Former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton was appointed Brighton manager on 31 December 2014, and in the three and a half years since then, Brighton have done brilliantly.
In Chris’ first full season in charge, they were beaten in the playoffs after they had finished in third place tied with Middlesbrough on points but had an inferior goal difference – of just 2 goals.
But finally, in May of last year, they were automatically promoted with Newcastle.
And Chris has done another terrific job this year to keep Brighton in England’s first tier.
The two popular managers shake hands
Chris has been given a new deal ty the Seagulls that keeps him on the south coast for the next three years – good for him and great for Brighton.
This is what Brighton Chairman Tony Bloom has said about one of the real gentlemen of the game:
Chris’s record as our manager is absolutely superb, he has been great for the club and his measured and calm approach brings out the very best in all around him.
Our first-ever Premier League season has been a brilliant experience for the club, with some iconic moments.
“Thos include an unforgettable night at the Amex against Manchester United to secure our Premier League status earlier this month .
Brighton have moved quickly to keep Chris at the Amex.
Chris deserved a new deal and he was nominated for Premier League Manager of the Year along with Rafa Benitez for the season just finished.
On the home front – why doesn’t Mike Ashley quickly accede to Rafa Benitez’ demands – after all they are for the good of the club – and sign him on a long-term deal at Newcastle.
Come on MIke – try to move quickly to keep Rafa at Newcastle – he’s our main (only) hope for the future.
Comments welcome.
213 comments so far
martoon
May 17, 2018 at 9:47 AM
Comment #201A bit doom & gloom this morning – I think Rafa will see out his contract but then might leave if nothing improves!
On a different note can people remember when Ed normally does the blog poll for player of the season – I thought he would have posted it by now?
lochinvar
May 17, 2018 at 9:48 AM
Comment #202*excude greatness
RobLeenio
May 17, 2018 at 9:49 AM
Comment #203Jib, Wayayman, you’re both talking sense in amongst some rampant hyperbole from some other posters. Rafa himself has said time is of no object, which suggests he is prepared to wait and see what happens. Why would he run off to Wet Spam just because they flutter their gaudily coloured eyelashes at him? He can hold out for the best deal offered by NUFC or he can wait for the ‘ideal’ job to come around or he can walk in 12 months’ time with his reputation intact at minimum, enhanced most likely.
Still, it would do my heart good to get it done soon so we don’t have to pay attention to this kind of speculation any longer.
Optimistic Panda
May 17, 2018 at 9:55 AM
Comment #204The Story about Rafa to West ham cane from 3 different outlets last night at the same time
Someone’s speaking to the press, question is who? West ham or Rafas people..
This is more than lazy journalism or one journo copying another
Ron Knee
May 17, 2018 at 9:55 AM
Comment #205RH
Yes, but offset that with what he did for WHam.
lochinvar
May 17, 2018 at 9:58 AM
Comment #206LittleH
Speak with Brick Top, he knows a thing or two
Munster Mag
May 17, 2018 at 10:01 AM
Comment #207Rob I think part of the concern is that West ham are not A new concept to him. He nearly joined there so will hsmave
Munster Mag
May 17, 2018 at 10:03 AM
Comment #208… Will have mulled over West ham, pro and con already. Hopefully just media noise
RobLeenio
May 17, 2018 at 10:04 AM
Comment #209Munster’s having his very own covfefe moment 😀
hibbit
May 17, 2018 at 10:08 AM
Comment #210i did say IF Rafa leaves
i personally don’t think he will leave this summer unless he’s forced out
i think people who don’t go to games for whatever reason have no idea of the opinions and feeling of those at the games and they express a very detached opinion while taking every opportunity to knock season ticket holders
the very same season ticket holders who encouraged Rafa at every oppertunity to stay in the first place
RobLeenio
May 17, 2018 at 10:11 AM
Comment #211Munster, sorry for the cheap jibe, only kidding. The fact that the Wet Spam links are there from previous is both a positive and a negative. He’s turned them down before (albeit for Real Madrid) so it’s more likely he’ll do it again. However, there was something which attracted him to the club in the first place.
I still don’t think he’ll go to West Ham, but this is all more pressure for Ashley to pull his beer-stinking digit out of his swollen behind and get the job done.
Of course, there is always a possibility that there is a deal agreed in principal just waiting for Ashley to come back to the UK for sign-off.
dig-n-dig22
May 17, 2018 at 10:11 AM
Comment #212Harry Redknapp has backed Rafa to take over at West Ham “TALKSPORT”,Redknapp is a big mate of Ashley’s. Also on TALKSPORT, it will cost West Ham £6Mill to buy Rafa out of his contract.
TyneMouth
May 17, 2018 at 10:29 AM
Comment #213Regarding West Ham’s stadium, it’s not a proper football ground, in the traditional English league tradition.
I’ve been there six times, two of then when it used for the Olympics in 2012, then it was a very good athletics stadium for a three week event.
Six years later, (and about a £375M spend) the stadium is less than adequate for top class football.
West Ham certainly have won the bargain of the century. Newham Council supply the ground maintenance, the matchplay workforce, security and criticality a big chunk of the stadium conversion finance!
Thank you, Boris Johnson, (Latin quote to follow)
In return for their ‘generosity’ Newham receive 15000 tickets for every match, hence the large attendance.
The West Ham fans hate the stadium, as much as they hate the owners! The recent on-field riots were not just about the football.
I can’t see Rafa even contemplating a move to this awful place, however the speculation may speed up the contract negotiations…