By Tim Hodges
Brighton and Hove Albion have appointed the Finnish former Liverpool centre half Sami Hyypia as new first team manager.
Hyypia, who joins on a three-year contract, replaces Oscar Garcia who resigned last month.
Hyypia was part of the Liverpool team that won the Champions League in 2005. And most recently he managed the German Bundesliga team Bayer Leverkusen.
The new Albion boss said: “I am absolutely thrilled by this appointment. Brighton and Hove Albion are an ambitious club and I am very pleased to have been given this opportunity.
“I’ve held extensive talks with the chairman Tony Bloom and chief executive Paul Barber.
“I have looked at the club from top to bottom and I am very impressed by what I’ve seen at all levels.
“I’ve seen the Amex Stadium and the club’s new training ground and they are among the best I’ve seen anywhere in the world.
“I’ve also already met some of the key staff including Nathan Jones, the club’s head of football David Burke, and Dr Helge Riepenhoff, head of medical and sports science, and I am very much looking forward to working with all of them.”
Most important thing is clearly that he won the champions league in 2005.
I thought he did a great job with Bayer, identified great young talent and brought them through playing some exciting football.
His team really under performed against United, granted, but they started the season so well and I believe the board thought that they might of had a chance to go further and challenge further in the Bundesliga. He effectively was the bringer of his own downfall which is unfortunete, clearly his team was playing well and with a squad that was so thin, the burn out was bound to happen.
I think he will prove himself a very good manager with Brighton and I wish them all the best next season. Hopefully Big Sami will bring you just a slice of the joy he brought to all Liverpool Fans during his playing career. Great Captain, fantastic man. I wish him and Brighton all the best for next season. I’d like to think that, this time, Brighton will get an automactic spot. Figures crossed.
Most important thing is clearly that he won the champions league in 2005.
I thought he did a great job with Bayer, identified great young talent and brought them through playing some exciting football.
His team really under performed against United, granted, but they started the season so well and I believe the board thought that they might of had a chance to go further and challenge further in the Bundesliga. He effectively was the bringer of his own downfall which is unfortunete, clearly his team was playing well and with a squad that was so thin, the burn out was bound to happen.
I think he will prove himself a very good manager with Brighton and I wish them all the best next season. Hopefully Big Sami will bring you just a slice of the joy he brought to all Liverpool Fans during his playing career. Great Captain, fantastic man. I wish him and Brighton all the best for next season. I’d like to think that, this time, Brighton will get an automactic spot. Figures crossed.