Brighton

Brighton

Premier League • England

Next Brighton manager: Celtic on edge after Postecoglou myth is dispelled and Seagulls are taken aback by key trait

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is being considered to become the next Brighton manager contrary to reports, and one way in which he impressed Seagulls officials has been revealed.

Chelsea’s decision to sack Thomas Tuchel has started a chain of events that could leave the Scottish Champions vulnerable. Tuchel was axed less than 100 days into the new ownership’s reign last Wednesday.

Todd Boehly and his Clearlake partners clearly had a plan in mind, taking less than 36 hours to appoint Tuchel’s successor.

Brighton’s Graham Potter was bought out of his contract on the south coast. To bring the rising Englishman and five of his backroom staff to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea reportedly paid a hefty £22m sum.

Under-21s coach, Andrew Crofts, was installed as the interim head coach of the first team. However, given last weekend’s Premier League fixture cancellations and the uncertainty surrounding next weekend’s, Brighton have room to breathe in their search for a new manager.

The Telegraph named Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen and former Sassuolo manager Roberto De Zerbi as early contenders. Widespread reports elsewhere have also put Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou in the frame.

The 57-year-old Australian is riding the crest of a wave after securing a league and league cup double in his first season at Celtic Park.

That helped the Hoops to secure Champions League football where they earned rave reviews for their adventurous style of play in a valiant 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid last week.

Reports across the media have questioned whether Postecoglou is actually on Brighton’s radar, as well as if he’d be open to moving. However, a fresh update from the Sunday Times has cleared the fog.

Postecoglou wows Brighton chiefs

They claim, Postecoglou is indeed on Brighton’s radar. The Sunday Times term the situation as Postecoglou being under ‘serious consideration’.

The report dispels the notion he is on a four-man shortlist, however. In fact, it’s claimed no such shortlist or that size has yet been drafted.

Instead, Brighton have compiled a much longer list that includes Postecoglou and the club are conducting their ‘due diligence’ before narrowing down the field.

However, Brighton’s early impression of the Celtic boss appears to be all positive.

It’s noted aside from Celtic’s obvious on-field progression, Brighton chiefs were also left impressed with the calm manner in which he dealt with the media last term.

Celtic struggled in the season’s early going last year at a time when a sizeable chunk of their transfer plans were still undetermined.

Postecoglou faced stern criticism in the media, but kept his cool. It was a response that Brighton’s hierarchy duly took note of.

The Telegraph reported that if Brighton do come calling, Postecoglou is unlikely to abandon the project he’s building in Glasgow this soon.

However, it’s unquestionable the lure of a Premier League move could influence any decision he’d forced to make in the coming weeks. Furthermore, it stands to reason Brighton will be able to offer a higher salary.