questions sent in via our 'Ask about Brighton' form.

Joao Pedro and Pervis Estupinan were sold, alongside other non first team players, for a total of £139m. The Seagulls spent £70m was on incomings.

I don't see the numbers as being an issue. Last season, Brighton had 19 players who started 10 or more Premier League games.

Fifteen have already started a game this term, even though it is only three matches old.

That figure only includes one of the players Brighton paid a significant fee for this summer and also excludes Olivier Boscagli, the 27-year-old Dutchman, who arrived on a free transfer after playing almost 200 games for PSV Eindhoven.

In addition, Solly March and James Milner have recovered from long term injuries and we can't be sure at this point if anyone from the academy will force their way into Fabian Hurzeler's squad.

With no Europe, Hurzeler has enough cover to cope. Brighton's ownership has proved so often they know what they are doing. Maybe one day, that will change.

But if it is this season, I can't think that the reason will be a lack of bodies.

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On Tuesday, our fan writer Scott McCarthy assessed the departures of Julio Enciso, Facundo Buonanotte and Pervis Estupinan during the summer transfer window.

He suggested Brighton lost too many flair players as Fabian Hurzeler moulds the side more in his own image.

Here are some of your comments:

David: Absolutely. They are needed often as substitutes when backs are to the wall. But let's see if any of our new players develop those talents, then I will judge.

Andrew: The current situation with our flair and game-changer players. I love Enciso and his unpredictable approach made us hard to beat. Buonanotte is an attacking, hard-working player. These players that are the future of the club are being hounded out. Without them, we fail to break stubborn teams down and offer a real challenge to the opposition. I am sad to see these players go.

Charlie: Although we may have lost a few so called 'flair players', I think we've probably kept our most creative and exciting. Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh are both some of the best players in the league at taking on a defender. If you can call a defensive midfielder a 'flair player', Carlos Baleba has to be one of the most fun to watch on his day, Also, I think the fact that we only took one point from our first two games, playing a defensive player in the number-10 position over Brajan Gruda against Manchester City was probably the right call.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Brighton striker Warren Aspinall says Carlos Baleba needs to improve his consistency after an indifferent start to the season.

The Cameroon midfielder was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer and has not hit the same heights as he did last season, with Aspinall suggesting his warm-ups are not intense enough.

"Hopefully the manager, along with Baleba, is putting it down to the Manchester United talks," Aspinall told BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited.

"I saw him warming up against Manchester City - it was like running around the park with his mates. Once you get to the ground, concentration levels have to be much better.

"He's one of the players who has let himself down. He has one great game, one good game and two bad ones. He needs to turn the bad games into good games.

"You can't switch it on like a tap - it's not that easy in the Premier League. High-intensity football is about closing down, winning loose balls and breaking forward.

"I have seen none of that this season."

Listen on BBC Sounds

Head coach Fabian Hurzeler highlights his substitutes' energy against Manchester City, BBC football writer Nizaar Kinsella discusses Chelsea's continual pursuit of Albion assets, plus there's a preview of the Seagulls' trip to Bournemouth.

Join Warren Aspinall and Guy Butter for the latest instalment of Albion Unlimited.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up