Fran Kirby discusses Vidosic departure and Brighton's tough start

Fran Kirby has opened up about the stress caused by Dario Vidosic's sudden exit from Brighton & Hove Albion Women just days before the new campaign. The former England striker said the timing of the head coach's departure on 28 August, nine days before the season opener against Arsenal, was a major disruption.

"It wasn't easy when I heard. I was a bit disappointed," Kirby said. She added, "I was stressed." Vidosic, who guided Brighton to their first FA Cup final and a club-record fifth-place finish in the 2024-25 season, left abruptly after finishing seventh last term. His replacement, former Real Sociedad manager Arturo Ruiz, was appointed the same day.

Kirby, a seven-time WSL winner with Chelsea, had a good relationship with Vidosic and described him as a fantastic coach. His exit damaged hopes for further progression after a season where the team was known for building patiently from the back. The transition to Ruiz's methods proved challenging, with Brighton failing to win any of their first four league games. They dropped points against Birmingham City and Aston Villa after the opening defeat by Arsenal, though they did win two League Cup matches.

Early struggles under Ruiz

Ruiz finally secured his first league victory before the October international break, a 5-1 thrashing of promoted Charlton Athletic. In that match, Kiko Seike scored twice and Kirby got on the scoresheet, with Maria Symonds and Gabrielle George adding late goals. Despite that boost, the team's form has remained inconsistent. They followed that win with a 3-2 loss away to Manchester City last Sunday. In that match, Brighton fought back from 3-0 down with goals from Oihane Garcia and Charlie Hayes, who was assisted by Kirby.

The team's recent fixtures show a pattern of struggle, with just one win in their last five outings (LLWLL). Top scorer Kiko Seike has three goals this season, but the overall results highlight the difficulty of adapting to a new philosophy mid-stream.

Contrasting styles and future focus

Kirby explained the tactical shift under the new manager. While Vidosic's Brighton focused on possession and controlled build-up, Ruiz prioritises winning the ball high up the pitch and attacking the opposition more directly. "We still want to play but now focus on harming the opposition quicker," Kirby said. "Previously we overplayed when we could have gone forward." This represents a significant change from a side that, under Vidosic, averaged more possession than all but the traditional top three.

Manager Arturo Ruiz has said he is happy with the work done but acknowledges the difficulty of building a clear identity quickly. He hopes for more solidity and consistency starting from the Manchester City match onward. The team now prepares for their next challenge at home to West Ham on 24 October, a game they will hope can provide a platform for more stable performances.

Read the full report at bbc.co.uk