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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Brighton sack Melissa Phillips after 10 months</li><li>Mikey Harris to act as interim manager</li><li>Seagulls sit in 10th place in WSL</li></ul>

Brighton manager Melissa Phillips sacked after less than a year in charge ahead of WSL clash with Man Utd

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Brighton & Hove Albion Women

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In her first few months in charge, Phillips helped the south coast team avoid relegation from the Women's Super League, after signing a two-year contract. But although Brighton made a respectable summer spending spree that featured signings of Pauline Bremer, Maria Thorisdottir, and Vicky Losada, the team's performance this season has fallen short of expectations.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Melissa Phillips has left her position as women's head coach with immediate effect. Mikey Harris, supported by Owen Fisher, will take interim charge for the foreseeable future, supported by the current women’s first-team technical staff.— Brighton &amp; Hove Albion Women (@BHAFCWomen) <a href="https://twitter.com/BHAFCWomen/status/1753127330589917555?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

Britghton's technical director <a href="https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/3875814/phillips-leaves-head-coach-role" target="_blank">David Weir said to club media</a>: "This is not a decision which has been taken lightly, but we feel it is vital for the progress we want to see in the Women’s Super League. We have invested heavily in the women’s squad and infrastructure going into this season, and results and performances have not been at the level we had expected, given that investment. We would like to thank Melissa for her efforts and, on behalf of everyone at the club, we wish her well for the future."Women’s managing director Zoe Johnson added: "I would like to echo David’s words of thanks and wish Melissa well moving forward. The immediate priority is upcoming WSL, Conti Cup and FA Cup matches against Manchester United this Sunday, and Aston Villa and Wolves the following week; while also beginning the search for a permanent head coach."

WHAT BRIGHTON MANAGEMENT SAID

Mikey Harris, assisted by Owen Fisher, has been named temporary manager of the Seagulls for the foreseeable future. The Seagulls are currently in 10th place in the English Premier League and have only won once in their last six games. Harris, a UEFA Pro License coach, joins from the men's academy, where he oversaw the Under-21 and Under-18 squads. In his prior tenure with the team, Harris oversaw the Under-18 squad at Albion.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Harris will not have long to try and change things up for Brighton ahead of their match against Marc Skinner's Manchester United in the Women's Super League on Sunday, February 4.

WHAT NEXT FOR BRIGHTON?

Brighton manager Melissa Phillips sacked after less than a year in charge ahead of WSL clash with Man Utd | Goal.com United Arab Emirates

Brighton have announced they have sacked their head coach Melissa Phillips after less than 12 months in the role.