Yahoo Sports Brighton announce Dario Vidošić as new manager
Brighton and Hove Albion have appointed former Melbourne City boss Dario Vidošić as their new manager. The ex-Australia international has signed a three-year contract with the Women’s Super League side and will arrive in the UK once his work permit is processed.
Vidošić took over in charge of Melbourne City from his father Rado, and led them to the A-League title last season but lost to Sydney in the Women’s Grand Final. The 23-time capped Socceroo will replace Mikey Harris at Brighton, who took on an interim role following the dismissal of Melissa Phillips back in February.
Brighton have never been shy about their ambitions for the team. In 2021, they invested £8.5 million into a new training centre for their women’s teams. At the end of last year, they commenced searching for a site for a purpose-built women’s stadium. This would be the first of its kind in the UK.
That ambition has been somewhat tempered by instability, however. Vidošić will be the sixth manager — interim or permanent — since Hope Powell’s departure in October 2022.
But the Seagulls boast a squad with undoubted quality. The likes of Maria Thorisdóttir, Elisabeth Terland, Vicky Losada and Pauline Bremer were joined by Fran Kirby earlier this month. If Vidošić and Brighton can get things right, there’s an exciting chapter waiting to be written on the south-coast.
“From the start of the process to appoint our new head coach, Dario was someone who caught our eye as a young coach with a progressive outlook,” Brighton’s managing director of women’s and girls’ football Zoe Johnson said. “He has a playing style and philosophy that aligns with how we want Brighton and Hove Albion teams to play. We are really excited to start working with Dario to prepare for the upcoming WSL season.”
