Brighton & Hove Albion Women are searching for a new head coach after Dario Vidošić's sudden departure for the United States. The 39-year-old Australian will leave his role just one week before the Women's Super League season kicks off, as reported by Telegraph Sport this week.
Vidošić is set to join a club in the National Women's Soccer League, with Angel City believed to be his destination. His move marks the second managerial exit from the WSL this summer, following Marc Skinner's departure from Manchester United earlier this month. Brighton host Arsenal in their opening match on September 6, and the club now faces a frantic search for leadership ahead of that fixture.
Why is this such a significant loss?
Dario Vidošić's exit is a huge blow for Brighton's ambitions. In his first and only season in charge, he led the team to their highest-ever WSL finish of fifth place. He also guided Brighton to their first-ever Women's FA Cup final, where they were defeated 4-0 by Manchester City. That historic campaign established him as a key figure in the club's progress.
His influence extended beyond results. Vidošić was instrumental in shaping the squad this summer, both in bringing new players to the club and in convincing others to stay. He arrived in the summer of 2024 and, alongside Chelsea's Sonia Bompastor, became the joint-longest serving manager in the WSL by the time of his departure. The club's stated goal of challenging for European football now faces a major setback.
What happens next for Brighton?
The immediate priority is appointing a successor before the season begins. Brighton did not wish to comment when contacted by Telegraph Sport about the situation. The timing is far from ideal, with the squad having been assembled under Vidošić's vision. Supporters can track the team's upcoming challenges on our fixtures page, which includes the daunting opener against Arsenal.
Internally, the decision was made that it was better for Vidošić to leave now rather than midway through the WSL season. This provides a slim window for the club to act. The new coach will inherit a squad that showed real promise last term and will need to build on that foundation quickly. You can view the full roster Vidošić helped build on our squad page.
Where is Vidošić going?
Vidošić is heading to the NWSL, but he will not take charge of his new team immediately. The next NWSL season does not start until February 2027. His intended club, reported to be Angel City, currently has Leif Smerud as interim manager. That club intends to appoint a new permanent head coach ahead of the 2027 campaign, which aligns with Vidošić's availability.
This transatlantic move continues a trend of managerial movement between the leagues. For Vidošić, a former Australia international, it represents a new challenge after a successful but brief stint in England. His departure leaves a considerable void at Brighton, where he had quickly become a central figure in the project.
The search for a new head coach is now the most important task at the club. With the season imminent, the new appointment must quickly understand the squad's dynamics and the club's ambitions. The standings from last season show the fifth-place finish that set a new benchmark, and the next manager will be expected to at least match that. Brighton's pre-season plans have been thrown into disarray, and the board must move swiftly to ensure a promising project does not stall before a ball is kicked.
