Kirby ‘stressed’ by abrupt Vidosic exit from Brighton
Former England striker Fran Kirby said she felt “stressed” and “disappointed” after Brighton’s head coach Dario Vidosic left the club just before the start of the 2024‑25 season. Vidosic, who guided Brighton to their first FA Cup final and a club‑record fifth‑place finish in the Women’s Super League, resigned on 28 August, nine days before the team’s opening match against Arsenal. The same day, Real Sociedad boss Arturo Ruiz, then 29, was appointed as his replacement.
Kirby discussed the sudden change on the Women’s Football Weekly podcast, saying, “It wasn’t easy when I heard, I was a bit disappointed. I had a really good relationship with Dario and think he’s a fantastic coach who can achieve amazing things with top clubs.” She added that the timing of the change left the squad “stressed” ahead of the Arsenal game, noting that they had not yet trained under Ruiz.
Brighton’s season began with a loss to Arsenal, the only match the Gunners have won so far in the league, and the team failed to pick up points in their next three league fixtures under Ruiz. The new manager secured his first WSL victory before the international break, a 5‑1 demolition of newly promoted Charlton Athletic. This Sunday the Seagulls travel to champions Manchester City, who have won all five of their league games, for a match broadcast on BBC Two at 14:30 BST. It will be the first meeting between the sides since City’s 4‑0 FA Cup final win in May.
Kirby acknowledged the difficulty of the start, saying, “We’re under no illusions – it’s been a tough start. Getting the manager in so late and trying to adapt to his style of play is difficult when it comes so close to the start of the season.” She added that the team is trying not to overthink the upcoming clash with City.
Under Vidosic, Brighton built a reputation for dominating possession, a tactic that placed them among the top three clubs for ball control in his first season, behind only Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. The side also led the league in fouls and yellow cards in both the 2024‑25 and 2025‑26 campaigns. Women’s football journalist Annabel Bassett of The Brighton Base described them as “a team that could soak up pressure, build from the back, overload the midfield and pose a real goal threat.” That approach helped them reach the FA Cup final, where they were eventually overrun.
Ruiz’s appointment brings a different philosophy. Bassett noted that his emphasis on “nullifying opponents” includes winning the ball high and using the flanks to create space centrally. She said, “He seems really willing to try things and the message from the club is that behind the scenes, everything is working.” Ruiz himself expressed optimism, telling BBC Sport, “I’m really happy with the performances and the work we have been doing. The beginning is very difficult without previous time to build identity and clarity. I hope that from this Sunday we can be more solid and have more consistency and clarity with and without the ball.”
Brighton’s early league form saw them drop points against Birmingham City and Aston Villa despite solid displays, though two League Cup victories offered some encouragement. Kirby said the team still wants to play an attacking brand of football but is now focused on “harming the opposition quicker,” adding, “There was an element previously where we overplayed when we could have gone forward. It’s hard to change the mindset quickly, but we’ve got a great group of people. I’m very black and white. Tell me what you want and I’ll do my best for you.”
Facing a Manchester City side that has set a club record with 15 consecutive home wins, Kirby remained realistic: “They’re a quality side. You can nullify one player but then they’ve got another two or three. But we’ve got quality that can harm teams. Hopefully, we can put on a good performance.”