Hope Powell resigns as Brighton manager

Hope Powell has resigned from her role as Brighton manager, bringing an end to her five-year spell with the club.

Brighton were beaten 8-0 at home by Tottenham on Sunday and currently sit second bottom in the WSL, with three points from five games.

Assistant boss Amy Merricks will take interim charge of Brighton's next WSL clash against West Ham on Sunday, assisted by Alex Penny and Perry Northeast.

“We’ve had a very challenging start to the new season with many changes to our squad and results not going as we had all hoped," said Powell. "Sunday’s heavy loss at home to Tottenham was particularly disappointing.

“As a club, we’ve made a lot of progress in the past five years, but I feel now is the right time to step aside and allow a new coach to take the team forward with plenty of Super League football still to play this season.”

The former England boss took charge of Brighton in July 2017 and guided the club to two ninth place finishes, seventh place last term, and the club’s best finish - sixth place - during the 2020/21 campaign.

Brighton have an ambitious vision in the WSL, outlining their aim of breaking into the top four with their 'pathway to the top four' strategy in April 2022, while their bespoke, £10.5m elite performance centre has been in use since September 2021.

However, the Seagulls had a summer of high squad turnover, losing key players Inessa Kaagma, Danique Kerkdijk, Emma Koivisto, Ellie Brazil and Maya Le Tissier.

They have endured a tough start to the 2022/23 WSL campaign, with their 2-1 victory over Reading their only three points of the season thus far following defeats to Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham.

“Hope’s contribution to the development of women’s and girls’ football at our club, and for the women's game in this country, cannot be underestimated," said Michelle Walder, chair of Brighton & Hove Albion’s women’s and girls’ football club board

“Hope has established Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women's Super League, has overseen the opening of a new state-of-the-art women’s and girls’ teams training facility at our club, and has undoubtedly inspired further generations of young girls to play football. We wish her well for the future.”