Brighton must decide whether to appoint another assistant head coach after Andrew Crofts completed his move to Tottenham Hotspur.
The search for an Andrew Crofts replacement at Brighton could lead to an internal promotion, a familiar former player or another specialist coach from Europe.
Crofts has reunited with Roberto De Zerbi after ending a seven-year coaching spell with Albion. Brighton confirmed that the clubs agreed compensation before Tottenham appointed him as an assistant head coach.
ReadBrighton previously covered Crofts’ expected reunion with De Zerbi. The official Brighton announcement has since confirmed his departure.
Fabian Hürzeler already has Jonas Scheuermann and Daniel Niedzkowski working as assistant head coaches. Brighton may therefore redistribute Crofts’ responsibilities instead of making a direct appointment.
Who could become Andrew Crofts’ replacement at Brighton?
1. Shannon Ruth
Ruth appears to be the strongest internal candidate after guiding Brighton’s Under-21s to the Premier League 2 title.
Crofts followed the same pathway before joining the senior setup under De Zerbi. Promoting Ruth would reward his development work and preserve continuity between the academy and Hürzeler’s first team.
2. James Milner
Milner would be the popular choice among supporters following his retirement in June.
Hürzeler regularly praised the former midfielder’s professionalism and leadership. ReadBrighton covered how Milner ended his career after making a record 658 Premier League appearances.
However, Milner previously indicated that he wanted a break before beginning his coaching career. Moving directly into a senior Premier League role would also represent a considerable first step.
3. Adam Lallana
Brighton have long recognised Lallana’s potential as a coach. He assisted Crofts when Albion required an interim management team following Graham Potter’s departure.
Lallana is now Southampton’s permanent Under-21 manager. Convincing him to leave shortly after accepting that position would be difficult, but his knowledge of Brighton’s structure makes him an obvious contender.
4. Tomer Hemed
Hemed returned to Brighton as an academy mentor before progressing into work with the Under-18s.
The former striker already understands the club and has experience guiding young players. Moving straight into Hürzeler’s senior staff may still come too soon at this stage of his coaching development.
Former Brighton figures offer experience
5. Mark McGhee
McGhee would provide the experienced voice Hürzeler lost when Crofts departed.
The former Brighton manager knows English football and could offer a contrasting perspective within a relatively young coaching staff. However, his appointment would represent a departure from Albion’s recent recruitment approach.
6. Fran Kirby
Kirby would be a bold and historic appointment. Her experience with England and Chelsea gives her an outstanding understanding of elite-level football.
She also provides leadership within Brighton Women’s squad. However, Kirby remains an active player, making an immediate move into the men’s first-team staff highly unlikely.
7. Expanded roles for Scheuermann and Niedzkowski
Brighton do not necessarily need another assistant. The club already employed three people with that title before Crofts left.
Scheuermann and Niedzkowski could divide his coaching responsibilities, with another specialist appointed in a different role. Albion’s current coaching structure provides Hürzeler with significant experience even after Crofts’ exit.
8. Another coach from Germany
Brighton could return to the European market and appoint someone with a previous connection to Hürzeler.
Scheuermann arrived after seven years with Augsburg, while Niedzkowski previously led the German Football Association’s coach-development programme. Albion may prioritise a particular skill set over a familiar name.
The original list also raised several more unconventional possibilities, but Ruth, Milner and an external specialist appear the most credible routes.
Ruth would represent Brighton’s established pathway, while Milner could preserve the leadership Crofts provided around the first team. An external appointment may offer the specialist tactical knowledge Hürzeler wants.
Brighton do not need to rush their decision. The strongest Andrew Crofts replacement at Brighton may ultimately be an internal reshuffle rather than another assistant carrying the same title.
