Brighton & Hove Albion Women are searching for a new head coach after Dario Vidosic stepped down from the role this week. The 39-year-old's departure, first reported by the Daily Telegraph, comes a little over a week before the new Women's Super League season begins.
Vidosic, a Croatia-born former Australia midfielder, had been in charge for two years. He is understood to be the leading candidate for the vacant head coach position at Angel City in the NWSL. His exit is considered a blow to Brighton, where he had been popular with supporters.
Why did Dario Vidosic leave Brighton?
Dario Vidosic left to pursue a new opportunity. In a statement, he said the decision was difficult but necessary. "I have loved my time at the Albion and am proud of what we have achieved together," Vidosic said. "Leaving has been a difficult decision, but I believe it is the right time for me and my family to begin a new chapter."
The potential move to Angel City is with a view to starting work before the 2027 NWSL season. The Los Angeles-based club are currently ninth in the NWSL and two points off the playoffs. Sources close to Angel City say they are very happy with interim head coach Leif Smerud, the former Crystal Palace manager, leading the team for the rest of this season. An Angel City spokesperson said they are making progress with finalists for their head coach position but are not planning to appoint anyone until after the end of the 2026 campaign.
What did Vidosic achieve at Brighton?
During his two-year tenure, Vidosic led Brighton to significant milestones. He guided the team to their highest-ever WSL finish, a fifth-place finish in 2025. Last term, the team finished seventh. His most notable achievement was leading Brighton to their first Women's FA Cup final appearance at Wembley in May. Zoe Johnson, the women's and girls' managing director at Brighton, acknowledged his impact. "We would like to thank Dario for his contribution over the past two years," Johnson said. "During his time with the club, he led us to our highest-ever WSL finish and our first Women’s FA Cup final."
The departure is understood to have surprised many members of the Brighton squad. It leaves the club in a challenging position just before the new season. You can view the full squad he leaves behind on our squad page.
What happens next for Brighton?
Brighton's immediate priority is recruiting a new head coach. The team's first match of the new WSL season is a visit from Arsenal on 6 September. This fixture is part of a demanding opening schedule, which you can see on our fixtures page. The club must now act quickly to ensure stability ahead of this crucial match and the rest of the campaign.
The search for a successor will be a key test for the club's leadership. They will need to find a manager capable of building on the progress made under Vidosic. The new coach will inherit a team that has shown it can compete at the top end of the WSL. Fans will be watching closely to see how the club navigates this unexpected change. The current league standings show the competitive landscape the new manager will face.
Vidosic's next steps appear to be in the United States, where he is greatly admired by Angel City. His work at Brighton, particularly the run to Wembley, has clearly enhanced his reputation internationally. For Brighton, the focus is entirely on the future and ensuring this setback does not derail their season before it has even begun.
