Brighton & Hove Albion Women have appointed Arturo Ruiz as their new head coach after Dario Vidosic left the club to pursue a new opportunity. The announcement came just hours after Vidosic stepped down a week before the start of the Women’s Super League season.
Where does Arturo Ruiz come from and what is his coaching background?
Ruiz, aged 29, joins Brighton from Real Sociedad, where he became head coach in July 2025. His first managerial role was at Atlético Madrid, where he guided the team to a third-place finish in Liga F and secured Women’s Champions League qualification. He later had a stint at Granada CF before returning to Real Sociedad, again finishing third in the league.
What did Brighton say about the appointment and Vidosic’s exit?
Zoe Johnson, Brighton’s women’s and girls’ managing director, said: "We are delighted to welcome Arturo to the club." Vicosic said he has loved his time at Albion and is proud of what the club has achieved, adding that leaving was a difficult decision but the right time for him and his family to begin a new chapter. He thanked players, staff and supporters for their support.
How does this affect Brighton’s plans for the new season?
Brighton were tipped as a club capable of challenging Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United for a top-four place with a week to go before the new season. Vidosic’s departure is described as a massive blow to Brighton’s plans to close in on a top-four spot. Ruiz will join Brighton once his work permit is finalised and has only days before the Women’s Super League season kicks off.
What is Brighton’s current squad situation ahead of the season opener?
Currently sidelined: Evan Ferguson, Jack Hinshelwood, Kaoru Mitoma, Stefanos Tzimas, Yankuba Minteh, Georginio Rutter. Brighton will kick off their Women’s Super League season at home to Arsenal on Sunday 6 September at 12:00 BST. The club announced in April plans for Europe’s first purpose-built women’s stadium, costing around £80 million, and have signed big-name players such as England’s Euro 2022 winner Fran Kirby and Switzerland captain Lia Walti this summer.
The Spaniard’s clear style and recent appointments may put Brighton on the back foot at the start of the campaign, but the club remains focused on building on recent progress, including reaching the Women’s FA Cup final for the first time in club history in May and recording wins over Arsenal and Manchester City in the 2025-26 season.
